A press release announcing the appointment by the BOE for Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi as the Superintendent of Nyack Public Schools is posted here.
BOARD OF EDUCATION TO APPOINT SUPERINTENDENT DR. LIZZETTE RUIZ-GIOVINAZZI on March 18, 2025
Nyack, New York (March 14, 2025) – The Nyack Union Free School District Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi, Ed.D. as Superintendent of Schools at its next Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 18. After an intensive process, the Board plans to celebrate the culmination of this landmark decision with a reception, following the anticipated vote of confidence Nyack’s trustees are expected to make Tuesday evening.
“We are beyond thrilled to reach this point. We know that Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi’s leadership, vision, characteristics, and proven expertise is exactly what we need for Nyack right now” said Board President Jen Marraccino. “We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi for the incredible work she has already begun as Interim Superintendent during this past year. Her proven level of unwavering commitment, insight, and transformative leadership capacity has already been remarkable. We are confident that the best is yet to come with ‘Dr. LRG’ as our Superintendent of Schools”.
Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi stepped into the role of Interim Superintendent in July, 2024. Over the past nine months, she has emerged as a fierce and formidable administrator. Prioritizing an agenda to both honor a Nyack-strong history and build her team, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi launched the school year with a RedHawk Ready theme to remember, refresh and reunify Nyack’s staff, bringing back joy to the daily work of educating students. Throughout the year, an emphasis has been placed on recentering the district’s vision and mission. She presented her Leadership Vision to the Board and community in January. Met with great enthusiasm, she stated her philosophy: “Leadership isn’t about seeking perfection, it’s about caring deeply. When we lead with love, we elevate everyone around us and that’s where true impact is made.”
With nearly thirty years of experience, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi is an educator, administrator, innovator and thought leader. She began her career as a Social Studies teacher in DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx where she taught all grades and student skill levels, including ELL students and students with special needs. She served thirteen years in Wappingers Falls School District, with focus on cultivating global thinking, mindfulness, social emotional learning and cultural competencies within students and staff. As Dean of Students, she oversaw the creation of a school-wide professional development plan that aligned with the school‘s needs based on student data. She went on to serve as Assistant Principal, then Director of Social Studies, English, ENL, Equity and Libraries before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Personnel for Carmel Central School District.
Seeking an environment that paired her zeal for engaging a team approach to systemic change with antiracist and multi-cultural values, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi was drawn to the Nyack Public Schools community. In 2022, she began her service to Nyack’s teachers and students as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. During a time of transition, she offered astute agility with a profound ability to lift up others.
Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi earned a doctoral degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Fordham University. Her thesis was titled Cultivating Resilience for District Women Administrators of Color as Equity Leaders in Predominantly White Districts. She received a BA in Education from Manhattan College; an MSE in Learning Technology from Mercy College; and holds a Leadership Certification in School Building and District Leadership from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She has provided training and presented across the Mid-Hudson region and is sought after as an educational speaker throughout the State.
The Board wishes to invite the community to celebrate naming Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi as Superintendent and looks forward to engaging staff, students, and stakeholders as she builds a strategic plan and leads a district-wide culture of love in education.
