Beacon Principal News
Aug. 16, 2023
From Superintendent Alan Cheng:
Dear Beacon Community,
I hope all of you are having a good summer. I want to update everyone about the upcoming leadership transitions at Beacon. Principal Brady Smith’s last day will be August 27, 2023.
Our district team has been interviewing candidates are excited to announce our Interim Acting Principal, Johnny Ventura. He will begin on August 28, 2023. Our office is working closely with both to ensure a smooth transition and a successful beginning of the school year.
Please see below for a message from Brady and a short biography of Johnny.
Sincerely,
Alan Cheng, Ed.D. (he/him)
High School Superintendent
Message from Principal Brady Smith
Dear Beacon Community,
It has been my privilege to serve the students, faculty and staff, and parents, guardians, and families of the Beacon community these past three years. Though my tenure was short, I transition into retirement with fond memories of my time at this remarkable school. Not only will the daily brilliance of students and the ongoing dedication of staff stay with me, but so will the “glimmer” moments – those little glimpses of kindness, perseverance, and connection that we all witness every day and so often do not acknowledge and appreciate.
I am excited for your next Principal to continue the wonderful things happening at Beacon, and I know Johnny to be a thoughtful, student-centered, and curious leader. He will bring energy to the work, collaborate with all who support the vision and mission of the school, and work tirelessly to ensure Beacon remains a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic place with high expectations both for academic and artistic performance. I am pleased to be leaving Beacon in good hands.
-Brady Smith
Welcome Bio for IA Principal Johnny Ventura
With over two decades of devoted service in the New York City public school system, Mr. Johnny A. Ventura’s experience encompasses many roles. He passionately embraces authentic leadership as an innovative leader inside and outside the classroom. His visionary guidance has led to remarkable accomplishments across various teams, resulting in instructional excellence, cultural enhancement, and elevated graduation rates. He most recently served as an Assistant Principal at Brooklyn Tech, supervising Guidance and Special Education. Before that, he was the AP supervising Career and Technical Education and the Arts at Brooklyn Tech. He has also worked as an Assistant Principal at Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day HS and as a Guidance Counselor at Brooklyn Tech and Mott Haven Village Prep.
Mr. Ventura’s dedication extends to addressing educational disparities. He has spearheaded impactful initiatives to empower underrepresented groups through STEAM education and social-emotional learning, acting as a strong advocate for diversity and equity. His extensive expertise encompasses leadership in diverse fields such as pupil personnel, special education, physical education, health and safety, testing, career and technical education, advisory services, and visual arts.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Africana Studies from Binghamton University, a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, an advanced certificate in Family Therapy from Mercy College, and a Master of Education in School Building Leadership from Bank Street College’s Principal Institute. He is nationally certified in crisis intervention and with further studies at the Albert Ellis Institute.
Contact us at beaconpta@beaconschool.org
