By:Jacky Gerzema
Plans to focus on students' issues
Susan Knors has set some pretty lofty goals for herself as the new principal of Baldwin Senior High School. She wants to change the world - one student at a time.
During an interview last week, Knors said that working in education is both the most challenging and rewarding job she can imagine. Tackling students' issues, problems and ideas will be some of her main goals as principal.
"People say educators and those working in the education field can't change the world," Knors said. "But, we can; in little ways we change the world every day."
While she has no immediate changes in curriculum or programming in mind, Knors plans to make sure students know she is available and ready to make the hard decisions.
Knors was appointed by the Board of Education last week to fill the position left open when Jeffrey Hollman was promoted to assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. The transition takes place early this month. Because of Knors' promotion and the departure of fellow assistant principal Jill Gold who has taken a district office position in Valley Stream, the new principal will first focus on filling out her staff.
Hollman said Knors was the first person he hired in his first year as principal.
"She has an absolutely comprehensive understanding of this big, complicated place," Hollman said. "Her biggest strength is as an instructional leader. She has a special education background and with that she is very capable of helping teachers deal with a broad range of students with different learning levels and educational backgrounds."
The decision to promote Knors also met the approval of Stella Safo, salutatorian of the Class of 2001.
"I adore Susan Knors," Safo said. "She is the most genuinely caring person and she's also really humble and modest. As an administrator who has to make and delegate rules and regulations, she still has insight. She really thinks about the students."
Safo added that the only thing she is worried about is that Knors will actually work herself too hard.
A constant enthusiasm for her work has always driven Knors to reach for the next level. She began her career at Jamaica High School as a special education teacher and worked for the Queens High School superintendent before finally settling in Baldwin.
Knors joined the high school staff in 1996 as the dean of students and spent the last two years as assistant principal, a position sure to help in the coming months.
Anne Hanoi, parent and vice president of legislation of BSHS' Parent Teacher Student Association, said she doesn't know Knors well, but everything she has heard has been positive.
"I know her and remember her when she was dean of students and I'm sure she would do a good job," said Dori Nolan, parent and vice president of Ways and Means of the PTSA. "I've seen her at homecoming parades and other events and she's always out there doing things for the school."
Knors holds a bachelor's degree in education and history, and has a master's in special education and a certificate in administration and supervision, all from Queens College.
