School Board Candidate Dr. Salvador A. Fernandez

Name: Dr. Salvador A. Fernandez.

Age: 51.

Occupation: Principal at Inwood Intermediate School 52 in District 6, Manhattan.

Family: Married with three children.

Education: Combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science degree from Hunter College; Educational Administration degree at the City College of New York; Doctorate degree in Education Administration and Supervision from St. John’s University. Fernandez was selected to be a member of the Chancellor’s Incentive Doctoral Program, and completed his doctoral degree in 2002, with highest honors.

Why are you running for the school board? “To provide a quality education for all New Rochelle students.”

What are the issues you feel face the school district and what do you think you can do about them? “Transparency and equity. I will make sure to establish an open line of communication with the parents and all stakeholders.”

From a New York City public schools graduate to his current position as the principal at Inwood Intermediate School in Manhattan, Fernandez has dedicated himself as an educator for over 30 years. He said he steadily worked his way up the ladder, beginning his educational career working as a para-professional, then a classroom teacher, district office coordinator, assistant principal and now principal.

In addition to his primary role as principal, Fernandez is also on staff at Mercy College of New York and St. John’s University. He has taught graduate courses on Educational Foundations, Research, Special Education, Bilingual Education and Managing the Teaching/Learning process.

As a member of Mercy College’s Professional Advisory Board, Fernandez was recently honored with the Phi Delta Kappa Special Recognition Award for “support and service” in teacher preparation.

He has written a great deal about the dilemma of “the disaffected student, the reluctant learner, and how to transform “failing” schools.” Due to his “transformational” approach, Fernandez said he was able to promote a “paradigm shift and reverse the downward spiral” and has “enabled staff and students to be reinvigorated” in several schools.

Fernandez said he was not afraid to face challenges, and has willingly opted to work with “schools that have been characterized as hard to staff and difficult to teach in; and often with a professional staff that is labeled as transitory and uncommitted.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are six candidates for two five-year terms. The  candidates are Rachel Relkin, Naomi Brickel, Robert Cox, Peter O'Keeffe, Colin J. Thomas and Dr. Salvador A. Fernandez.