Meet the Superintendent of Schools 

Dr. Elaine Kanas joined the District in 2008 as its new Superintendent of Schools. Prior to her work in District 30, Dr. Kanas served as Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Personnel at the Carmel Central School District in Putnam County since 2003. In that position, her responsibilities included the development and supervision of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the District’s K-12 programs, creation and management of budgets for instruction and personnel staffing and benefits, as well as directing the District’s professional development and curriculum planning committees.

Before serving Carmel, Dr. Kanas worked as the Principal of the Siwanoy Elementary School in the Pelham Public Schools in Westchester County, as professor at Columbia University, the College of New Rochelle, and Manhattan College, and held several administrative positions in school districts in upstate New York and New York City. Dr. Kanas has also been published in a range of educational publications, including the Scholastic Press “Instructor Magazine” and the National Council of Teachers of English “Primary Voices K-6” publication, volume 5.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Kanas has held leadership positions in several professional organizations, including serving as a Board member for the Pelham Arts Center, Policy Board member for Putnam Northern Westchester Teacher Center, and as a member of the Education Policy Fellowship Program. Additionally, as a strong advocate of community and parental involvement, Dr. Kanas has volunteered as a mentor for the Student Advocate Mentoring Program at Carmel High School and as a volunteer host family for the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility’s children and mothers program.

Dr. Kanas received her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University, a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science from Skidmore College.