Workshop Presenter Bios
Dr. Brent Harrington
Dr. Brent Harrington proudly serves as the Director of Human Resources and Personnel Development for the Cornwall Central School District. A 25 year educator, Dr. Harrington began his career as a middle school social studies teacher before proudly serving as an elementary and middle school principal in Haldane and Pocantico Hills. Dr. Harrington later transitioned to district-level leadership work, and specifically, human resources, largely in recognition that the most important decisions a school district makes in the lives of children are the individuals an organization recruits, hires and supports. Dr. Harrington has long had a keen interest in growing and supporting streamlined hiring procedures that eliminate barriers for diverse candidates in an effort to better reflect the district's student demographic. Securing his doctorate from the University of Arkansas, Dr. Harrington's dissertation focused on ethical decision making and the importance of staff's emotional intelligence in addressing student behavior.
A proud graduate of the University of Richmond, Dr. Harrington volunteers his time as an alumni interviewer for prospective future Spiders. A happily married father of two teenage boys, Dr. Harrington enjoys hiking, paddleboarding and gardening, while remaining a passionate and loyal Yankee and Knicks fan.
Jeff Sobel
Jeff Sobel is the District Coordinator for Human Resources and Curriculum and Instruction in the Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District. Mr. Sobel has four decades of experience in public education, including 27 years serving Clarkstown Central School District (CCSD) students and families. After earning his Bachelor’s degree at SUNY Cortland and his Master’s degree at the College of New Rochelle, Jeff obtained his Professional Diploma in Educational Administration at Iona College. Mr. Sobel first came to Clarkstown as a special education teacher at Felix Festa Middle School in 1996, from there becoming an Assistant Principal at Festa in 2000 and the District Director of Personnel in 2007, before his appointment as Assistant Superintendent of Personnel in 2009..
Traci Jackson
Traci Jackson is currently the Executive Director for Human Resources for the City School District of New Rochelle. However, she did not begin her professional career in education. Prior to entering the field of education, Mrs. Jackson was a successful District Sales Manager for two of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world.
The thrill of educating others and the influence of those around her led her to step out on faith, return to school and enter the field of education. And, after 17 years as an educator in the White Plains City School District, she joined the City School District of New Rochelle, as the Executive Director of Human Resources. While Jackson loved being in the classroom, she realized that in order to influence real change in school districts she needed to leave the classroom and seek a district level administrative position. Her father had always told her “Traci, if you are not at the table, you will always be on the menu.” She decided to seek a seat at the table by joining the City School District of New Rochelle as the Executive Director for Human Resources. She is excited to be a member of an executive administrative team who have become change agents on the path towards leaving a legacy of inclusivity, betterment, and opportunities for all members of the school community.
Mrs. Jackson earned her Bachelors in Business Administration from Howard University in Washington, D.C. In addition, she earned her Master of Professional Studies in Elementary Education and Special Education from Manhattanville College and graduated from their School Building and School District Educational Leadership Advanced Studies Program. Traci has lived in Greenburgh, New York with her husband and children for over 28 years. Her son and daughter are both recent college graduates who have now begun their own professional careers, so her and her husband are learning to enjoy being empty nesters along with their dog, Mojo.
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis is the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services in the Peekskill City School District. He has worked in the Peekskill City School District since 2014. Prior to that, he was an administrator in Orange and Westchester counties and taught in The Bronx and Westchester County. Mr. Lewis has been an educator and administrator for twenty-seven years. His passion for learning, teaching, expanding minds, engaging staff and communities, and desire to always do his best has led to a fulfilling career in public service.
Mr. Lewis is proud of his Bronx roots and has said that these roots helped grow a responsible, determined, committed, and appreciative citizen. Mr. Lewis obtained his Bachelor's in Education from Baruch College. His Master’s degree in Education was awarded to him from Lehman College and his Master’s degree is school leadership was earned from Mercy University.
Mr. Lewis believes in purposeful and careful work, guiding others to be effective professionals, and collaborating with students, staff, administrators, and families.
Dr. Gail Duffy
Dr. Gail Duffy is the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction & Human Resources in the Irvington UFSD. Prior to her current position, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Administration & Instruction and Director of Curriculum & Instruction in the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns as well as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction in the Cornwall CSD. Gail has also been an elementary principal, assistant principal and assistant coordinator of special education & related services and an elementary/special education teacher. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree from the State University of Plattsburgh in Plattsburgh, NY , her Masters of Science in Education and Masters in Educational Administration from Pace University in White Plains, New York and her Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville, NY. In her 28 years in education, Gail continues to focus on how to support both students and adults with their SEL needs by offering workshops on Self-Care, SEL and Mindful movement where they can access tools and strategies to become the very best version of themselves. Gail also serves as an adjunct professor at Hunter College in the Educational Leadership Program. She is the proud mom of two teenagers who keep her grounded and remind her to stay present each day.
Dr. Joseph Lloyd
Dr. Joseph Lloyd proudly serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the South Orangetown Central School District. He has worked in the field of education for twenty-three years. He previously served as the Principal of Sloatsburg Elementary School in the Suffern Central School District, while also working as an assistant principal and classroom teacher in the North Rockland Central School District. While attaining his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Albany, he studied the impact of the New York State Annual Professional Performance Review process upon teacher morale. Since joining SOCSD in 2019, he has worked to develop his district’s talent pathways to be more diverse and inclusive by building new partnerships, expanding recruitment opportunities, and remodeling the hiring process. He is a happily married father of two children, enjoys cooking, hiking and remains a devout Buffalo Bills fanatic.
Jon Hirsch
Jon Hirsch is an experienced principal with deep experience in Westchester County that has prepared him well to guide IHS to continued success while helping the school community and its students to achieve its fullest potential,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristopher Harrison said.
As an administrator, instructional leader and innovator, Jon has a proven history of program development, community partnership and a commitment to empowering students and teachers to promote engagement and the development of 21st-century skills. His philosophy is that schools must focus on two primary areas: rigor and joy.
Jon also served as principal at Valhalla High School, where he led a high-performing and diverse high school. During his tenure, he expanded programs to support students’ social-emotional needs, increase engagement, ensure access and opportunity for all students, and created a leadership structure for teachers. Prior to that, he served as assistant principal at Ardsley High School, director and co-creator of the Learning Interdependently From Experience School at Horace Greeley High School, as well as a special education teacher at Horace Greeley High School. Hirsch began his educational career as a special education teacher and program designer with the New York City Public Schools.
Jon holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, with minors in history and African studies from Drew University, a master’s degree in special education from Long Island University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lehman College.
Stephen P. Hancock
Stephen P. Hancock was born in Queens, NY, and was raised in the Bronx. He comes from a bilingual household and is a proud son, grandson, nephew, older brother, and husband. Currently, Stephen is the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the Brewster Central School District, which serves 3,000 students, 47% being of LatinX descent. In his role, he is responsible for recruiting and retaining the very best staff members for the Brewster family.
Before coming to Brewster, Stephen spent the last 15 years in the Ossining Union Free School District where he began his career as a middle school Social Studies and Reading teacher. Furthermore, Stephen spent the last eight years serving as an administrator in Ossining as an Assistant Principal at Anne M. Dorner Middle School, as Principal of Roosevelt Elementary School, and most recently Principal of Ossining High School.
Stephen is currently a member of the New York State Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. Stephen was inducted into the St. Thomas Aquinas Hall of Fame in 2017 for his work in the field of education and his dedication to his alma mater.
Stephen earned a Master of Science in Education for School and District Leadership from Bank Street College of Education (Future School Leaders Academy). He holds a Master of Science in Literacy, Birth-Grade 12 from the College of New Rochelle, and a Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Education with a focus in History from St. Thomas Aquinas College. Lastly, he is currently pursuing his doctorate in Educational Leadership through Manhattanville College. In 2024, Stephen received the Raymond R. Delaney Scholarship from the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
Guided by the quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world”, Stephen continues to inspire and empower generations of students and educators alike, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of education.
Harry LeFevre
Harry LeFevre is currently the Interim Superintendent in the Somers Central School District. He earned a BS in Accounting from Fordham University, a teaching certificate from Pace University, an MBA from Long Island University, and his administrative certification from Southern Connecticut State University. Harry began his teaching career at John Jay High School in the Katonah Lewisboro School District in 1975 and accepted his first administrative position in the White Plains City School District in 1984. Since retiring from the North Rockland Central School District as the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Community Relations in 2007, Harry has served in a variety of “Interim” roles including building level administration, HR, and Superintendent of Schools, in eight different school districts in Westchester, Rockland, and Orange counties.
After a brief 3.5-year retirement to Georgia, Harry and his wife Reina returned to NY in August 2022, to be closer to their newest grandchildren; 2½ year-old Sofia, 1½ year-old Cade, and 1 year-old Emeliana (and Harry started a new round of Interim work!)
Dr. Corey W. Reynolds
Dr. Corey W. Reynolds is a first-generation American and the first in his family to go to college. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Seton Hall University and his master’s degree in Elementary Education from Fordham University. Dr. Reynolds went on to receive his second master’s degree from the College of New Rochelle, specializing in School Administration and Supervision. For his doctoral studies, he returned to Seton Hall University to pursue his degree in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy.
Currently serving as the Superintendent of Schools for the City School District of New Rochelle, Dr. Reynolds has served as a classroom teacher in both the Mount Vernon City and the Greenburgh Central School Districts, working as an early elementary educator in both and as an Assistant Principal and Principal in the Ossining Union Free School District. Dr. Reynolds has been employed as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the White Plains City School District, the Assistant Superintendent for Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction for Elementary Administration in the Yonkers Public Schools, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Personnel in the Greenburgh Central School District, and as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for the City School District of New Rochelle.
Dr. Andrew Ecker
Andrew J. Ecker, Ed.D. is director of the Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown Heights, NY. Dr. Ecker serves as co-president of the New York Council of Administrators of Special Education (NYCASE). Nationally, he serves on the Policy and Legislative Committee for the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) and on the review board of the Journal of Special Education Leadership. Dr. Ecker is currently on special education advisory boards for Fordham and Manhattanville Universities. Previously, he’s served as the Hudson Valley Schools’ region leader for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York, and on numerous school and community mental health networks. His prior work includes special education school improvement roles; teacher and director at a therapeutic residential high school; adjunct graduate professor; and professional basketball player. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and implementing evidence-based practices, contributed to national guidance and resources, and presented nationally on PBIS, school mental health, and special education topics.
Jackie Levine
Jackie Levine is an experienced educational leader with a strong background in curriculum development, professional learning and school culture initiatives. A current Manhattanville University doctoral student, she also holds degrees from Fordham University (M.S.T.), and the University of Miami (B.A.). Jackie has served as a regional and district leader for ten years, she is currently serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Putnam Valley Central School District.