For Sarah Kwasnicka, Assistant Principal of Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Canton, serving the greater good is top of mind.
“I want to see everyone succeed. It is my mission to not only advocate for all students, but it is also my mission to help develop all educators to be confident in their craft. I think it is so important to pour into the people around us,” she says.
Kwasnicka is now in her third year at Summit Academy. She served as a data coach at both Summit Academy – Canton schools for the past two years. As the new assistant principal for Canton Elementary, Kwasnicka oversees the day-to-day operations of the school, which involves building and maintaining relationships with families, developing staff by supporting their professional goals, and helping maintain a positive school environment for students and staff, among other responsibilities.
With an undeniable can-do spirit and strong belief in Summit Academy’s mission, Kwasnicka says, “All students can learn. We just need to figure out how to reach them, and that is what Summit is all about, creating opportunities for all students to succeed.”
For Kwasnicka, that conviction took root years ago. As a third grader, Kwasnicka says she was particularly impressed by her teacher at
the time, one who demonstrated a belief her students; that if given the right support, every student can thrive.
“She was the most amazing teacher. She was the first teacher who I felt really tried to reach every single student. Ever since then, I wanted to be the teacher that students remembered. I wanted to be the teacher that reaches every student,” she says. “I have remained in education because my passion is still about reaching as many students as I can.’
Kwasnicka graduated cum laude from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in education (Early Childhood). She later earned her K-12 Reading Endorsement from Walsh University.
Passionate about making memories with her loved ones, Kwasnicka and her husband, Tyler, and their children, Greyson, Hudson and Oaklyn, can be found spending family time together, near and far, at the local pumpkin patch or zoo, or vacationing at beach.
“They are my biggest support system and the reason I strive to be better every day,” she says.