Junait Shah

My name is Junait Shah (pronounced June-8), and I am honored to be running for a seat on the Catskill Central School District Board of Education. As a proud member of this community and a dedicated public educator, I’m committed to helping our schools and students flourish.

I’m no stranger to this role – I proudly served on the Board following my election in 2015. I bring nearly two decades of experience in education, having worked as a teacher, professor, and administrator in public schools and colleges from Long Island to Albany.

I hold New York State teaching certifications in Spanish and English as a New Language (ENL), as well as School Building and School District Leader administrative certifications. I earned these credentials through SUNY Oneonta, New York University, and SUNY Stony Brook. For the past eight years, I’ve worked as an administrator at both the building and district levels right here in Greene County – serving in the Catskill and Coxsackie-Athens school districts.

My family chose to make Catskill our home because we wanted to raise our children in a close-knit, prideful community. My wife is a longtime teacher at Catskill Elementary School, and our greatest achievements are our three children, who currently attend the Elementary and Middle Schools.

Since moving here, I’ve remained actively involved in the community – as a coach for the Catskill Soccer Club, a volunteer with the Exit 21 Basketball program, and a board member and coach with Catskill Little League. I also serve on the Greene County Community Services Board, which oversees local programs for mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities.

As both an educator and a parent, I understand the importance of safe, inclusive, and academically strong schools. I believe in the power of strong communities to shape even stronger schools, and I am happy to help move the Catskill Central School District forward.

Our children are our greatest gift – and together, we can ensure that every child in Catskill receives the education they deserve. Thank you!