How many years have you lived in the South Orangetown Central School District? My family moved to the South Orangetown Central School District in 2021, drawn by its strong sense of community and schools that are among the best in the region. We were especially impressed by the district’s emphasis on social-emotional learning and student well-being. Our youngest child began Kindergarten at WOS while our oldest joined the third graders entering CLE.
What is your post-secondary educational and employment/professional background? I currently work as a solution engineer for an education company and have over 20 years of experience managing IT and learning systems in large educational institutions. Prior to entering the corporate sector, I was Director of Technology Planning and Academic Technology Services at Yeshiva University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. There, I oversaw the design and construction of IT facilities and classrooms, as well as the management of all learning technologies, computer labs, and tech-enabled classrooms across the academic and medical campuses. Earlier in my career, I served as Director of Faculty Technology Services at Fordham University, where I managed faculty labs, the learning management system, and course production for online master's programs and professional certificates.
Like many of today’s students, I did not follow a linear career path. After graduating from the Honors Program at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, I moved to New York in 1999 to pursue a PhD in English at Fordham University where–after a brief detour to study professional baking at the Institute of Culinary Education–my doctoral research focused on the reception and stability of electronic texts and archives.
As someone whose current profession is not directly related to my original field of study—like an estimated 70% of recent high school graduates, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York—I understand the importance of providing students with a broad and well-rounded education. Cultivating curiosity and a love of lifelong learning is as essential to success as building deep knowledge and skills in specific subjects.
What is your vision for public education in our community? Every child deserves the highest quality education we can offer—because education is an intrinsic good. But especially now, as we mark the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard ‘round the world,” we are reminded of public education’s deeper mission: to equip students with the critical thinking skills and global awareness they need not only to thrive personally and professionally, but also to participate actively in our bold American experiment in self-governance. In a nation as geographically, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse as ours, public education plays a crucial role in preparing students to engage with and contribute to our democratic society.
What are your priorities in terms of policy and governance? My top priority is to ensure that the Board is responsibly and sustainably stewarding the district’s resources so our professional educators have the support they need to deliver outstanding educational outcomes. As public education faces growing challenges, including funding cuts that disproportionately affect programs for vulnerable students, we must be creative and proactive in ensuring that every student—regardless of background, ability, self-identification, or special needs—has full access to a quality education. This is especially important in a district where a significant number of students receive services through IEPs or 504 plans.
Another key priority is preparing our students for their digital futures. Just as school districts have led the way in promoting safety through initiatives like bicycle helmet campaigns and emergency drills, they must now help educate families about digital safety and literacy. Our schools should partner with PTAs and professional organizations to help families navigate online risks and teach students to critically evaluate media in an age when misinformation, propaganda, and AI-generated content blur the line between fact and fiction. While some conversations have already begun, particularly through the efforts of our PTAs, it’s time to treat digital safety and media literacy as essential components of education.
Finally, I am committed to preserving what I see as the “crown jewel” of SOCSD—our exceptional co-curricular and enrichment programs. Research consistently shows that students involved in clubs, music and arts programs, and athletics are more engaged academically, have more positive attitudes toward education, and are more likely to graduate. Yet across the country, and even within our own district, these programs are under threat. The Board must prioritize all dimensions of student success, not just what takes place in the classroom.
What experiences and expertise have prepared you to serve as a Board of Education member? With a background in technology planning and capital project management I have experience not only developing and administering multi-million dollar budgets, but achieving consensus in large organizations with thousands of constituents who have different needs and diverse viewpoints. I also understand the difficulties and nuances of providing education in person and electronically, and of working with k12 students. I work daily with high school programs and see both the promise and the pitfalls of our increasingly-connected technology landscape.
Perhaps most importantly, I bring experience serving as a bridge between groups with different goals, languages, and success metrics. I’ve collaborated closely with faculty and administrators to bring their curricular visions to life, and I’m committed to restoring trust and productive collaboration among the Board, parents, educators, and administrators. By working together, we can ensure that all students in our district receive the high-quality education they deserve.
