Regent Judith Johnson 

Public recognition of her work began in 1990 when she was selected as one of the 100 Executive Educators in America. Since that time she has been recognized for her contributions to our nation by over 20 organizations. Highlights include being the 2008 recipient of the New York State School Superintendent of the Year award, making her the first African American in the history of the New York State Council of School Superintendents to receive this honor. In 2008 returning  to the Brooklyn College campus that launched her life’s work to be honored as Alumna of the Year and in 2015 being inducted into the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

 Her teaching and leadership roles span four-plus decades of her professional life.  She has worked as a guidance counselor, building administrator, an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and a superintendent of schools.  As superintendent she served the Peekskill City School District for ten years, appointed as the first woman and first African American to hold that position in the city where her vision for equity became the center of school reform. During President Clinton’s second term she was appointed by Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, to serve initially as the Deputy Assistant Secretary and later as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. During her tenure, the department launched legislation that provided funds for initiatives that included Extended Day and School Programs, Instructional Technology programs and Small Class Size initiatives.

 Judith Johnson was appointed to the New York State Board of Regents in April of 2015 to represent Judicial District 9, a geographic span of five suburban counties that educate students in schools that range from largely economically impoverished to wealthy school districts. She also co-chairs the Board’s Cultural Education Committee and the Research Work Group that is currently examining the efficacy of the state’s equity policies and high school diploma pathways.

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/2019/10/22/judith-johnson-prominent-educator-and-regent-dies-rockland/4061906002/

Adal Regis

Regis co-founded the Soar Mentoring Program in Nyack three years ago with friend Carl-Harry Nau. Soar is a collaboration with the Nyack School District for students between the ages of 11 and 13 who have been identified by the school district as “at risk,” with a focus on children of color.

Soar’s curriculum is built around six main themes: Leadership, STEM, Financial Literacy, Finding Your Voice, Community Service, and Health and Hygiene. Mentors and tutors work with the program’s participants twice a week after school to oversee academic progress, assist with skill-building group activities, and help the students set their own concrete goals to assess progress.

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/2018/10/25/volunteer-spotlight-adal-regis-bridge-2-give-rockland/1752182002/

Yvianick Saint-Vil

https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/track/2020/02/06/rockland-scholar-athlete-nyack-shot-putter-yvianick-saint-vil/4648296002/

The senior thrower at Nyack competes in winter and spring track and field. She is also the student body president and captain of the cheerleading team. Saint-Vil is president of the drama club, secretary of the Academic League and treasurer of the NAACP Youth Council.

She ranks in the top 5 percent of the senior class with a 98.5 average and is a member of the National Honor Society. The accomplished NYSSMA soloist is currently rehearsing for “Hello Dolly” at the high school.

There’s a part-time job at Target, as well.

The Nyack Public School District's equity goal is to create a District-wide and building-based climate and culture that demands and supports systemic equity and improved student achievement for each student while narrowing the predictable racial achievement gap.   

Dr. Alexandria Connally 

Office: (845) 353-7016

Aconnally@nyackschools.org