Albany, NY - The New York State Council of School Superintendents (The Council and NYSCOSS) announced that they selected Dr. Raymond Sanchez of the Tarrytown UFSD as its Superintendent of the Year for 2025 at it's 2024 Fall Leadership Summit Monday Morning Keynote on September 23, 2024.
Dr. Sanchez will be honored at our Winter Institute & Lobby Day in Albany on March 2-4, 2025, and he will represent New York as the state’s nominee for consideration as the national Superintendent of the Year, awarded by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) at their National Conference on Education in New Orleans on March 6-8, 2025.
“Ray’s recognition as the New York State Superintendent of the Year is a testament to his focus every day on what is important–success and opportunity for every student he serves,” said Council President Lars Clemensen, who serves as the superintendent in Hampton Bays, NY.
Dr. Clemensen added, “All throughout his career, Ray has been a leader in the superintendency, from driving advocacy initiatives that increased resources in high-need communities across New York State and as an educational leader, creating trajectory-changing opportunities for his students. The Council looks forward to honoring Ray with this award.”
Dr. Sanchez explained, “What has always driven me is a personal maxim: my good intentions are never enough. The hard work lies not in wanting to do the right thing, but in actually doing it. And that requires the efforts of many. I want to thank the communities of Ossining and Tarrytown, the many fine professionals I have worked with, and especially my Boards of Education for encouraging meaningful change on behalf of all children by recognizing that each child brings the potential for achievement and growth– and it is our moral responsibility to nurture and sustain them.”
Dr. Sanchez began his work as superintendent of Tarrytown UFSD on July 1, 2023, after spending most of his career just a few miles up the Hudson River in Ossining, NY, where he brought an energy marked by coalition-building, a focus on equity, and a zeal for community and district advocacy.
After beginning his career in the Arlington (NY) School District as a teacher in 1998, he quickly found a passion for leadership through serving in a variety of capacities at Ossining, including ENL Supervisor, ELA Supervisory, and Assistant Principal. After a brief hiatus in service as a principal in a neighboring district, Ray began a deeper journey in Ossining, working as an Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent before being named Superintendent in 2013, in which he served for 10 years.
Ossining UFSD was in the throes of demographic change when Dr. Sanchez was named superintendent, with significant numbers of recent immigrants, many from Central America, now calling Ossining home. Having worked in the district for years, he was acutely aware of the emerging challenges of the district that could only be addressed through a re-evaluation of principles, priorities and programs. And as a proficient bi-lingual speaker (English/Spanish) of Cuban heritage, he embraced the communication challenges that were key to building success.
“Ray's recognition as the New York State Superintendent of the year is a testament to his focus every day on what is important-success and opportunity for every student he serves, said Council president Lars Clemensen, who serves as the superintendent in Hampton Bays, NY.
Dr. Sanchez is extremely proud of the commitment to social justice and equity for all students that exists in both Ossining and Tarrytown. In the latter, a community whose demographic profile closely resembles that of Ossining, he has brought the same passion and the same principles of fairness and individualized focus on the families of the community. He has collaborated with his staff members to peel back the layers of the status quo to isolate unconscious biases, appreciate cultural differences on a more informed level, and use data to drive objective decision-making and resource allocation.
His ethos centers on the needs of the youngest students to create both systemic and generational change. “The research is clear that the earlier we can get to students, the greater opportunity we have to erase inequities, mitigate negative cycles, and lift young people to greater heights,” he said. Indeed, his focus on creating a full-day Prekindergarten program at Ossining is a testament to his commitment to starting the youngest members of his community (and their families) with resources.
While the focus on the youngest students potentially carries a long-term impact for good, Dr. Sanchez also believes firmly in an integrated community-school model to support ALL students and families, and especially bringing to light the value of family-school-community partnerships. He is particularly proud of programs that leverage relationships with community partners to reimagine schools as ‘hubs’ of support for families seeking resources like health providers, legal counsel, clothing, and housing. Internally, he initiated diversity job fairs and created more focused HR processes anchored by a commitment to diversifying the teacher workforce, providing the highest quality certified staff, and building diversity, equity, and inclusion into HR practices.
Dr. Sanchez is also proud of the dual language programs he has instituted in both Ossining and Tarrytown–programs help all students become bilingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural, and which contribute significantly to a broader appreciation of the power and promise of diversity and equity efforts.
“We are delighted for Ray and honored to be part of this recognition,” said Tarrytown UFSD Board of Education President Michelle DeFilippis. “His passion for social justice, his commitment to equity for all students, and his relentless support for the power of diversity is incredibly meaningful to our residents. In his short time in Tarrytown, he has inspired our educators, our families, and our broader community through his tireless efforts to create a fabric of collaboration and pride.”
Dr. Sanchez, who holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College, has a passion for school leadership that extends significantly through his colleagues and many professional organizations, where he has served as both a leader and a mentor. Dr. Sanchez has been on the executive board of NYSCOSS, was the president of both the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents and the Putnam Northern Westchester Curriculum Council and served as a delegate for both AASA (national school administrators association) and the NYS Association for Bilingual Education. Outside of public education, he has been a board member at NY Presbyterian Hospital and the United Way, among other groups.
“The New York State Superintendent of the Year is a recognition that honors exceptional leadership and this year it is being awarded to Dr. Raymond Sanchez, a superintendent who has demonstrated a commitment to improving outcomes, fostering innovation, and championing the needs of students, teachers, and his community. Dr. Sanchez exemplifies excellence in administration by serving as a visionary leader who inspires others. His work is characterized by a proactive approach to address issues through collaboration, communication, planning, and unwavering dedication to his students. We are proud to have Dr. Sanchez represent New York as the 2025 Superintendent of the Year,” said NYSCOSS Executive Director Charles Dedrick.
In May 2024, Dr. Sanchez was awarded an honorary doctorate from Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY.