Eastern Suffolk BOCES Board of Education Appoints Dr. Jasmin Varela as District Superintendent

Eastern Suffolk BOCES is pleased to announce that Dr. Jasmin Varela, Ed.D., has been appointed as the Agency’s District Superintendent. She assumes the responsibility of leading one of the largest Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State.

Dr. Varela will serve as the Chief Executive Officer for the Board of Education and will work closely with Chief Operating Officer David Wicks in supporting our component school district superintendents and their boards. She will also fill the crucial role of serving as the direct representative of the Commissioner of Education to our 51 component school districts.

Dr. Varela brings exceptional diverse educational experience to the position, including her most recent role as Deputy Superintendent for Community School District 9 in the Bronx. She has served as an English Language Arts and Title I Reading Specialist helping teach English as a New Language overseas in Latin America and East Asia.

She helped establish an international school for newly arrived students (6-12) and became its founding assistant principal. She also, as principal of a PreK-5 school, helped transform the school from a School Under Registration Review (SUUR) to good academic standing during her first three years.

“Dr. Varela’s leadership has consistently led to improved student outcomes, and her collaborative approach has strengthened relationships with both educators and the community,” said Lisa Israel, president, Eastern Suffolk BOCES Board of Education. “Her vision aligns with our mission to support student achievement and prepare our students for the challenges of the future. I am confident that under her leadership, Eastern Suffolk BOCES will continue to thrive and achieve new milestones.”

As district superintendent, Dr. Varela will serve as the educational leader of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, accountable for ensuring that all of the Agency’s educational programs are aligned with the educational initiatives and standards of the State of New York.

“I am honored to be chosen as the new District Superintendent for Eastern Suffolk BOCES,” said Dr. Varela. “Having dedicated my career to ensuring students and educators thrive, I am grateful to the Board for their vote of confidence in me and eager to collaborate with them and with senior leadership. Together we will continue to nurture a culture of excellence and innovation. I look forward to advancing the academic and social-emotional outcomes for all of our students, as we reach greater heights together and continue the rich tradition of being an educational leader for our 51 component districts and industry partners.”

Dr. Varela holds a B.A. from Hunter College, a M.Ed. from Cambridge College, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, a Literacy Certificate from The CUNY School of Professional Studies, and certifications from Harvard Graduate School of Education, including the National Institute for Urban School Leaders and Harvard Institute for Superintendents and District Leaders. Most recently she completed her doctoral studies in Instructional Leadership at St. John’s University.