News & Announcements
The Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support at Southern Westchester BOCES Announces the Promotion of Sadika Clarke to the Newly Created Position of Supervisor, Community, Culture and Wellness
The Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support (PLCS) at Southern Westchester BOCES is pleased to announce the promotion of Sadika Clarke to the newly created role of Supervisor of Community, Culture, and Wellness. Clarke’s prior contributions at PLCS have laid a solid foundation for her new position. As Coordinator of Health, Safety, and Wellness, she curated various workshops focusing on social-emotional learning and trauma-informed education, embodying her commitment to educating the "whole child." Her efforts have fostered inclusive and supportive learning communities, demonstrating a profound passion for supporting students, families, and educators. In collaboration with component districts, Clarke has been instrumental in implementing strategies and programs aimed at improving school culture and climate, promoting learning for all students.
In her expanded role, Clarke will assume a dual mandate encompassing internal responsibilities within SWBOCES and external support for member school districts. Collaborating closely with PLCS's Senior Director, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wilson, and Assistant Director, Adam Weinstock, she will spearhead the creation of innovative professional development opportunities focusing on social-emotional learning, personal wellness, classroom climate, student engagement, and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. Furthermore, Clarke will play a key role in facilitating the implementation of PLCS's forthcoming New York State RECOVS Mental Health grant, which aims to address student well-being in the aftermath of trauma and learning disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing on her instrumental contributions to the expansion of the Center's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives, Clarke will also serve as the SWBOCES Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) Coordinator. In this capacity, she will lead the development of SWBOCES's DEI Strategic Plan and initiatives, working closely with the organization's DEI Committee to realize the goals outlined in the SWBOCES DEI Policy. Together with core members of PLCS, Clarke continues to co-lead PLCS's established DEI Leaders Network and annual Summer Institute for DEI, playing a pivotal role in advancing SWBOCES' commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellness.
"As Supervisor of Community, Culture, and Wellness, I am honored to lead efforts that promote inclusivity, belonging, and holistic well-being within SWBOCES and our member districts,” said Clarke. “Together, we will create environments where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed."
“Sadika’s knowledge, expertise, passion, commitment, and ability to foster relationships and build community position her well to lead this work,” said PLCS Senior Director Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wilson. “As Supervisor of Community, Culture, and Wellness, she will have both external responsibilities supporting member school districts and an elevated internal role in the Center, along with organization-wide responsibilities within SWBOCES.”
Holding a BA in Communications from Hampton University, a Master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Lehman College and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose, Clarke’s educational journey has equipped her with a unique blend of skills essential for her new role. We look forward to her continued leadership and contributions towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and healthy learning environment for all members of our educational community.
The Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support at Southern Westchester BOCES Welcomes Dr. Hope Weinberg to the position of Supervisor of Literacy and Learning
The Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support (PLCS) at Southern Westchester BOCES is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Hope Weinberg to the role of Supervisor of Literacy and Learning for the Center, a position for which she has a depth of instructional and literacy expertise having served as Supervisor of Instruction in the Toms River Regional School District in New Jersey, as a reading specialist and literacy coach in the Neptune Township School District, and district literacy coach in the Mt. Vernon City School District. In her new role, Dr. Weinberg will work closely with the Center's Senior Director, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wilson, and Assistant Director, Adam Weinstock, to develop and implement professional learning programs to strengthen curriculum planning and instructional practice for educators across our region.
Dr. Weinberg brings a wealth of experience, a profound commitment to educational excellence, and an unwavering dedication to fostering inclusive learning environments as reflected in her work with regional BOCES. At Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, she facilitated the LGBTQ+ inclusive collaborative network, the regional assistant principal forum and presented at Southern Westchester BOCES’ 3rd and 4th Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Institutes where she led sessions focused on cultivating a climate of belonging for LGBTQ+ communities within schools.
Throughout her career, Dr. Weinberg has played pivotal roles in various educational settings. Her tenure as Assistant Principal at Concord Road Elementary School, Ardsley Union Free School District, was marked by refining Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) processes and nurturing aspiring educators at the Edith Winthrop Teacher Center of Westchester. While both an Assistant Principal and doctoral student, Dr. Weinberg leveraged her Capstone project to address what she identified as an unmet need for professional development specific to Assistant Principals in the region. Supported by the PNW BOCES’ Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) team, she launched the first annual AP Regional Institute, now headed into its third year.
Dr. Weinberg believes her philosophy and experience are well suited for the new position stating, “I have always approached leadership from the perspective of being evidence-driven as well as being grounded in solid pedagogical theory, and human behavior. Additionally,the Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support is anchored by the idea of leading, teaching and learning together, which aligns with my philosophies and sparks a professional excitement to collaborate with the team to support schools within our region across all stakeholders and levels."
Senior Director Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wilson sees Dr. Weinberg as a great addition to the leadership team at PLCS. “We are elated that Hope has joined our core team! Dr. Weinberg brings a depth of knowledge and experience in literacy learning and pedagogy, school leadership, and a refreshing energy to the role of Supervisor of Literacy and Learning,” she said. “As a former assistant principal in one of the districts, Hope is familiar with PLCS’ work in the region, and has herself led sessions in our Summer Institute for DEI, and that first-hand knowledge will be of great value to the group and educators we support.”
Dr. Weinberg, the 2023 recipient of the Manhattanville College Ethel Kennedy Award for Human Rights Leadership holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Monmouth University, a master's in literacy from The College of New Rochelle, and educational leadership certifications from New Jersey EXCEL and Manhattanville College. Her recent achievement of an EdD in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College underscores her commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
The Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support at Southern Westchester BOCES Welcomes Adam Weinstock to the position of Assistant Director
The Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support (PLCS) at Southern Westchester BOCES is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Adam Weinstock to the role of Assistant Director for the center. As Assistant Director, Weinstock will work closely with the Center's Senior Director, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wilson, and PLCS team to design, implement, and evaluate professional learning programs for educators across Southern Westchester BOCES member districts and beyond. His responsibilities include developing and delivering high-quality professional learning programs, conducting needs assessments, and collaborating with educators to identify opportunities for growth and improvement with specific attention to growing our Leadership and Humanities programs.
Weinstock brings a wealth of experience to the position, including teaching and co-leading community-based middle schools in NYC, and coaching teachers and leaders at dozens of schools to advance whole school improvement efforts. He has also worked at the district level, spearheading initiatives to further the coherence and responsiveness of ELA/literacy and Social Studies curriculum, instruction, and assessment in grades K-12.
“I’ve long sought to nurture educational spaces that support and encourage all students,” said Weinstock. “I so appreciate the learning communities I’ve been a part of and also recognize the barriers to access that exist for too many, so I’m passionate about fostering conditions for all to grow and thrive, from students to fellow educators. It’s important to me to be intentional about connecting purpose and process - and to center equity, relationships, and responsiveness. I’m excited to pursue this work in collaboration with dedicated colleagues at the center and so many committed educators in our region - to positively impact well-being, teaching, and learning in our schools.”
“We are excited to welcome Adam Weinstock to the position of Assistant Director at the Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support, SWBOCES. Our Center experienced incredible interest in the PLCS Assistant Director position receiving 170+ applicants from wonderfully talented educators. Throughout our robust interview and selection process Adam emerged as our top candidate. His deep knowledge of content and pedagogy and commitment to high quality teaching and learning were expected and made known to us from his cover letter through to our final interview. This, coupled with his values, ability to forge meaningful connections, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging resonated with us. Our experiences in meeting and getting to know Adam were echoed and affirmed in our conversations with his prior supervisors and colleagues. Since his arrival we have benefited greatly from Adam’s perspective, experience, and partnership and look forward to growing together with Adam as an integral member of our leadership team.”
Weinstock received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and teaching certificate (English) from Brown University, a Master's in Educational Leadership from Baruch College as part of the NYCDOE Leadership in Education Apprenticeship Program (LEAP), and more recently completed Bank Street College's School District Leadership Certification Program.
