Ms. Handzel grew up in Upstate and Western New York and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from The State University of New York, College at Buffalo. Ms. Handzel went on to earn her Master of Education in Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages from the State University of New York, at Buffalo and her Master of Science in School/Admin Supervision from Canisius College. Ms. Handzel has also completed advanced coursework in Educational Leadership at The Sage Colleges.
Before joining the Wilsona School District, Ms. Handzel, has spent a large part of her career as an Assistant Principal and Principal in grades K-12, as well as an Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services at the district office level. Ms. Handzel’s most recent work has been in serving as a Principal of a small High School located just south of downtown Los Angeles.
Ms. Handzel views a collaborative school environment, as well as partnerships with parents and the community, as the keys to creating a strong foundation, essential to student learning. Ms. Handzel works closely with all school and community stakeholder groups and values the shared decision-making process as a means to developing a positive school experience.
In her free time, Ms. Handzel enjoys spending time with her family, and going to the gym.