I am serving my first term on the Board of Education. I have an extensive background in education. I taught English at Kingston High School and then at North Colonie School District. I also worked as an adjunct instructor for The College of Saint Rose and Hudson Valley Community College.

Currently, I run an adult education program for 1199 SEIU’s Training and Employment Fund. This position allows me to meet with adult learners, assess their needs and find out how we can best serve them. I oversee instructors who teach TASC, NEDP and basic computer courses. In addition, I also oversee grant funded programs.

My husband and I have two children who attend the East Greenbush Central School District. We are happy with the education and opportunities they have received thus far and are committed to our community. I know that education has been turned upside down over the course of this pandemic; I am pleased to see how the district has responded in these unprecedented times.

I have a Master’s Degree in English and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. I have volunteered for various organizations such as the East Greenbush Community Library Board of Trustees, Meals on Wheels and South End Children’s Cafe.

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Samantha Phillips
Term: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

I have 20 years of experience including roles in the public and private sectors and academia. I am adept at collaborating, building partnerships, and have a keen understanding of what makes organizations thrive. I have extensive leadership experience and have served on various forums and in advisory positions.

My experiences include an appointment by Governor Charlie Baker to serve as the Director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and serving under two mayors as the Director of Emergency Management for the City of Philadelphia. I also led a research and training center at SUNY Albany and served as a Professor in Practice/adjunct lecturer at SUNY Albany and Temple University. I have a B.S. from American University and an M.P.H. and M.A. from the George Washington University and the Naval Postgraduate School, respectively.

I moved to Schodack with my family in 2017 and I am an active community member. I am excited by the opportunity to serve as a member of the East Greenbush Board of Education. I believe strongly in supporting our communities through investments in public education.

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Emily Steinbach, Vice President
Term: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025

I am serving my first term on the school board. I believe in serving the community where I live, that the board should reflect the diverse makeup of our community, and, that board members must first be good listeners and represent our entire community.

I earned a Master in Public Administration and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, SUNY Albany. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Smith College.

I have over a decade of experience in healthcare and human services. I am the Chief of Staff at the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). OCFS oversees the state’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as well as, day care. I spent many years at the NYS Department of Health in Medicaid. Before joining OCFS, I was a senior contract negotiator with the Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP) and started my career working at Albany Medical Center.

I have experience serving on three school board committees – Policy, Budget Review & Advisory (BRAC) and Finance/Audit. I am a Capital Region native and am happy to call East Greenbush home. I live with my wife, two children and dog. You can frequently find us at the town park, town library, a nearby trail or walking in our neighborhood.

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Jesse Temple, President
Term: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026

I am serving my first term on the Board of Education. As a parent of three children attending Red Mill Elementary School, I am deeply invested in the quality of education and the well-being of students in the East Greenbush Central School District.

My commitment to the community is demonstrated through my active involvement in local organizations. As a volunteer with Sponsor-A-Scholar, I work to provide specialized programs, mentoring, and academic and financial support to qualifying high school students in the Capital Region, promoting community, opportunity, responsibility, and education. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students and the importance of creating access to higher education.

I am a proud native of the Capital Region and have dedicated over 12 years to public service in New York State. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Management, and Economics from SUNY Empire State College and am currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College.

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Kimberly Turner
Term: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

I have been a resident of East Greenbush for 23 years. I am a proud parent of Alexandra (9th grade) and Nicholas (12th grade). I have a master’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Albany and worked for the Division of Parole until I resigned to stay home with my son (and later, my daughter).

I have been actively involved as Treasurer for both Genet and Goff PTOs as well as one of the primary PTO contacts for all events and activities at Goff. Since 2019, I have served as the parent representative on the district’s Advocacy Committee. I am also highly involved in Girl Scouts as both a troop leader and as a service unit Cookie Manager.

I’m extremely grateful for the quality education that my children are receiving in the EGCSD and I want to be a part of ensuring that our district continues to excel. In support of that goal, it is important to make sure that students, teachers, and staff are provided the opportunity and support they need to be successful within a safe and inclusive environment.

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Catherine Van Orden
Term: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

I have lived in East Greenbush with my husband for the past 17 years, and we have two children at Goff Middle School. I graduated from Williams College with a degree in English, and I went on to receive my teaching certification from MCLA and my Masters of Arts in English from Westfield State University.

I am currently the Tutor Coordinator for the Siena College Higher Education Opportunity Program. Prior to this position, I was the Wellness Director at the Greenbush Area YMCA where I led youth and preschool programs at the YMCA, and I taught high school English in Massachusetts.

I currently serve on the Advisory Council of the Greenbush Area YMCA and on the Parish Council for the Church of St. Mary’s in Clinton Heights. I also volunteer to support the Goff Middle School book fair, and while my children were at Genet Elementary School, I was the parent library volunteer for their classes and I taught an after school Explore and Grow class. I feel extremely blessed that my children are enrolled in the EGCSD. The quality of the teachers in the district, the variety of sports and activities that are offered, and the attention to the facilities make this one of the best school districts in the Capital Region.