By Stefan Yablonski
An unexpected event changed the course of her life.
“I grew up on the north side of Syracuse and currently live in Brewerton with my husband, Rich, and three of our six children, aged 16 to 26. Furry companions include Jagger, our mini-Aussie, and two Ragdoll-Scottish Fold cats, Nittany and Lion. Can you tell we are Penn State fans?”
Naomi Ryfun, superintendent at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, laughed. “As a family, we stay active by playing pickleball, cheering on S.U. lacrosse and hosting game nights. We also are deeply committed to our church, Believers Chapel, where Rich serves as lead pastor.”
Her path into education was shaped by an unexpected turning point.
While it was ultimately a deep connection to family and faith that shaped her professional identity as an educator and district leader, her fascination with the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the natural world is why she began her undergraduate studies at Roberts Wesleyan as a biochemistry major.
As a college freshman, she majored in biochemistry; at the time, her plan was to become a physician assistant or work in pharmaceutical sales or healthcare, she said.
“However, the summer entering my sophomore year, my father passed away suddenly due to a compromised immune system while in remission from cancer,” she said. “That following year, I took on an undergraduate teaching assistant role in a biology lab and discovered a love for teaching.”
That realization led to a lifelong commitment to learning.
After her undergraduate years, she earned a master’s degree of literacy from SUNY Oswego and eventually a doctorate in educational leadership from Regent University.
“The loss made me quickly realize that a future within a healthcare setting wasn’t my passion. Serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant for biology lab unlocked a sense of clarity, purpose and direction. That experience helped me discover, along with a nudge from one of my writing professors, that what I really enjoyed was helping others learn about the complex world around us, which is how I ended up choosing biology and adolescent education as a major. My favorite doctoral coursework, such as human learning and motivation, as well as research design and analysis, allowed me to blend my scientific mindset with a passion for human development” she said.
She began her career in public education in the Syracuse City School District as a middle school, seventh- and eighth-grade, science teacher.
“As a result of our weekly best practices meetings, I became fascinated with how the intentional use of data could improve student outcomes,” she said. “I developed an interest in assessment for learning, which eventually led to a district data coordinator role with CNYRIC. There, I supported several school districts with data verification, accountability and state reporting.
“Those professional connections and learning experiences paved the way for me to serve as the coordinator for teaching and learning at East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and pupil personnel services at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District and currently superintendent of schools at APW CSD.”
Each of those roles has brought unique challenges — from navigating new curriculum and state regulations to establishing systems that ensure student and staff success. And they all have been rewarding, she added.
“I find joy in the spark that occurs when a student understands a new concept and in the measurable improvement resulting from intentional strategic planning,” she said. “I am deeply grateful for the path that led me here to APW where it is an honor to serve our students, staff and community.”
“It has been an honor to serve as superintendent of APW for four years,” she continued. “This role focuses heavily on orchestrating systems that harmoniously integrate relationship-building, the science of teaching and learning and strategic planning to ensure fiscal responsibility, while simultaneously providing diverse opportunities and a competitive education for all learners, preparing them for their individual, chosen path.”
At APW, their strategic plan anchors the decision-making, specifically focusing on streamlining communication and creating a culture of belonging, she explained.
“We have taken intentional steps to increase outreach through parent square, which has resulted in more effective and consistent family engagement. Within our schools, we promote a safe and positive climate by teaching social awareness and self-regulation in every classroom” she said. “These efforts work together to nurture well-being and ensure that students, staff and families feel a genuine sense of belonging within our district.
“If I were to offer advice to anyone considering a career in this field, it would be to never stop learning and to actively seek feedback from peers and mentors. Education is a collaborative journey and our growth as leaders directly impacts the growth of the students and families we serve. I remain dedicated to the success of our students and the APW community.”
Read about more Women in Education:
• Rhonda Zajac: Women’s Role in Education Shifts to Leading
• Agatha Awuah: Educator is considered the architect behind OCC’s culture of evidence-based decision-making
• Sarah Gaffney: A product of the SUNY system, she has overseen a steady growth in enrollment at OCC
• Erica Hall: Program director is involved in developing curriculum, enrollment, community awareness and forming partnerships
• Jennifer King-Reese: Educator is proud of fostering greater communication among the district’s schools and employees
• Linda LeMura: She became a trailblazer in 2014 as the first lay female president of a Jesuit college in the U.S.
• Jennifer Nichols: From student to dean, administrator is settling into new position
• Kirsten Nielsen: As the founder of the physical therapist assistant program, she now serves as both its director and an instructor
• Amanda Petrie: P-TECH principal is following in her grandmother’s footsteps
• Lindi Quackenbush: Her father once observed she had more degrees than a thermometer
• Jennifer L. Ross: Interim dean was once told that she couldn’t do advanced math because she was a girl
• Donna Runner: Her mother’s commitment to education spurred superintendent’s success
