Mr. Nicholas Snow joined the Greater Johnstown School District on July 1, 2024 when he was appointed as the new principal at Knox Middle School, serving students in grades 5-7.
Snow joined Johnstown from the Gloversville Enlarged School District where he has served in different administrative roles since 2021, including assistant principal for Gloversville High School, principal at Kingsborough Elementary School, and assistant principal for Boulevard Elementary. While at GESD, Snow spearheaded a district-wide “Strive for Five” attendance campaign, which resulted in an increase in daily attendance across the district.
Snow’s roots are in the classroom, having previously served as a fifth grade teacher at McNulty Academy in the Greater Amsterdam School District for four years.
Now two months into the new school year, Snow has taken the time to get to know his staff and students and better understand their needs to become an impactful building leader and administrator.
“At Knox Middle School, I’ve found myself surrounded by an exceptional team of educators that demonstrates remarkable expertise in elevating student learning through their commitment to both their profession and the growth of Johnstown’s young minds,” Snow said. “The students have exceeded my expectations with their kindness, respect, and desire for learning. While we understand that challenges do happen often at this age, these moments serve as valuable opportunities for growth and development,” he added.
Snow has introduced some new initiatives, including his popular daily recorded morning announcements for staff and students, intended to help keep the school community connected. “These daily videos share essential information while adding a touch of humor through our daily jokes, which contributes to starting each day on a positive note,” he explained.
Although he has been at Johnstown for a short time, he says it didn’t take long for him to understand what makes the Greater Johnstown School District such a special place. “What makes Johnstown truly special is its character as a close-knit community deeply invested in its children’s future. Education holds a valuable place with our families, and this is evident in how our parents actively support their children’s academic, athletic, and extracurricular journeys,” Snow said.
Snow earned a degree in early childhood education from Hudson Valley Community College and his B.S. Ed from the College of Saint Rose, where he majored in elementary education with a minor in English language arts. He obtained his Master’s of Science in Education from the State University at Plattsburgh where he majored in teaching and learning, with a minor in literacy. He also received his School Building Leader and School District Leader advanced certificates from SUNY Plattsburgh.
He and his wife Kristie live in Saratoga with their three children – Kylie, Kellen, and Lincoln – and a pitbull mixed dog named Lily. In his downtime, Mr. Snow enjoys hiking and snowboarding.