Sherry Bennett.

Sherry Bennett has been named the new principal of Attica Elementary School. The Board of Education approved her hiring in a unanimous vote at its May 25 meeting. 

Bennett has been serving as Elementary School Principal in an interim capacity since Jan. 3, when longtime Principal Kelly Beitz’s retirement became effective. Bennett will immediately begin in her new role. 

“We had a strong field of candidates for this position but Mrs. Bennett distinguished herself with her experience and skill set,” said Superintendent Dr. Kiel Illg. “She has been doing a fantastic job leading the elementary school as interim principal over the past few months. I’m confident she’ll hit the ground running in her new, permanent role and am thrilled our students and staff will stand to benefit from her leadership for years to come.” 

Bennett said she’s looking forward to continuing to strengthen the partnership between the Elementary School, families and the broader Attica community. 

“Unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic took a lot from all of us, including the ability to include parents and the community in school events,” she said. “I look forward to reigniting that partnership and working together with families and the community.”

Bennett earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo in 2003 and her master’s from Canisius College in 2006. Before coming to Attica, she worked as a speech therapist for Heritage Centers - now known as Erie County ARC - and as a teacher of the deaf with Buffalo Public Schools. 

She was hired at Attica in 2012 as Assistant Middle School Principal, a position she held for 11 years until January 2023 when Beitz retired and Bennett assumed the interim principal role in the Elementary School.

“I already knew what a wonderful Elementary School we have here in Attica because I’ve seen it through my own children, but getting to see it first hand - the dedication and the heart that the staff has is amazing,” Bennett said. “I took the opportunity to meet with each of the staff members individually, and we talked about goals for themselves and for the building - I am looking forward to the chance to help each of them reach their goals and for us to all be on the journey together.”

In her new role, Bennett said she will focus on providing students with consistent and rigorous instruction while, at the same time, prioritizing relationship-building among students and staff. 

“I believe strongly in the quote ‘No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship,’” Bennett said. “There is so much value in forming the relationships between staff and students. These relationships help us to recognize when something is wrong, when a student is struggling, or even when we can celebrate our students. This is something I look forward to continuing to emphasize and develop as the elementary principal.”