SAANYS Member Named to State Board of Regents
Felicia Thomas-Williams, recently retired middle school principal from the Brentwood Union Free School District (UFSD) in Suffolk County and 2020 New York State Secondary Principal of the Year, has been elected as a new member of the New York State Board of Regents. The announcement was made Tuesday in Albany.
Also announced were the re-elections of Regents Roger B. Tilles, Dr. Frances G. Wills, Dr. Roger P. Catania, and Hasoni L. Pratts; the election of Keith B. Wiley; and the election of Brian J. Krist of Manhattan, as an At Large member.
Longtime SAANYS member Thomas-Williams has extensive experience in both education pedagogy and leadership that she brings to this new state leadership position. Beginning her career as a special education teacher at Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Brentwood, Thomas-Williams’ leadership abilities elevated her into various school administration roles. She led West Middle School in Brentwood for 11 years as its principal prior to retiring. While at the middle school, Thomas-Williams was honored as the 2020 New York State Secondary Principal of the Year by SAANYS and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). She went on to serve SAANYS as a member of the Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee, advocating for students and public education at the local, state, and federal levels to secure resources to enhance learning environments.
Reflected Thomas-Williams, “It is both an honor and a humbling privilege to continue my lifelong mission of serving New York State public schools and scholars at such a meaningful statewide level. This opportunity allows me to advocate for and support the educators, students, and communities that are the heart of our education system, ensuring that every student has access to the excellence they deserve.”
SAANYS Executive Director Jennifer Carlson praised the appointment, stating, “The appointment of Felicia Thomas-Williams to the New York State Board of Regents is a tremendous victory for New York’s schools, and especially for our students. Ms. Thomas-Williams has time and again demonstrated her knowledge and passion for advocating for public schools at both the state and federal levels. Her extensive and recent experience as a school principal, combined with her determination to improve the educational experience for students across the state, will be a significant asset to the Board of Regents, and her SAANYS colleagues wish her the best in this new endeavor.”
Thomas-Williams’ leadership and commitment to helping her community are long-standing and go beyond her work in the school system. She serves on the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Suffolk County Girl Scouts Board of Directors, and the Eastern Shore (NY) Chapter of The LINKS Incorporated.
In addition to being named the SAANYS/NASSP New York State Secondary Principal of the Year in 2020, she is also the recipient of the National Association of Professional Black Women Trailblazer Award, the NAACP Community Service Award, Hollywood Full Baptist Cathedral Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Long Island Caribbean Coalition Woman of Valor Award, the Suffolk County Legislator Women in History Outstanding Educator Award, the Educator of the Year award by Suffolk County Legislator Monica Martinez, a Woman of Distinction Award by Assembly Woman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, and Legislator Jason Richberg’s Educator Appreciation Award.
SAANYS also congratulates Regents Roger B. Tilles, Dr. Frances G. Wills, Dr. Roger P. Catania, and Hasoni L. Pratts on their reelection to the Board of Regents; Keith B. Wiley on his election; and Brian J. Krist of Manhattan, who will serve as an At Large member.