Ileana Eckert has been an educator for 40 years. Born in Havana, Cuba, she immigrated to the United States  with her parents in 1966. She attended Gerald Neary Elementary School, Haverstraw Middle School and North Rockland High School. After graduating from North Rockland, she received a bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College, a master’s degree from Kean College of New Jersey, and a professional diploma in educational administration from the State University of New York, New Paltz. 

          Ms. Eckert began her career as a bilingual teacher in Peekskill.  She then taught in Paterson, New Jersey, for five years, before being hired by the North Rockland Central School District.  She has been a teacher, curriculum coordinator, adult education supervisor, middle school assistant principal, director of secondary education, assistant superintendent for secondary education, and deputy superintendent. Since 2009 she has served as Superintendent of Schools for the North Rockland district, a position from which she plans to retire this year.

          Ms. Eckert has been involved with several professional and community organizations.  Most recently she was appointed as a Trustee to the Rockland Community College Board.  As a member of the North Rockland Rotary Club, she has served as director of vocational service, sergeant-at-arms, and treasurer.  She coordinates Haverstraw Police Athletic League events. While her children participated in Just for Fun Baseball, she was team mother and assistant coach.  She served as the region 3 Delegate for the State Association for Bilingual Education and is the Rockland County representative in the Mid-Hudson School Study Council, the Executive Committee of Section 1 Athletics, and Joint Policy Committee for the Lower Hudson Education Council.