Stephen Karandy is the new Director of Data and Technology at East Greenbush CSD. In his new role he will oversee the district’s data and technology departments, including student information systems, state reporting, K-12 instructional technology, and cybersecurity.

Mr. Karandy brings a strong background in school leadership, instructional technology, and data-driven student support to East Greenbush. He spent the first seven years of his career as a classroom teacher before moving into school administration as an assistant principal. In his previous role at Mohonasen Central School District, he served dual roles as the Administrator for K-12 Instructional Technology and Assistant Principal at Mohonasen High School.

We sat down with Mr. Karandy to discuss his new role and responsibilities.

Q: How’s the job going so far?

Great! I’ve been learning all the district’s systems. I’ve visited different school buildings, met with the different principals, and gotten to know the central administration staff. It’s been awesome. I love what I’m doing, and we have a lot of exciting things on the horizon.

Q: What are some of your job duties?

On the data side, it’s managing our student information system, working on different reports for state reporting, as well as working with our Pupil Personal Services Department on some of the reports they need for Special Education.

On the IT side, I oversee the internet, Wi-Fi, and the switches, as well as our cybersecurity. Then there is the instructional side, which is a lot of what I did in my previous role as an administrator for K-12 Instructional Technology. It’s about finding where we can leverage technology in appropriate and intentional ways so that we’re able to get great outcomes with using our Chromebooks, and the different tools that we subscribe to. We’re looking at how we can leverage AI with instructional practices, and utilizing it from a safe and appropriate standpoint, as well as putting together some great professional development opportunities that I’m excited to bring to our staff and our families here at East Greenbush.

Q: Why did you want this job?

I was a Special Education teacher for six years. Before that, I did social studies for a year. In 2022, I did my first Assistant Principal job at Queensbury at the intermediate school. At my previous role at Mohonasen Central School District I took on the role of Administrator for K-12 Instructional Technology on top of being an Assistant Principal.

So this position, I knew was always a goal of mine. I had always wanted to be in East Greenbush. I’ve known of the district for years. There are many great school community members that I respect and trust. When I heard that the position was going to be open this spring, there were a lot of late nights preparing for how I wanted to apply for the job and put together some great pieces to share what I’ve done and what I can bring to the district.

Q: How have your career experiences prepared you for this position?

My experiences as a teacher, an Assistant Principal and as an Instructional Technology Administrator has helped prepare me for this role. They have given me multiple perspectives to meet people where they’re at, and help bring them along on this tech journey.

Q: What do you enjoy about working in education?

There’s so many great opportunities at school, not just from an academic standpoint, but whether you’re involved in different clubs, sports, you know, you’re part of a community and you’re proud of that community.

For me, now being on the other side as an administrator, I’m able to help build systems and workflows and improve the student experience. So, while I’m not working as closely with students, my focus is still on the students, but also on the teachers.

If you want to make the student experience better, you help make the teacher experience better. There’s no other area of work that I would rather be a part of than the education world.

Q: Is there anything that you’re really excited about with this new position?

Meeting the staff, working with the teachers, and helping us build an innovative mindset. Teaching is challenging as it is, and if we can take something off their plate, make their lives easier, and help them be more innovative, that excites me.