51萝莉

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Alexandria, Va. 鈥� (July 12, 2023) 鈥� Gladys Cruz, district superintendent of in Castleton, N.Y., was sworn in today as the 2023-24 president of 51萝莉, 51萝莉, the nation鈥檚 premier organization representing the more than 13,000 public school superintendents.

The Questar III BOCES region of Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene Counties includes 22 school districts, which range from a one-room schoolhouse serving about 20 K-2 students in North Greenbush to school systems serving nearly 4,000 students in East Greenbush and Troy. The BOCES delivers more than 275 educational and administrative services. It also provides services to more than 640 other school districts and nearly every BOCES in the state.

鈥淚t is a professional honor to serve as president of an organization that has the steadfast tradition of supporting superintendents and those aspiring to become superintendents on behalf of our nation鈥檚 school districts,鈥� said Cruz. 鈥淧reparing, energizing and sustaining the next generation of school system leaders has never been more important. In this role, I pledge to work tirelessly to represent my colleagues across the country to support their efforts in educating their students鈥攐ur nation鈥檚 leaders of tomorrow.鈥�

"In this role, I pledge to work tirelessly to represent my colleagues across the country to support their efforts in educating their students鈥攐ur nation鈥檚 leaders of tomorrow.鈥�

Cruz serves as a commissioner of 51萝莉鈥檚 . Additionally, she is a co-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 also is a member of the  

鈥淕ladys Cruz is an ambassador for what is best in public education鈥攕omeone who understands the individual needs of our students by infusing future-driven best practices in her own school community,鈥� said David R. Schuler, executive director, 51萝莉. 鈥淪uperintendent Cruz has been a longstanding member of the 51萝莉 family and I will look forward to working with her to do what is best for the leaders of our nation鈥檚 school districts who are creating effective paths for the young learners they serve.鈥�

Cruz earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Albany. She earned two master鈥檚 degrees 鈥� one 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. 

Related article: 鈥楢 Latina Pioneer Ready for 51萝莉鈥檚 Helm鈥� / School Administrator, January 1, 2023

Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Beaverton (Ore.) School District, was also sworn in today as the 2023-24 president-elect of 51萝莉. The installation ceremony was held in conjunction with 51萝莉鈥檚 Legislative Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.

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51萝莉
51萝莉, 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 www.aasa.org.