Shari Lontrato has served as the principal of Woestina Elementary School since September 2003.  Prior to that time, she spent three years as the dean of students for both Mariaville and Woestina Elementary Schools while serving as a class size reduction teacher at Mariaville.

Before joining Schalmont, Lontrato spent a year as a special education teacher and chairperson of the Committee on Preschool Special Education in Mohonasen Central School District. From 1993 to 1999, she was a special education and language arts teacher at Voorheesville Elementary School in Voorheesville, NY. She spent two summers during that time period as a special education teacher at Schonowe Preschool in Schenectady, NY. From 1992 to 1993, she was a special education teacher at Whispering Pines Preschool in Cobleskill, NY.  Lontrato also spent one year at Shaker Junior High School in the North Colonie School District teaching seventh- and eighth-grade science.   

Lontrato earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland in 1990 and a master’s degree from Russell Sage College in 1994. She later earned certification in educational administration from the College of St. Rose in 2000. She also received permanent certification for school district administrator (SDA), school administrator and supervisor (SAS), special education N-12, reading N-12, biology and general science education 7-12, and elementary education N-6 from the NYS Education Department.

Her current professional memberships include the International Reading Association, Capital District Association for Women Administrators, National Association of Elementary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Phi Delta Kappa. She has served as a past eastern regional director of the NYS Reading Association and on the board of the Albany City Area Reading Council.

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