Commissioner Rosa Appoints P-12 Deputy Commissioners as Part of Department’s Shift to Service-Oriented Approach

State Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa today announced the appointments of Angelique Johnson-Dingle to serve as Deputy Commissioner, P-12 Instructional Support, and Jason Harmon to serve as Deputy Commissioner, P-12 Operational Support. In their new roles, Ms. Johnson-Dingle and Mr. Harmon will help transform the Department from a compliance agency to one of support for students, educators, administrators, schools, and other stakeholders. In collaboration with educators and stakeholders across the state, they will implement strategic plans and policies to create safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environments for all students.

“The world of education is at a pivotal moment in history where we must address long-standing inequities, so all students have opportunities to succeed,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. “Ms. Johnson-Dingle’s experience as a seasoned educator and facilitator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion conversations make her an excellent addition to the Department. Since joining the Department, Mr. Harmon has faced increasing responsibilities in school accountability with skill and dedication, helping countless districts improve outcomes for students. I look forward to working closely with Ms. Johnson-Dingle and Mr. Harmon to advance educational equity across the state.”

“At the Department, we are changing everything we do to better support educators, administrators, and students,” Commissioner Rosa said. “Both Ms. Johnson-Dingle and Mr. Harmon are involved in this work in their current roles, and their leadership skills will take our customer service to the next level. Ms. Johnson-Dingle’s passion and enthusiasm for educating all students is an asset that will serve New York’s children well. Mr. Harmon has proven to be an exemplary partner for schools needing additional support, and he is poised to expand the Department’s collegiality in his new role. I am honored to welcome Ms. Johnson-Dingle and Mr. Harmon to their new roles at this venerable institution.”

As Deputy Commissioner for P-12 Instructional Support, Ms. Johnson-Dingle will oversee the areas of Curriculum and Instruction, Special Populations, including English Language Learners and Students with Disabilities, Early Childhood Education, School Safety, Career and Technical Education, and Expanded Learning Opportunities among other offices.

Ms. Johnson-Dingle currently serves as the District Superintendent of the Western Suffolk BOCES and possesses extensive pedagogical and leadership experience working with schools, districts, and BOCES across New York State. Through her current role, she has led regional discussions to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and serves as Co-Chair of the Suffolk County Superintendent’s Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee. Ms. Johnson-Dingle began her more than 20-year career as an elementary school teacher in the East Ramapo Central School District before transitioning to the high school level to progressively serve as a Reading and Language Arts Teacher, Literacy Coach, Facilitator for Small Learning Communities, and Summer School Assistant Principal at the Uniondale High School. Ms. Johnson-Dingle then served as a Teacher Center Director and Divisional Director for Instructional Support Services at the Western Suffolk BOCES before assuming her current role.

Ms. Johnson-Dingle holds two Master of Science degrees, one in Educational Administration and the other in Education from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lincoln University. Ms. Johnson-Dingle also holds New York State Permanent Certifications in Elementary Education, Reading, and as a School District Administrator. She will assume her new role on March 17.

As Deputy Commissioner for P-12 Operational Support, Mr. Harmon will oversee the areas of Information and Reporting Services, Student Support Services, Accountability, School Business Supports, and Assessment, among other offices.

Mr. Harmon currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Accountability and has been with the Department for nearly nine years. In that time, he has served in numerous leadership roles and worked with educational organizations across New York State, most recently leading the Department’s efforts to appropriately and equitably restart school accountability under ESSA. Mr. Harmon began his career as a museum-based educator at the Chemung Valley History Museum in Elmira, NY. He then moved to the Greater Southern Tier BOCES, where he spent nearly eight years in the Grant Services office supporting school, district, and regional initiatives before joining the Department as an Associate in Educational Improvement Services in 2013. He was promoted to a supervisor and then Director of ESSA-Funded Programs in the Office of Accountability, where he served until the Board of Regents appointed him to his current role in 2019.

Mr. Harmon holds a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History and American Studies from Elmira College. He will start in his new role on February 17.