ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In Nazareth Elementary School, a building filled with books, walks a woman whose name could be written in one.

“I was just getting so excited because I could see that this was getting close and it was getting very, very clear to me that this is the place that the Lord was moving me to,” Nazareth Elementary School principal Rhonda Neal said.

She is known for her positive spirit, encouragement and providing a sense of belonging.

“I've always had someone that I've looked up to,” Neal said. “And when I think of their ages and whether it was a mentor, whether it was a coach, it could be a classroom teacher. I just think it's great when students can identify with someone, not only that, someone that looks like them, but someone that encourages them, someone that they can get along with, too.” 

Celebrating over 150 years of education at Nazareth, Neal proudly sits as its first Black principal.  

“Whether you are a woman of color or to me whatever that race or ethnicity is, we need to be able to do the job,” Neal said.

She's bringing in a new life lesson into the classroom.

“When Ms. Neal started working here with us, we went into a classroom together and upon being introduced to one of our younger students, the young lady, her face lit up when she met Ms. Neal,” Development and Marketing coordinator Amy Rist said. She felt like she could relate. She recognized how beautiful she was. And then once she talked with Ms. Neal, she saw how beautiful she was on the inside, too. So, it's all about giving our students the opportunity to feel relatable, to connect. And if you can see it, you can be it.”

While principal is her title, Ms. Neal says her role is much bigger.  

“Our students see me,” Neal said. “They see themselves in me. But I also believe in any area that we break ground and it's rewarding to do so. And I'm excited that I'm here for such a time as this at Nazareth Elementary. And I love the time that I'm spending with the students and staff here.”