By Haley Serrano
For 31 years, Principal Saieva has been more than just a principal in the Nyack community; she has been a mentor, a leader, and a constant source of support for generations of students. During a recent conversation reflecting on her career, one message became clear: everything she has accomplished has always centered around people.
“None of this is done in isolation,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and connection in education. Whether working alongside teachers, staff, students, or families, she believes that a strong community is built when people support one another. That belief has shaped her leadership throughout her time in Nyack and helped create an environment where students feel seen, valued, and encouraged to grow.
One of the accomplishments she is most proud of is developing the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team at the high school. At the heart of this work was her commitment to seeing students as individuals and recognizing that every student’s path is different. By helping create systems of tiered support, she worked to ensure students had access to the resources and guidance they needed not only to succeed academically, but also personally and emotionally. For Principal Saieva, making decisions has always come down to one question: What is best for kids?
Beyond programs and policies, the impact of her career can be found in the relationships she built. When asked what she is most proud of after more than three decades in education, her answer was simple yet powerful: the ability to be involved in the lives of so many young people. Over the years, students have walked through her office doors carrying excitement, stress, uncertainty, and dreams for the future, and she has consistently met them with compassion and encouragement. In many ways, she has become part of the story of countless families in the Nyack community, just as they have become part of hers.
Her advice is equally simple and lasting: “Be kind.” It is a message she has carried throughout her career and one that continues to define her leadership. She also spoke about perseverance and the importance of standing up for what you believe in, even when challenges arise. Those values have guided her through decades of change in education and inspired those around her to lead with empathy and courage.
Although retirement marks the end of this chapter, Principal Saieva admitted there is “never a right time” to step away from work she truly loves. Still, her legacy will remain deeply woven into the fabric of Nyack. The students she supported, the staff she mentored, and the community she helped strengthen will continue to carry forward the lessons she modeled every day: lead with kindness, persevere through challenges, and always put people first.
Thank you, Ms. Saieva, for your years of dedication, compassion, and unwavering belief in your students. Your impact on the Nyack community will not be forgotten, and the lives you touched will continue to reflect the kindness and leadership you brought to the school every day. We wish you nothing but happiness in this next chapter.