Molly Biggs Celani

Molly Biggs Celani’s motto is Exceed Expectations! These two words are the driving force behind every aspect of her life.

After graduating from The College of St. Rose, Ms. Celani taught for 35 years in the North Colonie School District at the Loudonville School and was Director of Continuing Education at Shaker High School.

Retirement was the beginning of exciting new challenges. In Florida, Ms. Celani and her husband bred thoroughbred horses, raced their three-year-old colt and owned a bike and rollerblade rental shop. She also developed time management strategies for the Mayor of Hollywood, Florida and her staff. Parental responsibility drew Ms. Celani back to her hometown of Granville. When the Slate Valley Museum needed a volunteer with a formal background in education, she quickly offered and began teaching about the geology of slate, the technology of extracting it from the ground, and about the immigrants who came to the Slate Valley in search of a new life. Ms. Celani was invited to join the Board of Trustees, and since 2011, has served as its President. After creating a disaster plan, she quickly realized its value when Hurricane Irene hit the museum and the nearby Mettowee River.

After filling two vacancies and being twice elected to the Granville Board of Education, Ms. Celani now heads its policy committee and is concentrating on increasing mastery levels, lowering dropout rates, curriculum development and BOCES programs. She serves as the Secretary of the Granville Lions Club, working on its major fundraiser and successfully generating substantial donations for the community.

Currently, Ms. Celani is Chair of the Village Zoning Board of Appeals and is on the Town’s Board of Assessment Review. She is part of a grassroots effort to complete a 34-mile section of the Slate Valley Rail Trail through northern Washington County. In addition, she convinced the Slate Valley Garden Club to plant street gardens on Granville’s Main Street, and as an active member of the Tri-County Garden Club of WNF&GA, she contributes floral design and horticulture displays in its flower shows.

Ms. Celani says it is too early to decide what she wants to be when she grows up, but whatever it is, it will…Exceed Expectations!