New principal brings passion for special education and supporting families
New York City schools veteran will oversee St. Matthew’s, Valhalla Center
The new principal at St. Matthew’s School and Valhalla Center, Ms. Dinzey joins Southern Westchester BOCES after several years in teaching and administrative positions with the New York City Department of Education. She brings to her new role experience as a special education teacher, a team leader and for the last two years an assistant principal.
“I love special education,” she says. “That’s the heart of the work I’ve always done.”
As principal, she’ll oversee two teams of educators and locations that are home to a range of programs under SWBOCES’ Center for Special Services. She is confident her holistic approach to addressing students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs is a strong fit with the philosophy of SWBOCES programs. She is committed to their focus on creating a supportive, inclusive, and enriching environment for all students.
“I’m excited about the community piece,” she added, noting that students from both locations have opportunities to pursue work-based learning through a range of business and community partnerships. “I’m excited to be a part of programs that really prepare our students with the abilities they’ll need to thrive in the community.”
A mother of two young children, Ms. Dinzey enjoys reading, hiking with her husband and children, and being active in her church and Sunday school.
Prior to working in education, she was an investigator for the Department of Children’s Services, which also put her in a position to assist children and families with heightened needs. In each new role, she says, she learned, and came to appreciate, the value of developing relationships with families.
“You become a part of what the solution is,” she says.
