Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser Announces Leadership Appointments
(August 28, 2026) Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser is pleased to announce the appointments of Jason Armstrong as Senior Executive Director of Academics, Dr. Charmaine Cohen as Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Dr. Wanda Labrador as Executive Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages (BEWL), and Eileen Kalbfus as Principal of Roberto Clemente School No. 8.
Jason Armstrong Named Senior Executive Director of Academics
As a senior leader within the Teaching and Learning Division, Mr. Armstrong will work closely with and support the Chief Academic Officer in leading the District’s academic strategy and strengthening coherence across curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and school improvement. The role will provide leadership and coordination across academic teams to ensure schools receive aligned support focused on high-quality instruction and improved outcomes for all students.
Mr. Armstrong brings 17 years of school administrative experience spanning PreK, elementary, middle, and high school settings in both urban and suburban school districts. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of PreK–8 Education for the Liverpool Central School District, where he provided strategic leadership for PreK–8 educational programming, supported the development of school principals, led instructional improvement efforts, and collaborated across departments in support of the district’s strategic plan. His responsibilities included oversight and support of 12 schools serving approximately 6,000 students, as well as six PreK program sites.
Throughout his career, Mr. Armstrong has demonstrated a strong commitment to instructional leadership, school improvement, leadership development, and creating equitable opportunities for students. He previously served for more than eight years as a principal in the Syracuse City School District, where his leadership included successfully moving a school from “Focus” status to “Good Standing,” leading comprehensive school improvement planning, and developing professional learning and instructional support teams. Earlier in his career, he served as a vice principal and school administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Le Moyne College, preparing aspiring school and district leaders in culturally responsive leadership and supervision of curriculum and instruction.
Mr. Armstrong completed the Superintendent Development Program at SUNY Oswego and earned a Certificate of Advanced Study from Le Moyne College, completing coursework for School Administrator/Supervisor and School District Administrator certification. He also holds a Master of Science in Health Education and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland. He officially begins his duties on August 28, 2026.
Dr. Charmaine Cohen Named Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement
Dr. Cohen brings more than 20 years of educational leadership experience with expertise in family and community engagement, parent leadership development, Title I administration, strategic planning, and community partnerships. Most recently, she has served as Parent Engagement Coordinator at Edison Career & Technology High School, where she leads comprehensive family engagement initiatives supporting more than 1,400 students and families.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cohen has demonstrated a strong commitment to elevating parent voice and building meaningful partnerships between schools, families, and communities. She previously established and led RCSD’s Parent University and created the Parent Leadership Academy, which prepared more than 200 parents to assume leadership roles in schools, District committees, and community organizations.
Dr. Cohen earned a Doctor of Education from the University of Rochester, master’s degrees from Nazareth University and SUNY Brockport, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Delaware State College. She also holds New York State administrative certifications as a School District Administrator, School Building Administrator, and School Administrator/Supervisor. She officially begins her duties on September 1, 2026.
Dr. Wanda Labrador Named Executive Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages
Dr. Labrador brings more than 20 years of classroom experience and more than eight years of school and District leadership experience, including her current role as Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages. In this role, she provides instructional leadership and support across 14 PreK–12 schools serving more than 2,000 multilingual learners. She has expertise in bilingual education, instructional leadership, program development, professional learning, and data-driven school improvement.
Throughout her career, Dr. Labrador has demonstrated a strong commitment to educational equity and improving outcomes for multilingual learners. Her work has focused on strengthening bilingual programming, increasing educator capacity, supporting family and community engagement, and building collaborative systems that provide students with equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities.
Dr. Labrador earned a Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from St. John Fisher University and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from SUNY Brockport. She holds New York State certifications as a School District Leader, School Building Leader, Birth–Grade 2 Teacher, and Bilingual Extension. She officially begins her duties on August 31, 2026.
Eileen Kalbfus Named Principal of Roberto Clemente School No. 8
Ms. Kalbfus brings 22 years of experience in urban education, including service as an assistant principal, District project implementation specialist, instructional coach, mentor, and classroom teacher. Most recently, she has served as Assistant Principal at Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19. She previously served as Assistant Principal at Dr. David and Ruth Anderson Academy School No. 16 and, notably, Roberto Clemente School No. 8, bringing both extensive leadership experience and familiarity with the school community to her new role.
Throughout her career, Ms. Kalbfus has demonstrated a strong commitment to high-quality instruction, school improvement, and creating collaborative school cultures focused on student achievement. Her leadership experience includes implementing MTSS, leading instructional teams through data-driven improvement cycles, strengthening professional learning, supporting school improvement planning, and developing systems and structures that help schools operate effectively. She also emphasizes building trusting relationships with staff, students, families, and community members and creating welcoming and affirming school environments.
Ms. Kalbfus holds an Advanced Certificate in Urban School Leadership from the University of Rochester, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Nazareth University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. She holds New York State certifications as a School Building Leader, School District Leader, and Elementary Education teacher, Grades N–6. She officially begins her duties on August 28, 2026.