Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn’s oldest private, independent school, in its 146th year, has appointed Dr. Roy J. Blash as its new president.
Dr. Blash is a career educator, a graduate of Brooklyn College, New York University and New York Law School. He is an accomplished educational leader in New York who was a NYC public school principal for 19 years. He served as a special assistant to the deputy chancellor of the NYC Board of Education and, most recently, as the executive director of Communities in Schools in New York.
For more than 33 years, Dr. Blash has been an assistant professor at Pace University’s Graduate School of Education, where he has prepared thousands of supervisors and administrators for careers in public, parochial and independent schools.
“It is a privilege and honor to return to Adelphi Academy and lead it into its 146th year. I intend to engage and teach our young people as well as prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders. I believe the best way to accomplish this is to encourage parents to become partners in their child’s educational experience. I want to work closely with parents, engage them and provide them with opportunities to contribute to making Adelphi a great place to learn.”
Dr. Blash returns to Adelphi Academy where he served as a headmaster and member of the board of trustees. He was a long time resident of the Bay Ridge community where he was active with many community and civic organizations, as well as president of the Bay Ridge Jewish Center.
Michael Lu, chair of the board of trustees, said, “Dr. Blash brings to Adelphi Academy the wisdom gained during his distinguished career in education. As a former headmaster, member of the board of trustees and a parent of an Adelphi graduate, he is committed to the success of our students and the involvement of our parents as well as the entire Adelphi community.”
Dr. Blash is committed to providing students with individual attention to maximize their potential and prepare them for college. The classroom will focus upon basic elements in the educational process, with an emphasis on teaching, learning and management. He also plans to provide parents with more tools to assist them in becoming involved in their child’s education via the Internet and other technologies.
Dr. Blash and his wife Elinor have two children, Justin, an attorney and alumnus of Adelphi Academy, and Heath a computer design engineer. Roy Blash served in the US Army, where he received a citation as outstanding soldier in the 2nd Army.
