(April 26, 2024) Superintendent Dr. Carmine Peluso is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Barbara Fagan-Zelazny as the Principal of the Padilla High School at the Franklin Campus, Dr. Kimberly Harris-Pappin as the Executive Director of Integrated Literacy, and Dr. Eva Thomas as the Executive Director of Early Childhood Education, effective July 1, 2024.
Dr. Barbara Fagan-Zelazny Named Principal of Padilla High School at the Franklin Campus
A Rochester native and graduate of Edison Tech, Dr. Fagan-Zelazny started her career over 30 years ago in the RCSD as a classroom teacher, teacher leader, and school building and school District leader. Her most recent role was as a Project Implementation Coordinator in the Office of Human Capital, where she led initiatives to support our school leaders. Dr. Fagan-Zelazny has served as an Assistant Principal in the West Irondequoit Central School District, a Principal in the Avon Central School District, a Principal at our own Northwest Jr. High School, a Principal of Young Women’s College Prep Charter School, and most recently, Acting Principal of Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy. Under her leadership, Avon High School was designated a Reward School, a New York State designation for schools showing the most growth. During her time at Northwest, she led significant turnaround efforts.
Dr. Fagan-Zelazny earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Education from SUNY Buffalo, a Master’s Degree in Education from Roberts Wesleyan University, Certification as a School District Administrator from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and a Doctoral Degree in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University.
Dr. Kimberly Harris-Pappin Named Executive Director of Integrated Literacy
Dr. Harris-Pappin is an educator in the Rochester City School District with a tenure of nearly thirty years, starting her career as a classroom teacher at Adlai E. Stevenson School No. 29 and later serving as an Instructional Specialist focused on literacy. She also served as an Assistant Principal at Roberto Clemente School No. 8 before becoming a Principal at Martin B. Anderson School No. 1 and Montessori Academy School No. 53, where she has been for the past seven years. In July, Dr. Harris-Pappin will transition to her new role as the Executive Director of Integrated Literacy at Central Office. She looks forward to collaborating with District and building-level leaders and reading teachers to improve students’ ability to transfer literacy skills across subjects and performance outcomes.
Dr. Harris-Pappin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and an Advanced Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from SUNY Brockport, and a Doctoral Degree in Executive Leadership and an Advanced Certification in School District Leadership from St. John Fisher University. In May, she will obtain her Data Wise Coaching certification from Harvard University.
Dr. Eva Thomas Named Executive Director of Early Childhood Education
Dr. Thomas takes on this new role after serving the Rochester community for over 25 years, most recently as the Principal of Dr. Walter Coooper Academy School No. 10. As a previous Director of Early Childhood Education, she brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted commitment to fostering inclusive and enriching learning environments for young learners. Dr. Thomas has held other leadership roles in the District, including Senior Director for Youth Development and Family Services, Assistant Principal of Roberto Clemente School No. 8, and Principal of Early Childhood School No. 57 and Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19. In the classroom, she was a special education teacher at School No. 19 and an elementary teacher at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School. Throughout her many experiences, she has worked collaboratively and effectively with students, families, and staff to ensure teaching, learning, and family engagement.
Dr. Thomas earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Delaware State College, a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Nazareth University, and a Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from St. John Fisher University.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Fagan-Zelazny, Dr. Harris-Pappin, and Dr. Thomas on their appointments.
The Superintendent would also like to announce and congratulate the following leaders on their new assignments, effective July 1, 2024.
- Ryan Clair (currently at School No. 39), Principal, John Walton Spencer School No. 16
- Lisa Garrow (currently at School No. 16), Principal, John James Audubon School No. 33
- Andrea Lee (currently at School No. 2), Principal, Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19
- Richard Smith (currently at Franklin Upper), Principal, Frank Fowler Dow School No. 52
- Djinga St. Louis (currently at School No. 106), Principal, Montessori Academy School No. 53
- Deborah Washington (currently at DAHY), Principal, Abelard Reynolds School No. 42
- Lisa Whitlow (currently at School No. 42), Principal, Rochester Early Childhood Education Center
