It’s time to cast your ballot for the open seats on the NCSSS Board of Directors. Read below for more details and bios of the candidates.
The current Board of Directors is presenting a slate of two candidates for your consideration. Applications were reviewed by the Nominating Committee, which also conducted interviews with the applicants. After this vetting, the Nominating Committee recommended the slate to the Board, which agreed with the recommendation for forwarding to Institutional and District Members, per the Bylaws.
Please review the bios of the two candidates vetted by the Nominating Committee and recommended by the Board for election. Both candidates are running for three-year terms.
When you vote, you can approve the entire slate by checking the box at the top, or select certain individuals by checking the line by only those names you choose to elect.
Please vote by Tuesday, July 15!
Rachel Hoyle
Principal
Bronx High School of Science
In the fall of 2020, Rachel Hoyle became the 9th principal of the Bronx High School of Science.
Rachel joined Bronx Science in 2008 as a Chemistry teacher through the NY Teaching Fellows program and, in 2015, began leading the Physical Science and Engineering Department. Under her leadership, the department expanded to offer a three-year engineering sequence and post AP courses in Chemistry and Physics. As principal, she has overseen the planning and implementation of the new Manne Institute, a research lab devoted to high-level research for The Bronx High School of Science and its partner schools as well as the development and implementation of many new courses across all disciplines. A talented teacher, Rachel has taught top Chemistry classes and our freshman Chemistry class, an accelerated course for students who took Biology in middle school. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Religion from Charleston Southern University, an M.Div. from Duke University, and an M.S.Ed. from Lehman College.
Dr. Mandi Fraley Sonnenberg
Director of STEAM Projects and Education
St. Teresa’s Academy
Dr. Mandi Fraley Sonnenberg directs STEAM Projects and Education at St. Teresa’s Academy. STA’s STEM Program received STEM Accreditation with Distinction under her leadership in 2024. With 25 years in education, she transitioned from Rockhurst University where she earned tenure in teaching STEM graduate and undergraduate courses in the School of Education. Holding degrees from MU, UMSL, and SLU, she emphasizes student-centered learning. Sonnenberg co-founded the STEAM Studio, a nonprofit learning platform promoting design thinking. She co-authored the research based book: “Unleashing Creative Genius” and the STEAM Studio K-8 curriculum. In 2023, she received the WiSTEMM Educator STEMMy Award, recognizing her impactful STEM contributions. Mandi enjoys working with learners of all ages and researching ways to continuously grow in her career.