This summer, we welcomed three educators to the Watervliet City School District’s leadership team.
- Michael Lopez was named an assistant principal at Watervliet Jr-Sr. High School.
- Meg Maset was appointed assistant principal at Watervliet Elementary School.
- Rebecca LaForest was selected for the new position of Coordinator of Student Support Services.
All three are excited for the school year to begin and are prepared to make a positive impact on our school community. In their new roles, they aim to inspire, educate and challenge every student, every day!
Read about Mr. Lopez │ Read about Mrs. Maset │ Read about Ms. LaForest
WJSHS welcomes Assistant Principal Michael Lopez
Interesting fact about Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School Assistant Principal Michael Lopez – in college he switched his major from education to advertising – and a Tom Hanks movie played a “big” role in that decision.
“I originally went for my bachelor’s degree in education; however, I was always interested in advertising and after watching the movie “Big,” I decided that was what I wanted to do,” he recently shared. “I switched my major after my sophomore year, and worked in advertising/product development in New York City for five years.”
He later decided to pursue a career in education because he “wanted to be part of something that had a positive impact in helping people, specifically students, become better versions of themselves” and “to feel part of a school community.”
Mr. Lopez earned a Master’s degree in Education at Dowling College, and his administrator certification at UAlbany. He has been an educator for 12 years — teaching high school social studies for four years, and middle school social studies for another four years, before serving as an assistant principal at Albany High School for the past four years.
Mr. Lopez looks forward meeting and getting to know the students and their families, the staff, and becoming an active member in the Watervliet City Schools community.
“My goals right now are to learn as much as possible to be successful in my role [as assistant principal] and what it means to be a Cannoneer,” he said. “Also, to do whatever I can to help grow the Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School.”
Five Questions with Michael Lopez
What activities do you enjoy in your free time?
My number 1 is spending time with my kids. I also enjoy coaching their sports teams, fishing or spending time on a lake, watching sports (Go Bills!), and anything I can use my creativity for.
How about children or pets?
I have two children. My daughter Luciana, who just turned 9, and my son MJ who is 5 and going into kindergarten. I also have a golden doodle named Rocky, a few fish, and just recently a turtle.
What is your favorite book (or current book that you are reading)?
“Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls.
What makes you laugh?
Pretty much anything has the chance of making me laugh.
Any other thoughts you would like to share with the school community and Watervliet families?
I am so excited to start the school year and to get to know the students, their families, and the staff at Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School.
WES welcomes Assistant Principal Meg Maset
As the child of a social worker, Meg Maset assistant principal at Watervliet Elementary School said she always had a passion for the public service field and that led her to education.
Mrs. Maset earned a B.A. in English Literature from Messiah College, an M.S. in Adolescent Secondary Education from SUNY Albany, and a School Building Leader Certificate from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). She is currently pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in School Building Leadership at MCLA.
Mrs. Maset has been an educator for 12 years. For the past five years, she taught at Bethlehem Central School District. Before that she taught English at Cambridge Central Schools for four years and Shenendehowa Central School District for one year. She began her career as a substitute teacher in several Capital Region schools.
Mrs. Maset is looking forward to building relationships with students and families.
“My immediate goal is to bring 110 percent to Watervliet Elementary every day,” she said.
Five Questions with Meg Maset
What activities do you enjoy in your free time?
Renovating my house, book club, baking, and traveling
Family, children, pets?
I have a husband, Seth, and a 2-year-old daughter, Aria Jane.
What is your favorite book (or current book that you are reading)?
That is like asking me to choose a favorite child! One of my favorites is “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte.
What makes you laugh?
My daughter, 90s sitcoms and Katherine Hepburn movies.
Any other thoughts you would like to share with the school community and Watervliet families?
Just that I am very happy to be here! 🙂
Welcome Rebecca LaForest, Student Support Services Coordinator
Coordinator of Student Support Services Rebecca LaForest aspired to be an educator since childhood playing the role of “teacher” to a classroom of teddy bears and other stuffed toys.
“I remember playing ‘school’ as a kid; taking attendance, making worksheets, and helping my students (my stuffed animals) learn content,” she said. “And, I haven’t turned back since!”
An educator since 2006, Ms. LaForest has woven a tapestry of degrees and instructional experiences — having earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary math education from SUNY New Paltz, then attaining a Master’s in Education for Adolescent Students with Disabilities from City University of New York (CUNY) Lehman in the Bronx. She also holds a Master’s of Science in Nanoscale Engineering from UAlbany and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in Education Leadership. Her certifications are many including: School District Leader (SDL), School Building Leader (SBL), Coordinator of Work-Based Learning, Teacher Education and Training, Math, Technology and Students with Disabilities. Ms. LaForest added that she has also taken many other independent study courses that interest her.
Most recently, Ms. LaForest served as the Career Education Coordinator for the Cohoes City School District. In that role, she was responsible for the planning and implementation of a career awareness and readiness program, which included coordinating opportunities for job shadowing, internships and work-based experiences for students with area businesses. Prior to that, she taught middle school math, self-contained special education, technology and college-level science courses to high school students. Her professional experiences outside of education include case management and working in a cleanroom.
In her new position with the district, she looks forward to building relationships with students and helping them identify and develop strategies for their futures based on their individual strengths and interests.
“My goal is to get to know students and their families, and to support students in completing school and successfully transitioning to their post-secondary lives,” she said.
Five Questions with Rebecca LaForest
What activities do you enjoy in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy camping, kayaking, gardening, being in nature, and spending time with my friends and family.
Any children or pets?
I’m a certified foster parent and do respite for youth in foster care. I’m also a cat-mom 🙂
What is your favorite book (or current book that you are reading)?
My favorite book is “Brown Bear” by Bill Martin to read with the little ones. I enjoy reading articles on a variety of topics including Career & Technical education and changes in the employment landscape, but the next book on my list is ‘Think Again’ by Adam Grant.
What makes you laugh?
Puns, Dad Jokes and hearing others laugh. Laughter is contagious!
Any other thoughts you would like to share with the school community and Watervliet families?
I am excited to join the ‘Vliet community in this new role for the district! I am energetic, open-minded, creative and willing to learn, so please reach out to let me know how I can support you, your students or just to say hello!