Michael St. John Returns To Felix Festa As A-School Principal

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Michael St. John, the Clarkstown Central School District Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, will take on a new job this fall. He has been named principal of Felix Festa Middle School A.

He was recommended for the position following a multi-tiered interview process with administrators, a community advisory committee and the Board of Education, district officials said.

St. John returns to lead the sixth grade students at Festa, which sends him back to the building where he started his employment in the district as a social studies teacher in 2003.

“Felix Festa Middle School will be fortunate to have Dr. St. John provide leadership for students, teachers, staff and parents,” said Marty Cox, Superintendent of Schools. “I have had the great opportunity to closely work with Dr. St. John during the past year at the Administrative Offices, and have first-hand experience of his thoughtful and passionate leadership skills. While watching him work with teachers during the past year as he implemented a Learner Active, Technology-Infused Classroom (LATIC) approach at the middle school, he displayed his knowledge, skills and experience about rigorous and relevant instruction. Moreover, Dr. St. John is an effective communicator who listens, processes, and makes decisions in the best interest of students.”

A resident of Valley Cottage, Dr. St. John is a graduate of the University of Richmond where he received a B.A. degree in History. He received his Masters degree in the area of Instructional Technology from New York Institute of Technology. Dr. St. John continued his studies at SUNY College at New Paltz where he completed his administrative studies and received a Certificate of Advanced Studies. Most recently, in 2015, he completed his doctoral studies in K-12 Educational Administration at Seton Hall University.

“I am pleased and excited to serve as the new Felix Festa A-School principal,”said St. John. “Having spent 10 years at Felix Festa, as a teacher and department chair, I have a great appreciation for the community and its wonderful staff and students. Working with middle school students has always been my passion. I believe the future at the middle school is bright, and I look forward to being a member of the Festa team, and to work to support our Grade 6 students.”

“The Board of Education is pleased that Dr. Michael St. John has accepted the position as the new Felix Festa A School Principal,” said Michael Aglialoro, Board of Education President. “His most recent position as a curriculum leader, combined with his past experience teaching at Festa, will allow Michael to hit the ground running.”