Dr. Alexandria Connally is a lifelong resident of Westchester County. She has dedicated herself to empowering students and improving the quality of education for all children. She began her career as a milieu therapist at a residential treatment facility. As her journey continued, she was appointed as a special education teacher and then assistant principal. Alexandria served as the inaugural Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Innovation of a school district in Rockland County. Currently, she holds the position of the Assistant Director of Special Services for SWBOCE’s. She was the first Black person appointed to this role.

In 2013, Alexandria transitioned to the Yonkers Public School District. She served a student body of more than 1,800 students within a unique, International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme-infused in a 6th through 12th learning environment. When appointed as assistant principal Yonkers Middle High School she led the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Program; she drove local efforts of a New York State Department of Education mentoring initiative to address enduring opportunity gaps; provided student support to young men of color. Alexandria was also a founding member of the Yonkers Basics Committee, in collaboration with Harvard University’s Boston Basics, which was developed to prepare students to enter school.

Dr. Connally serves as the assistant to Regent Fran Willis and was the was the assistant to Regent Judith Johnson. In her role Alexandria helped to shape the Committee of Equity, Integration, and Diversity. She also served as the Youth Voices Advocacy Program facilitator to the New York State Board of Regents Chancellor, Dr. Betty Rosa. Additionally, Alexandria was a member of the NYS Blue Ribbon Commission to revise the NYS Graduation Measures. She also is the DEI chair for the Westchester and Eastern Putnam PTA. and the Chairperson for the Westchester County Youth Board. Dr. Connally is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as well as The Links, Incorporated. She a member of a number of community-based organizations as well as the Northeast Governance Chair of The National Alliance of Black School Educators.

Dr. Connally is the founder and CEO of Culturally Responsive Environments and Discipline (C.R.E.A.D.). She is a certified restorative practice trainer and has expertise in culturally responsive pedagogy.

Alexandria successfully defended her dissertation entitled, “In Pursuit of Equity: Does the Implementation of Culturally Responsive Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Have an Effect on the Racial Suspension Gap?”