Lindsey Caccavale has been called “mom” on more than one occasion. She has a 3-year-old son, Parker, and a 1-year-old daughter named Colette.
Beside occasions with her own kids, she said that being called “mom” repeatedly is a part of her job that might surprise people. To her, it means something.
It means that her role – and the roles of teachers at Dare Elementary School where she just started as principal – goes beyond just being an administrator.
“We wear lots of hats – teachers, caregivers, parents,” she said.
Caccavale did not always expect to be wearing those hats. In fact, she originally started school at James Madison University with the goal of becoming a psychologist. When it came to choosing a minor she followed the example of her mother, who was a principal, and picked up education.
“From that point on, I wanted to be a teacher,” she said.
After she graduated college in 2003, she got her start at Dare Elementary School teaching kindergartners, and first- and third-graders. In 2008, she earned her master’s degree in educational policy, planning and leadership at the College of William & Mary.
Her husband, Bryan, was soon offered a job in Baltimore. She packed up to follow him.
She would re-enter the world of education teaching second-graders at Stoneleigh Elementary in Towson, Md., where she eventually became assistant principal.
In 2012 — and two weeks from delivering her second child — Caccavale moved back to York County after her husband received a job offer in the area. She entered a contract with the Poquoson City Public Schools to work from home and develop language arts curriculum for elementary students.
One year later, she started back where she began in education: Dare Elementary. This time, she took the role as principal.
Throughout her relocations, pregnancy and different jobs, Caccavale said one career memory sticks out. It’s a conversation she overheard between a parent and one of her students.
“Who are Mrs. Caccavale’s favorites?” the parent asked.
“Mrs. Caccavale doesn’t have any favorites,” the student answered.
Caccavale said it reminds her to be fair with students. But being fair does not always mean a hands-on approach.
Take her disciplinary strategy: Caccavale said it is often better left in the classroom. Because of the close and constant proximity of teachers to the students, Caccavale said she believes in many cases, discipline is better handled by teachers until it gets serious.
“If someone would be hurt or with any physical act, I have to intervene,” she said.
If she prefers intervention for physical altercations, she prefers prevention for the non-physical brand: cyberbullying.
Though cyberbullying is not as big of a problem in elementary schools as it in later years of education, Caccavale said she believes in nipping the problem in the bud.
“We’re a ‘bring-your-own-tech’ school,” she said. “We believe in teaching students how to use technology but how to be good citizens while using it.”
The York County School Board approved Caccavale’s appointment as principal in June. Since then, she’s been preparing for the upcoming school year, which begins next week.
“It’s been fun jumping back into things,” she said.
