After more than three decades of dedicated service— including 17 as Principal of Pine Bush Elementary School—Chris Sanita is retiring, leaving a lasting and profound impact on the Guilderland Central School District community. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Sanita has been unwavering in his commitment to supporting each and every student, always focused on helping them grow, succeed and prepare for the future.
Mr. Sanita joined the Guilderland Central School District in September 1994 as a teaching assistant, working closely with an eighth-grade student with cerebral palsy. This experience was a pivotal turning point, inspiring him to complete his student teaching the following fall at Farnsworth Middle School. Over the next 14 years, Mr. Sanita served the FMS community in various roles, including teacher and house principal before being named Principal of Pine Bush Elementary on July 1, 2008.
Mr. Sanita’s journey to becoming an educator was unique. After graduating from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1991, he initially worked as a sales representative for Nabisco in Syracuse. Inspired by his godmother, a longtime physical education teacher and athletic director, he decided to try substitute teaching. The experience was both enjoyable and rewarding, sparking Mr. Sanita’s interest in pursuing a master’s degree in education and commitment to what would become a decades-long career dedicated to supporting students.
Reflecting on the biggest change in education during his career, Mr. Sanita noted the expansion and incorporation of technology. When he first started teaching, all tasks—from attendance to report cards—were completed on paper, with Wite-Out being a “necessary commodity,” according to Mr. Sanita. Over time, technology became increasingly integrated into daily operations, including the use of email, the internet and electronic employment applications, which greatly improved administrative efficiency.
Technology played a crucial role during one of the most arduous times in education for Mr. Sanita: the COVID-19 pandemic. Facing unprecedented challenges and disruptions to learning, he worked closely with his team to ensure students and staff were prepared for both in-person and remote instruction. From the transition to remote learning in March 2020 to planning hybrid models that prioritized health and safety, Mr. Sanita’s leadership ensured that education continued effectively while maintaining the well-being of the entire school community.
As he prepares to pass the torch, Mr. Sanita offered insightful advice to the next PBES principal: build meaningful relationships. “The work of educators is a human resource endeavor,” he said. “If you hope to be successful, you need to build and maintain personal and professional relationships over time. There is no greater cornerstone to success than that.”
While Mr. Sanita will miss the daily joys of working at PBES—such as greeting students each morning, participating in school-wide celebrations and collaborating with colleagues—he’s looking forward to a more relaxed summer. His retirement plans include ample rest, spending time outdoors and enjoying activities like skiing, hiking and golf. Additionally, he hopes to explore new opportunities that will allow him to share his skills and experience in meaningful ways, guided by the words of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Embarking on this new chapter, the PBES and GCSD communities extend their gratitude to Mr. Sanita for his leadership and dedication to students, wishing him all the best in retirement.