About me
Dana Benzo has spent over twenty-five years working in early childhood education with children, families, and educators. She is currently the Director of Early Childhood for the Rome City School District where she oversees the state funded UPK, 3PK and 4410 programs. Prior to joining the Rome City School District, Dana worked in higher education for CUNY's City College of New York Center for Worker Education (CWE) and School of Professional Studies as well as Bank Street College of Education. Dana joined the NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute of CUNY in 2010. During her tenure, Dana’s work focused on the creation of the credit-bearing CDA Certificate and coordination of the Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) for the CUNY School of Professional Studies. In addition, Dana coordinated multiple quality improvement initiatives serving the birth – Grade 3 population in both child care and public school sectors, as well as numerous projects for the city and state of New York dedicated to professional development initiatives related to teacher training, leadership, and workforce development. Dana created the NYS Trainer Institute for early childhood professionals and provides the six-part series throughout the state in partnership with the NY Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC). Dana holds a BS in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta, a MS in Early Childhood Education from Queens College and an Ed.M. – Advanced in Leadership for Educational Change from Bank Street College of Education. Ms. Benzo holds permanent licenses in NYS as a Teacher Birth – Grade 6 and School Administrator/ Supervisor (SAS), as well as NY Professional Development Specialist Credential.
