When Margaret (Meg) Buckland was growing up, she would often accompany her mother, a teacher of 38 years in the Wappingers Central School District, during the summer to set up her classroom before the school year began. Her mother’s love for the job sparked Buckland’s lifelong interest in teaching and learning.
“I just understood the public school atmosphere … I had that joy of working with children,” Buckland said of those summer visits. “I feel it’s full circle that I have not only been a teacher and successful in the realm, but now I’m supporting teachers in supporting our students.”
Before joining BOCES as its new Director of Alternative and Special education, Buckland was principal of the Pines Bridge School, for medically fragile students, at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, and taught special education in the Poughkeepsie City School District. She discovered her passion for working with students with learning challenges and determining what programs and services could make them successful in college.
“Seeing a student find success that faces challenges while learning is intricate work, and I very much enjoy seeing students find success,” Buckland said. “I’m very compelled to serve the community in which I live.”
Buckland plans to visit all programs she oversees to meet every student and teacher, as well as representatives from BOCES’ component school districts to see what services are being utilized and what may be needed. She also encourages families to reach out with any concerns or comments. “I’m hoping to make deeper relationships within the community to better understand what supports we need to put in place in the future,” Buckland said. “I still like being around the buzz of kids learning in a school building.”
Buckland holds a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY New Paltz in Educational Leadership, a master’s from Mount Saint Mary College in education with a focus in literacy and completed a specialty certificate in Special Education Leadership from Fordham University. Outside of work, Buckland enjoys spending time with her family, both at home and in South Carolina where her parents reside, and considers herself a fitness enthusiast.
“I exercise daily,” Buckland said. “I think it helps me stay grounded especially during the challenging times.”
