South Salem Welcomes Newest Principal

Port Washington Union Free School District’s Board of Education appointed the newest principal of South Salem Elementary School at a meeting on Wednesday.

Pia Linda Sanchez will replace Christopher Shields, who served as South Salem’s principal for the past 11 years. Shields started his new role as principal of Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School on July 1.

Sanchez is no stranger to the Port Washington Union Free School District. She served as assistant principal of Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School since 2011, where she oversaw the evaluation of teachers. Before that, she served as a school counselor in the middle school for eight years.

“During her time in Port Washington, Pia Sanchez has proven she is both an effective leader and communicator,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Mooney said in a statement. “I am confident that her experience working at Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School will provide a solid foundation for a seamless transition to South Salem Elementary School.”

Sanchez is working on her doctorate in educational leadership at Hofstra University. She also holds a certificate of advanced study in education from SUNY Stony Brook, a Master of Science in school counseling from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Adelphi University.

Photo courtesy of the Port Washington Union Free School District