Comstock Park — Robin Picarazzi is the new principal of Stoney Creek Elementary. SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.
Robin Picarazzi was looking for a new position closer to home after more than four years as an instructional coach in Greenville Public Schools. When she met with the interviewing team at Comstock Park, made up of principals, teachers and administrators, she said she was immediately impressed by the warmth and the community spirit.
“The feeling I got was something very, very unique,” Picarazzi said. She knew it was a position she wanted and was honored that the team wanted her to be a part of Comstock Park schools.
“This could be a long-term home.”
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
- Master’s degree in education from Western Governors University
Other positions you have held in education:
- Instructional coach, Greenville Public Schools
- Fourth grade teacher, Lowell Area Schools
What about jobs outside of education? Picarazzi played forward on the field hockey team in college and one of her first jobs was working for the athletic director. After college she helped her dad, a lifelong entrepreneur, run a restaurant in Ormond Beach, Florida, for about seven years.
What would you like to share about your family? Her husband, Brian, was in the 82nd Airborne; upon leaving the military he landed a job with the federal government which brought them to Michigan. They live in NE Grand Rapids with their four daughters: Emma, 11th grade; Ella, 9th grade; Lou, first grade; and Frankie, age three.
What kind of kid were you as an elementary student? “I was the youngest in the family. I was super happy. I loved school and enjoyed the attention I got in school. My older brother was in the same building, which was a cool factor.”
The biggest lesson you have learned from students is… “It’s important to take the time to know each kid and their personal situation. I want to get to know them on a level that’s unique to them and the challenges they face, so that I can help.”
If you could go back to school, which grade would you return to? “I would go back to upper elementary … you’re still meeting a lot of new friends. They still think teachers are super fun.”
If you walked into your new school building to theme music by a favorite artist or band, what would it be? “I’m a pretty big country music fan…I like all music, really. Something inspiring to make students excited and pumped.”
