Pocantico Hills Administrator Named NYS Leader in Digital Education

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Alana Winnick

ALBANY, NY (03/21/2025) (readMedia)-- Alana Winnick, educational technology director for the Pocantico Hills Central School District, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Leader in Digital Education Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). The award recognizes a SAANYS member who has demonstrated exceptional, creative leadership in harnessing the potential of technology to further teaching and student achievement.

Winnick recently led a transformative initiative by founding Students for Innovation, an organization dedicated to empowering students to advocate for transformative change in their schools and communities. This initiative has become a global platform for student voice, hosting a virtual student-led summit that connects participants worldwide. Through mentorship programs and local chapters, Students for Innovation has established itself as a hub for creativity, advocacy, and leadership, enabling students to implement technology-driven solutions in their schools.

Emphasizing that student leadership is at the core of educational innovation, Winnick states that "students are not just learners; they are leaders who have the ability to shape the future of education." She adds that Students for Innovation has "redefined what student-led professional development looks like by teaching educators how to integrate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, into classrooms."

Among her best practices, Winnick also believes that "educational leaders must remain deeply connected to students." In her district, she leads technology clubs for students as young as Kindergarten, providing hands-on mentorship and real-world applications of emerging technology. These clubs foster leadership, creativity, and problem-solving, while also empowering students in grades 4+ to train educators on new technologies.

Marina Pisto-Lombardo, a long-time Pocantico Hills colleague, notes that "Alana Winnick embodies the essence of leadership in our ever-evolving digital age. With a visionary approach, she bridges the gap between education and technology, inspiring others to embrace innovation with purpose. Her transformative philosophy empowers leaders, educators, and students alike, redefining classrooms as hubs of creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in a connected and technology-driven world."

Winnick has received numerous accolades for her contributions to educational technology, including being named Tech & Learning Innovative Tech Director (2023), LHRIC/SWBOCES Innovative Outstanding Leader (2024), and EdSafe Woman in AI Fellow (2024). Winnick currently serves on the NYSCATE Board of Directors (New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education), National AI Literacy Day Advisory Board (2024-present), and as the TEDx NYSCATE Program Coordinator (2024-present). She also published The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the future of Education, a successful book - and podcast - discussing how generative AI is being integrated into the classroom.

Winnick has been with the Pocantico Hills Central School District since 2020. Prior to her current role, she was a senior facilitator for educational technology at the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center (LHRIC) from 2013 to 2020 and served as an Educational Technology Specialist for Mahopac Central School District from 2011 to 2013. She holds degrees in Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, and Childhood Education, and has established herself as an international thought leader in artificial intelligence and educational technology.

Winnick and fellow 2025 award winners will be recognized at SAANYS' annual awards celebration, taking place on May 2 at the Desmond Hotel-Crown Plaza Albany.

SAANYS represents nearly 22,000 school administrators, supervisors, and retiree leaders. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to the membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).