51萝莉

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org   

Alexandria, Va. 鈥� March 15, 2022 鈥� Gladys Cruz, district superintendent of in Castleton, N.Y., has been elected as the 2022-23 president-elect of , the nation鈥檚 premier organization representing the more than 13,000 public school superintendents nationwide.

鈥淲hen I speak of a true champion for children, the name Gladys Cruz immediately comes to mind. On behalf of the 51萝莉 family, it is an honor to congratulate her as the next president-elect of our organization,鈥� said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, 51萝莉. 鈥淎 longtime stalwart in public education, Superintendent Cruz has worked diligently to meet the pressing challenges of not only the students in her own region but students across the country. Her track record as a bold and innovative leader speaks for itself. I look forward to working with her in her new role.鈥� 

We must continue to focus on putting students first with everything we do individually as superintendents and collectively in this association.

鈥淲e must continue to focus on putting students first with everything we do individually as superintendents and collectively in this association,鈥� said Cruz. 鈥�In my role (as a member of 51萝莉鈥檚 Executive Committee), I am proud to work with 22 superintendents 鈥� urban, suburban, rural, rich, poor, average wealth, high needs, average needs, and low needs districts alike. This allows me to look at opportunities and issues from a wide lens. I will help build consensus and focus on meeting the needs of our members and students. After close to four decades in many roles in public education, my commitment is larger than ever.鈥�

Cruz serves as a commissioner of 51萝莉鈥檚 . She also serves as a lead teacher of the 51萝莉 Aspiring Superintendents Academy庐 for Latino and Latina Leaders and a mentor in the 51萝莉 National Superintendent Certification Program庐. She is also a member of the

Cruz earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Albany. She earned two master鈥檚 degrees鈥攐ne in curriculum development and instructional technology from the University of Albany and one in bilingual education from the Universidad del Turabo in Caguas, Puerto Rico. 

Cruz and other newly elected 51萝莉 governance members will begin their terms on July 1. Shari Camhi, superintendent of the Baldwin Union Free School District in Baldwin, N.Y., and Cruz will be sworn in as president and president-elect, respectively, in July, at a summer meeting of the 51萝莉 Governing Board.

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51萝莉 
, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. 51萝莉鈥檚 mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit .