ABOUT US

Welcome to Fort Montgomery Elementary School where the classrooms are true early childhood classrooms with teachers who understand young children and work every day to make learning experiences enriching and fun for the children!

The Fort Montgomery Elementary School opened its doors in 1930 as the little school on the hill for the children of the Hamlet of Fort Montgomery.  The original building still stands with additions that enlarge its capacity for more children.  Over the years the school has evolved into an early childhood school for prekindergarten, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  Across from the school is a lovely pond, Garrison Pond, that is the home of beautiful white swans.  Each year, we watch as new sygnets hatch and join their parents swimming on the pond.  What a fitting symbol for our school!  As our young swans enter prekindergarten and kindergarten, we take on the responsibility of nurturing their growth and development as the youngest students in the district.  The transition from home, pre-k or daycare to a school and classroom setting can be a difficult one filled with new routines, expectations, and skills.  Our prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers and aides bring years of experience to foster this growth.  The curriculum is filled with hands-on experiences that lay the foundation for a program of reading, writing and math readiness, as you can see in the prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers’ web pages.

The goal of our 1st grade program is twofold:  (1) turn the children into readers who can communicate what they have read and express it in writing and (2) develop the ability to know, understand and use numbers as they relate to every day living.  When children can actually take a book in hand and read, we see a true miracle.  Who can explain it?  It just doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work and that is what our experienced 1st grade teachers do each day with the children.  They integrate phonetics, word knowledge and literature to develop the skills to be that independent reader.  They use blocks, shapes, clocks, rulers and other manipulatives to build the mathematical foundation to understand the use of number in our lives.  Click on the teachers’ web pages to see how they develop these basic skills through interesting and knowledgeable approaches to learning.

When the foundation is laid, the house begins to take shape.  In 2nd grade, the teachers’ goal is to take the beginning readers and mathematicians and help them use their knowledge and skill to deepen understanding, develop thinking skills, and make reasoned connections.  They are now reading to learn.  The teachers involve the children in interdisciplinary units of study that incorporate reading, writing, science, social studies and mathematics.  They have many, many opportunities to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills through engaging topics.  Take a look at their web pages to see the results of this study.

Jacqueline Rodriguez brings 15 years of comprehensive experience in the field of Education. In 2010, she earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the City College of New York. Prior to this, she spent three years working as a substitute teacher in her hometown of Washington Heights. Following her graduation, Jacqueline became a prominent leader advocating for English Language Learners and their families, securing her first full-time position at the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School. She also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology, an achievement that led her to work as  Marketing Coordinator for 5 years.

In 2018, through Teaching Matters, a national teacher leadership program, she achieved certifications as an Instructional Coach, Learning Facilitator, and Standards Ambassador while serving as the Magnet Coordinator at MS358, The Magnet School of STEAM Exploration and Experiential Learning. In her capacity as Magnet Coordinator, Jacqueline was instrumental in achieving the honor of becoming the only Nationally Certified Demonstration School in New York City in 2020. During her tenure, she diligently collaborated with her team to uphold the magnet pillars of diversity, innovative curriculum, professional development, academic excellence, high-quality instructional practices, and strong family and community partnerships.

During the pandemic, Jacqueline took on the leadership of the RACE and Equity Team at MS358, successfully guiding her team in presenting to 100 participants at the Annual Magnet Conference. In 2021, she became an Assistant Principal at a community school in the Bronx, where she played a pivotal role in redesigning educational experiences for students in grades PK-5 in response to the pandemic's impact. Her contributions significantly shaped the school culture and instructional practices.

In 2023, Jacqueline transitioned to the role of Principal at Fort Montgomery Elementary School where she continues to dedicate herself to serving children and families through knowledge-based initiatives, primarily focusing on literacy and mathematics. Jacqueline’s extensive experiences in education have allowed her to work collaboratively with a diverse array of individuals, all striving towards the shared goal of enhancing student achievement and well-being. Her educational philosophy is grounded in her unwavering belief that every student can learn, provided they are in a positive learning environment supported by strong leadership, a dedicated educational team, an encouraging community, and a nurturing family—qualities embodied by Fort Montgomery Elementary School.

Outside of her professional commitments, Ms.Rodriguez cherishes time spent with her children, Marleny, who is twenty, and Sebastian, who is seventeen. She is passionate about advocating for English Language Learners and fostering a positive school climate through restorative approaches. As the daughter of Dominican parents, Jacqueline holds a deep affection for her culture and equally her birthplace, New York City. For 2025 , Ms.Rodriguez plans to pursue her School District Leadership license to further her impact at the district level in support of schools. With a strong belief in the transformative power of education, Jacqueline is dedicated to serving children in public education, having herself benefited from public education in the wonderful city where she was born.