Cuomo announces members of 'Reimagine Education' advisory council

Comprised of education leaders from across state chosen to assist schools & colleges prepare to adopt technological and other innovations to safely reopen

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the members of New York's “Reimagine Education” advisory council – made up of educators, students, parents and education leaders – to help districts reimagine schools as they prepare to reopen while protecting health and safety, how virtual learning can bridge the gap, and supplement face to face education when schools reopen. The council – chaired by SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras – will be comprised of lower and higher education leaders from across the state.

The list of members is below:

• Kaweeda Adams, superintendent, Albany City School District
• Jaime Alicea, superintendent, Syracuse City School District
• Jody Arnhold, founder, Dance Educator Laboratory
• Melodie Baker, director of education, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
• Kyle Belokopitsky, executive director, New York State PTA
• Meg Benke, provost, SUNY Empire State College
• Jackie Burbridge, parent, Suffolk County
• Katie Campos, partner, Strategic Collective
• Anthony Collins, president, Clarkson University
• Stephanie Conklin, master teacher, South Colonie Central School District
• George Dermody, CEO, The Children Home of Wyoming Conference
• Karol Mason, president, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Austin Ostro, president, SUNY Student Assembly
• Martin Palermo, master teacher, William Floyd School District
• Roger Ramsammy, president, Hudson Valley Community College
• Seema Rivera, president, Guilderland Central School District School Board
• Shannon Tahoe, interim commissioner, New York State Education Department
• Dennis Walcott, former chancellor, New York State Department of Education
• Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers

"When we closed school facilities because of the COVID-19 virus, our teachers and students rose to the occasion, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their heroic work," Cuomo said. "Like everything else, when we do reopen schools, it's not just about reopening as they were before, it's about building back even better than before. The collective expertise and experience of this new advisory council will help answer key questions about how we can strengthen New York's entire education system for decades to come."

The council will work in collaboration with other experts and stakeholders, including the state and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to answer key questions about what education should look in the future using new technologies and to develop a blueprint to reimagine education in the new normal.