Executive Leadership Candidate Named NYS Elementary Principal of the Year

Farid Johnson, a doctoral candidate in the executive leadership program at St. John Fisher University, was recently honored as Elementary School Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS).

The Principal of the Year Award is given to a SAANYS member who is committed to excellence, supports programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students, and has firm ties to parents and the community.

Johnson serves as the principal of Siwanoy Elementary School, part of the Pelham Public School District in Pelham, New York. Originally from Yonkers, Johnson taught for years in the Bronx before joining Siwanoy in 2020. It didn’t take long for him to leave a lasting mark on the school. Among his proudest accomplishments is the Siwanoy CultureFEST, an exploration of food, entertainment, stories, and traditions.

Johnson will be recognized by the District’s Board of Education in April and formally honored during SAANYS’ annual awards celebration in May.

He received his bachelor of science and master of science from Manhattanville College, earned a master of science from Bank Street College, and is currently pursuing a doctorate of education in executive leadership at Fisher.