It is a pleasure and honor to serve as the principal of Costello Elementary School. Spend a few moments talking to or stepping into one of our classrooms and you will feel the passion for learning and the desire our teachers have to help every student reach success.
Costello is one of twelve elementary schools in the Troy School District. We are the second smallest elementary in Troy. Our Superintendent, Dr. Richard Machesky, has worked closely with the Teaching and Learning Department to set a clear vision for all of our schools. Our mission is to ensure learning for all students through focusing direction, deepening learning, and collaboration.
Over the past five years Costello teachers have been studying and applying the work of Ron Ritchhart. Dr. Richhart is an educational researcher and author and his work focuses on developing thoughtful learning environments for students and teachers. Costello is a place where thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted. The work of Cultures of Thinking is embedded into all of our content from reading to art.
Beyond academic learning we want our students give back to our community by serving others. Our fourth and fifth grade student council will lead this work beyond the walls of Costello through community outreach projects. However, we grow student leaders starting in kindergarten. We have learned that if we give students opportunities and ownership, within a structure, amazing things can happen.
Our PTO wants all of our families to feel connected. Beyond fundraising to supplement our programs our PTO organizes fun social events like restaurant nights, skating parties, and the Costello Fair. The work that our PTO engages in serves a model for our students. Collecting items for care packages to send to our military troops, providing for those less fortunate in our community, donating to Locks of Love, etc. are just a few ways that we include everyone in serving others.
A little background about me, I have been an educator since 1994. I started my teaching career in Missouri where I served as an elementary teacher, literacy coach, principal, and assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. I am devoted to learning and enjoy reading about new instructional practices to support students in all aspects of their education. I completed my doctorate degree in May of 2015.
Our family relocated to Michigan in 2012. My husband is also in education. We have three busy children. Dominick is a junior, Natalie is a sophomore, and Nikko is a 7th grader. When I am not at Costello you might find me driving my kids around or cheering for them at hockey, diving, or lacrosse!
Think big, start small, is one of my favorite quotes. The key word is START! Until we jump in we won’t know where to go next. Looking forward to diving in and partnering with you and your family to make this an amazing year!