BY BILL PARRY
An educator from Astoria
was appointed leader of the
largest Board of Cooperative
Educational Services (BOCES)
in New York State.
Dr. Carla Theodorous was
named executive director of
the Nassau BOCES Department
of Regional Schools and
Instructional Programs. The department
encompasses several
notable schools and programs
such as Barry Tech, the agency’s
premier career and technical
education high school, and Long
Island High School for the Arts,
the Island’s only public art high
school.
“I feel that to make any
organization successful, everyone
has to know that the
work they do is valuable, that
they are a part of a team, and
that each member of the team
must be heard and respected,”
Theodorous said. “If you break
down barriers and rally people
together, they will work harder
and more efficiently toward a
common goal.”
Theodorou brings more than
30 years of experience to the
position, much of which was
spent as an educational leader
in the New York City School system,
where she was a founding principal of
two high schools including Benjamin
Franklin High School for Finance and
Information Technology in Jamaica,
where students earned professional
certification in computer technology
that prepared them to enter the workforce
upon graduation.
Throughout her long and successful
career, Theodorous says she has
40 NOVEMBER 2018 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
always placed a high value on mentorship,
often serving as a mentor herself.
“When you mentor teachers, you
empower them to become leaders,”
she said. “When you show people
that they are valued and respected,
you build trust, which leads to
greater contributions that improve
students’ lives.”
Theodorous also has international
experience as the owner
and manager of the Advantage
School, a private language institute
in Cyprus. She also served
as an administrator for London
University’s International College.
“I like change and learning
new things,” Theodorous said
of what drew her to Nassau
BOCES. “The dynamics of the
agency are unique. I’m really
impressed with each building
and program that I visit, and
I’m inspired by the work that’s
happening here. I know I can
help continue to build a positive
culture, and to make the schools
even more successful.”
Nassau BOCES offers stateof
the-art programs for learners
of all ages and abilities as well
as cost-effective services for
56 school districts in Nassau
County.
“We’re excited to have her
join the team,” District Superintendent
Dr. Robert Hilton said.
“Her leadership as an educator
will benefit the agency. We’re
certain she’ll keep us on the
cutting edge of instruction.”
Theodorous holds a doctorate and
a master’s degree in education from
Teachers College at Columbia University
and both a master’s and bachelor’s
degree from Hunter College.
Feature
Photos courtesy of Nirvana Singh
Astoria Educator
Named Leader of
Nassau BOCES
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