On Aug 8., South Colonie Board of Education will officially appoint William Luke as the new building principal at Forest Park Elementary. With an impressive educational background and extensive experience, Luke is set to lead the school beginning mid-August.
Luke’s career in education includes most recently serving as the assistant principal at Acadia Middle School in Shenendehowa Central School District since July 2018. During his tenure, he demonstrated instructional leadership and a deep understanding of child and adolescent development, empowering students to achieve academic growth. Luke played a key role in facilitating Acadia’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and provided valuable support to the special education department, overseeing three special education programs—8:1:3, 12:1:4 and 12:1:2. Additionally, he served as a lead and independent evaluator extending his impact to teachers at the K-5 level.
Prior to his role at Acadia Middle School, Luke served as a 6th grade teacher at Sand Creek Middle School for 11 years and following a successful administrative internship there, Luke assumed the role of associate principal for the South Colonie summer school program in 2017. This experience allowed him to further develop his leadership skills and gain valuable insights into school administration. The following academic year, Luke served as the administrative dean at Sand Creek.
”We are delighted to welcome Bill back to South Colonie as building principal for Forest Park,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Perry. “His impressive educational background coupled with his experience at both South Colonie and Shen make him an exceptional addition to our leadership team. His ability to promote academic achievement, positive student behavior, and a strong sense of community aligns perfectly with South Colonie’s values and mission.”
Luke’s educational journey reflects his dedication to continuous learning and professional growth. He holds a B.A. in Music from SUNY Oswego and an M.S. in Childhood Education from The College of Saint Rose. Additionally, Luke holds his certification in School Building Leadership from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Apart from his teaching and administrative duties, Luke has been actively involved in various coaching roles and committees that reflect his commitment to community engagement and youth development.
“I am delighted and honored to rejoin the South Colonie Central School District and become part of the Forest Park Elementary school community,” said Luke. “South Colonie holds a special place in my heart, and I am genuinely excited to meet and collaborate with Forest Park’s dedicated faculty, staff, parents, and, above all, our exceptional students.”
Luke will be working closely with the administrative team and staff on the transition. He will be replacing Jill Penn who has accepted a new role as building principal of Lisha Kill Middle School.