Wantagh's Hope Rencher named assistant principal at Nassau BOCES Center for Community Adjustment

Hope Rencher, the new assistant principal for the Nassau BOCES Center for Community Adjustment, is a Wantagh resident excited to reach out and help students on the autism spectrum.

Rencher has worked in education for nearly 15 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and linguistics, as well as a master’s degree in teaching students with speech, language and hearing impairments.

“I’ve worked really closely with teachers to make environmental changes in the classroom to support the students,” Rencher said. “That’s when I realized I was most effective when I worked with the teachers.”

Since her appointment as assistant principal, Rencher has focused on improving teacher effectiveness and student outcomes by bringing something new to the table. By having fresh eyes on students, Rencher says she’s able to see how to push their skills and help them with their career goals.

Rencher is using literacy programs, such as Wilson Foundations, School Based Reading Development Inventories, First Author Curriculum, and Readtopia, to keep students intrigued in literacy.

“How do we get them to read for enjoyment in the future and keep learning and enhance their skills?” Rencher said. “It’s very easy in our current world to go home and decompress with an iPad, so how can we make sure that our students are always expanding their horizon?”

With the establishment of inquiry groups and professional learning programs, Rencher has increased her involvement with faculty, students and families. For her, the role is about being supportive by building relationships with staff, students and their families.

She works with faculty who focus on helping students become successful in the workforce.

“How could individuals with special needs and disabilities add to (the workplace)?” Rencher asked. “If I go to a store or a restaurant…I’m thinking from an inclusive perspective now.”

While Rencher is working in and out of the office, she is still getting to know the rest of the CCA staff.

“It’s a lot of new people to get to know, but I am taking my time and getting to know everybody, getting to know the families and making sure that everybody is comfortable with me,” Rencher said. “I want to make sure that I have an open-door policy for staff and students. I want to overcome those challenges by being a good listener and a clear communicator.”

Rencher’s goals are simple: help faculty, students and families become successful in the workforce and in life.

Rencher says her focus is on helping students develop the functional life skills they need to thrive as they transition out of the school system and into the community. She aims to ensure they are well-prepared to become successful members of society.