Ossining Schools: Leadership Changes Continue To Roll Out

OSSINING, NY — The Ossining school board has chosen new principals for three of its six schools and, with Superintendent Ray Sanchez headed south on Route 9 at the end of the school year, hired a nearby district's recently retired superintendent as interim schools chief.

"Our district has taken care to develop in-house professional talent for potential future administrative ascension. Several of the names you will read in this message will be familiar, and we congratulate them on their new positions," said Board of Education President Katherin Crossling.

Ossining High School

Replacing Stephen Hancock, who is headed to Brewster schools as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, the board appointed LaToya Langley as Principal of Ossining High School. Langley currently serves as the Assistant Principal of OHS and has done an exceptional job in this role since 2019, Crossling said, "With an extensive background in education and a passion for empowering students, Ms. Langley brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our high school."

During her time at OHS, Langley has worked with educators and staff to adopt a new attendance policy, led professional development sessions on restorative practices, and established an alternative education program. She has been asked on multiple occasions to lead professional development at other educational institutions on restorative practices. Currently she has been co-facilitating the OHS advisory implementation committee with Hancock.

She has fostered strong relationships with many students and families — prior to her role as an Assistant Principal at OHS, she served as a Social Worker at AMD and Claremont Elementary School.

Langley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Lehman College, a Master of Social Work from New York University, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College. Throughout her career, Langley has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence, fostering a positive school culture, and promoting the holistic development of students. She firmly believes in creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We look forward to her leading and elevating OHS to the next level, officials said.

Anne M. Dorner Middle School

The Board will appoint Dr. Nicole Mangiere Nover as the new Principal of Anne M. Dorner Middle School. Dr. Nover has served as the Principal of Roosevelt Elementary School since 2021.

Prior to working in Ossining, Dr. Nover served as an Assistant Principal at Seven Bridges Middle School in the Chappaqua School District and as an Assistant Principal at Putnam Valley Middle School. She has also served as an eighth Grade Learning Specialist and a fifth Grade Reading Teacher.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an Education minor from Cornell University, a Master of Science in General and Special Education and a Master of Science in Education Leadership for Educational Change from Bank Street College, and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College. She has facilitated numerous professional development sessions focusing on wellness, student social emotional well-being, and digital learning. Her positivity, relationship building skills, and enthusiasm will be a strong addition to our middle school.

Roosevelt Elementary School

With Dr. Nover’s move to AMD, the Board will appoint Kathryn Castellano Minaya as the new Principal of Roosevelt School. Minaya has served as the Assistant Principal of Claremont Elementary School for this past school year.

Prior to joining Ossining, Minaya served as an English New Language (ENL) Coordinator at PS 105 in the Bronx. In this position, she was responsible for supervising ENL programs for more than 200 elementary students in kindergarten through 5th grades. Prior to working at PS 105, Minaya served as the Director of Operations for the Harlem Village Academies and was the Founding Dean of Culture and Community for the WHEELS Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School, an early childhood educational center.

Minaya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Anthropology from Washington University, and a Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University. She earned a certification as a Bilingual ESL Teacher Leader from Bank Street College and most recently was named as a Fellow to the Leaders in Education Apprenticeship Program, a master’s program with Bank Street College. Ms. Minaya has spent this year building strong connections with students and families at Claremont, lifting equity work as a building leader, and consistently encouraging her students to be life-long learners. We are pleased that she will be able to carry this forward next year at Roosevelt.

Interim Superintendent

The Board plans to appoint Mary Fox-Alter as Interim Superintendent of Ossining schools. "Ms. Fox-Alter is an exceptional leader and the Board of Education is looking forward to her sharing her considerable talent and experience with our community," Crossling said.

Fox-Alter was the Superintendent of the Pleasantville school district for many years. She began her educational career as a teacher and served as a curriculum coordinator and technology coordinator before joining the ranks of central administration as the Director of Instructional Services and then Deputy Superintendent. She was named Superintendent of Pleasantville schools in 2010. During her 11 years in that role, she also served as President of the Southern Westchester BOCES Chief School Administrators Association, President of the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents, and a member of the Executive Council of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

Since her retirement from Pleasantville in 2021, Ms. Fox-Alter has served as a monitor of the East Ramapo Central School District through a special appointment by the New York State Commissioner of Education. She oversaw operations and proposed actions for improvement to ensure that the district provided students with access to appropriate services as it strived to achieve fiscal stability. Fox-Alter has also served as Assistant Director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at Manhattanville College since January 2022.

Fox-Alter, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Education from Mercy College, a Professional Diploma in Administration from Iona College, and a Master of Science in Education (Instructional Technology) from the College of New Rochelle, will introduce herself to the staff and community in the coming days, officials said.

"We ask that you join us in welcoming Ms. Fox-Alter and congratulating Ms. Langley, Dr. Nover, and Ms. Minaya on their new roles. We also wish Mr. Hancock well in his new position," Crossling said. "We remain committed to providing an exceptional Ossining learning environment that empowers each student to achieve their full potential, and we strongly believe that these changes are reflective of that commitment."

SEE ALSO: Ossining Schools Chief To Depart For Tarrytown