By Crystal Hayduk
Stacie Battaglia, principal of South Meadows (SM) Elementary School, loves her work. She’s an active mentor to her staff and she enjoys connecting with her third- through fifth-grade students in a variety of ways.
But after serving the Chelsea School District for 23 years—11 as an administrator—she will retire at the close of this school year.
“I still love what I do,” said Battaglia. “It’s bittersweet, but it’s the right time.”
Battaglia and her husband, Bob, moved from Chelsea several months ago after living here for 28 years. All the pieces fell into place to be closer to their first grandchild. “It’s life-changing and I’m so excited to be able to help my daughter and spend time with my grandson,” she said. “Although it’s not the reason I’m retiring now, it made the decision easier.”
Battaglia holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Wayne State University. She taught in a Catholic school from 1989-1993, and then took some time away from work following the birth of her first child. “I started subbing here when Jessi was in kindergarten and Jordan was in preschool,” she said. “From the moment I started subbing in the Chelsea School District, I knew it was a good place to send our daughters.”
She was hired as a fifth-grade teacher, where she stayed until she became principal in 2013.
Battaglia had a lifelong desire to be a teacher and then a principal. Her parents were her first supporters, as well as an aunt who had taken the path from teacher to principal.
In addition to family, Battaglia said she has learned from many people throughout her career, and many who have influenced who she became as an administrator. “When I started as an administrator, I was very lucky to have Marcus Kaemming as principal at North Creek,” she said. “He was by my side from day one. He’s been my person here. It’s not easy to move from teaching to this job, especially in the same building. Relationships become different. You feel alone. Marcus made an impact because he was there for any questions and support.
“As you learn the job and the role, you need to have someone in the building, too. Diana Salazar, our school social worker, has been my right hand for when I needed moments of clarity about handling a situation. I feel so blessed in this school.”
People and relationships are at the heart of what Battaglia has strived to build at SM. “This place, this job, is not about me,” said Battaglia. “I’m most proud of the community here, and you can’t do that without the staff. I hired more people in my first two years as principal than had been hired collectively in the 10 years before that. This is ‘my staff.’ I am very proud of their work ethic, of their belief in the vision that I knew could happen here. I’m proud of South Meadows as a whole. It runs because we all do what’s best for the kids.”
Education has changed in many ways over the last 35 years. Battaglia said curriculum changed from having all students read the same story, for example, to formulating individualized content for students.
The internet and social media have also changed how teaching can be done. AI is the current factor affecting education. Battaglia said although she is forward-facing and understands the need for change, she still likes paper and pencil and face-to-face interactions. “The relationship side of what we do—especially in elementary school—is so important,” she said.
Katie Spisich and Andrea Bavineau are literary specialists who have worked with Battaglia at SM for nine and 14 years, respectively.
Spisich said she’s learned that relationships are the top priority. “Dedicating the time to build strong relationships in a school community is the key to unlocking the greatest outcomes for our students and staff,” she said.
Bavineau admires Battaglia’s style of leading with passion and compassion. “She loves her staff like family and they feel it,” said Bavineau. “She has been a consistent beacon, voice of reason, and reflective partner in our shared purpose as educators—prioritizing what is best for our students above all else.”
Salazar said Battaglia continues to learn and grow as she leads with an “unwavering conviction” and her “energy has engendered renewed spirit in many staff members throughout her time as our building leader.”
Salazar said Battaglia’s legacy includes the work she did to build trust among the staff, students, and families. “Utilizing best practices, teaching curriculum with fidelity, and encouraging critical thinking have always been at the forefront,” she said. Her partnership with staff to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at SM was profound as it became a schoolwide principle. “Every student and staff member [here] can tell you we strive to make respectful, responsible, safe, and kind choices,” said Salazar. “More recently, these guiding principles paved an easy transition for incorporating the Portrait of a Graduate work implemented throughout the school district.”
Kaemming said Battaglia ranks as one of the most authentic and honest people he knows. She is a “ferocious advocate for her students and staff” who sees the intrinsic good in all people.
“Stacie is the epitome of a lifelong learner,” said Kaemming. Even now, she is modeling learning to her staff and students. With everyone talking about AI’s influence, Battaglia could have dismissed its importance because she’s leaving, but instead she has supported the staff’s learning. “Her approach to supporting children will be extremely hard to replace. … Stacie has been one of the best colleagues to work with. I value her as a leader to the highest degree,” he said.
Battaglia said she wants people to know that she has loved her job and always stayed true to herself, even when it wasn’t easy. “Over the years, I had to make decisions that I know not every parent and student agreed with, but I tried to be fair and make them based on the facts presented and what I believed to be right. I hope along the way kids have learned something from me about being a good human.”
Apart from spending more time with her family and being content with life, Battaglia doesn’t have any specific plans for retirement. “I’ve spent the last 11 years telling my staff to find a work-life balance,” she said. “As much as we give to our students and want them to have a great experience, we must do the same for ourselves. I’m going to give myself some time to just ‘be.’”
While Battaglia is figuring out retirement, her staff will miss her joy, intensity, devotion, and warmth, said Salazar.
