Spotlight: Suzy Cáceres, Assistant Principal, West Middle Island Elementary School

The Longwood Central School District proudly recognizes Suzy Cáceres, Assistant Principal at West Middle Island Elementary School, whose leadership, compassion, and expertise have already made a powerful impression on students, staff, and families alike. Drawing on more than a decade of experience as both an instructional leader and bilingual educator, Mrs. Cáceres brings a deep commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and academic excellence that perfectly reflects the heart of the Longwood community.

Before joining Longwood, Mrs. Cáceres served as Assistant Principal in the Freeport School District, where she oversaw building operations, master scheduling, and professional learning while championing restorative practices that strengthened school climate and student engagement. She previously taught in Hicksville Public Schools and the New York City Department of Education, where her bilingual instruction, curriculum design, and family-outreach programs earned districtwide recognition. A frequent presenter at NYSABE and NYSTESOL conferences, Mrs. Cáceres has also contributed to professional publications on digital-age learning for multilingual students.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Cáceres has been guided by a belief that strong schools begin with strong relationships. She has created parent groups that amplify family voices, built partnerships with community organizations to provide critical resources, and led professional learning communities focused on inclusive instruction and language development. Her leadership consistently blends innovation with care, ensuring that every student is seen, supported, and celebrated.

“Mrs. Cáceres is a wonderful addition to our Longwood leadership team,” said Dr. Lohman, Superintendent of Schools. “Her background in bilingual education, her thoughtful leadership, and her commitment to ensuring that every student and family feels supported make her an incredible asset to our district.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have Mrs. Cáceres joining our West family,” added Dr. Gretchen Schaentzler, Principal of West Middle Island Elementary School. “Her prior experience as both an assistant principal and an ENL teacher has already proven to be an incredible asset to all of our families. Mrs. Cáceres has a natural willingness to jump in wherever needed, is eager to learn, and shows a true love for helping students and families. Her energy and dedication are already making a positive impact as she develops strong and lasting bonds within our West Middle Island community.”

Mrs. Cáceres holds a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University, a Master of Science in Bilingual Childhood Education from CUNY City College of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Languages and Literature from Stony Brook University. She is certified as a School Building Leader, School District Leader, and Bilingual Childhood Education (Grades 1–6) teacher.

Through her leadership and bilingual expertise, Suzy Cáceres continues to enrich the West Middle Island community, strengthening connections between students, families, and the classroom in ways that embody Longwood’s spirit of inclusivity and excellence.