OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen From left to right: Social Studies Teacher David Wild, Teaching Assistant Elicia Prinzbach, Social Worker Emilie Tothero, and Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston.

SILVER CREEK — When Silver Creek hired Katie Ralston as Superintendent, she came from Cuba-Rushford and quickly became part of the Black Knight family. A year later, she brought Sydney Neubauer over from Cuba-Rushford to join her as an Assistant Principal.

Now a year after Neubauer joined the district, as she begins her first full year as Middle School Principal, Neubauer has convinced another Cuba-Rushford teacher to follow in her footsteps. David Wild was appointed as a Social Studies Teacher at Silver Creek Middle School.

“People follow people,” Ralston said. She credited Neubauer’s leadership as a reason for Wild coming onboard.

Referring to the unique nature of teaching in a middle school, Ralston described Wild as “all middle school”. She said the district is fortunate to have Wild join the group.

Wild brings nine years of experience with him to Silver Creek, along with professional certification in Social Studies Grades 7-12, with an extension for Grades 5-6 expected in the near future. He will receive a salary of $59,600 for the 2025-2026 school year. His appointment carries a three-year probationary period, as he earned tenure prior to joining the Black Knight family.

“Thank you for this opportunity. I’ll give everything I can to the job,” Wild said to Ralston and the Board of Education.

Wild was not alone in joining the district at its latest Board of Education meeting. Emilie Tothero was appointed as the district’s newest Social Worker.

Tothero is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of experience in the field. Tothero will receive a salary of $71,600 for the 2025-2026 school year in recognition of her prior experience.

“It’s obvious that we’re fortunate to have a Social Worker join us who has Emilie’s experience, but once you talk to Emilie and know who Emilie is, we’re fortunate to have her as a person come join Silver Creek,” Ralston said.

Tothero responded, “I’m so excited for this opportunity. I want to thank you for giving me this chance. I have a lot to learn, but I bring a lot to the table.”

Wild and Tothero will both begin their time at Silver Creek on Sept. 29.

While the district welcomes Wild and Tothero to Silver Creek, a fixture in the Middle School will remain on a more permanent basis. Elicia Prinzbach has earned tenure as a Teaching Assistant, effective Oct. 6. Prinzbach is certified as a Level 3 Teaching Assistant.

Ralston remembered back to meeting Prinzbach when she first became Silver Creek Superintendent. She said, “I remember thinking I don’t know what building she works in, I don’t know what she does here, but she is the reason people would want to be here.”

Ralston credited Prinzbach for utilizing trauma-invested practices, a welcoming and affirming demeanor, and a student first philosophy. But it was not Ralston’s praise that carried the most weight to Prinzbach. Instead, it was the letter of recommendation that Neubauer wrote in support of her tenure appointment – a recommendation that Neubauer said was written “wholeheartedly and without reservation.”

In her letter of recommendation, Neubauer stated, “Elicia is truly a cornerstone of our middle school culture. She nurtures our students with patience and empathy, consistently fostering positive relationships that help every child feel seen, valued, and supported. Whether she is assisting in classrooms, guiding students through challenges, or offering a listening ear, Elicia’s presence brings reassurance and stability.”

Neubauer later added, “In every way, Elicia has proven herself to be more than a teaching assistant — she is a mentor, a leader, and a champion for our students. Her contributions have made her a pillar of Silver Creek Middle School, and I have no doubt that she will continue to have a lasting impact on our school community.”

Prinzbach said she hid in the bathroom and cried when she read what Neubauer wrote for her. “It’s the first time that I feel what somebody wrote, like she means it,” Prinzbach said.

Later in the meeting, Ralston also celebrated the success of the district’s Back to School Extravaganza, which she described as a “truly phenomenal” event. Ralston noted that more than 1,000 people attended the event, which included bounce houses, food trucks, music and games. Students also met with teachers and principals at the event, which Ralston said she hopes will become “a beautiful tradition” at Silver Creek.