Parkdale Elementary School is delighted to welcome Stacey Koch as our new Assistant Principal! Bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the East Aurora School District, she is excited to partner with our families, faculty, and community to continue Parkdale’s tradition of excellence.
A Career Dedicated to East Aurora
When asked what most excited her about joining the Parkdale team, the answer was immediate: the people. Having worked for the East Aurora School District since 2006, Stacey knows Parkdale as a "school of excellence" and looks forward to supporting its wonderful initiatives while bringing fresh ideas and insight.
A Journey Through Education:
Her professional career began at Erie 2 BOCES, teaching in a Special Education program. Stacey's journey in East Aurora started in 2006, where she was initially hired to co-teach seventh-grade ELA, Math, and Science.
She describes moving to the elementary level as a dream opportunity, where she taught every grade from Kindergarten through 4th grade (except first grade!) as a special education teacher. She then returned to the Middle School, where she took on roles that brought her some of her most "rewarding moments":
Advisor to the EAMS Student Council
Lead for the EAMS Special Education Department
A core member of the Restorative Practices team, where they developed a program, trained student leaders, and created "community days" to connect students and faculty through community circles.
Educational Philosophy and Vision:
For Stacey Koch, the most important element for a successful elementary school environment is simple: students should feel valued. “They should feel a sense of belonging while learning to navigate challenges in a positive way.” She views the faculty, parents and the community as partners in a child’s education. "We all want the same thing, for our students to thrive and achieve their greatest potential," she explains. By forming early partnerships and leveraging community support, she believes we open ourselves up to "limitless potential."
First-Year Goals
Stacey's immediate focus is on intentional listening. She affirms, "My first goal is to listen intently," seeking to understand and identify areas of critical need before establishing her primary focus. Additionally, she is eager to contribute her extensive special education expertise to Parkdale's strong Student Support Team, ensuring that all students' needs are comprehensively addressed.
Favorite Subject & Grade
While she loves aspects of all grade levels, Stacey is currently excited to work with Pre-K at Parkdale. She finds it incredible to see students "learning and engaging through play" in the warm, caring environments teachers have created. She is also looking forward to working closely with the 4th graders and sharing some of her Middle School expertise to help ease their transition to the next level.
Fun Facts & Personal Side
What’s something that may surprise you about Stacey? The Parkdale community might be surprised to learn that she originally set her sights on becoming a clinical psychologist. Although she grew up loving school, had parents who were educators and even enjoyed playing school with her siblings, she was determined to form her own unique path. However, a pivotal experience as a Teaching Assistant at Buffalo State inspired her to change course. This love of learning remains enduring; after earning multiple advanced degrees, Stacey shares, "Chances are I will be back to school again. I love to learn!"
When it comes to childhood memories, her favorite story is The Night Before Christmas—a classic choice that reflects her family’s strong tradition of celebrating holidays and birthdays.
Outside of Parkdale, Stacey cherishes her free time. She loves cheering on her four sons at their sporting events (with hockey and lacrosse being family favorites!). She enjoys reading, traveling and attending her monthly book club. Above all, she is profoundly fueled by music—whether she's listening to it in the car, "fumbling around" with her guitar, or experiencing a performance live.
We are incredibly proud to welcome Stacey to a leadership role at Parkdale and look forward to her positive and dedicated impact. We are exceptionally pleased to welcome Stacey into a leadership capacity at Parkdale and anticipate her positive and dedicated contribution.