Erica German Announces Candidacy for Scarsdale School Board

(Submitted by Erica German)

My name is Erica German, and I am running for the Scarsdale Board of Education. I am an experienced leader in Scarsdale schools and I want to continue to serve our community.

I have been a Scarsdale resident for 18 years, first in Heathcote and then in Quaker Ridge. I currently serve as President of Scarsdale’s Parent Teacher Council (PTC), the district-wide organization that connects all seven school PTAs (five elementary schools, middle, and high school). I have served on the Quaker Ridge PTA Executive Committee twice, first as VP of Class Parents and then as President.

I am running for the Board of Education as a private citizen, not in my role as PTC President.

I am a parent of four children, ages 10, 15, 18, and 22. Two currently attend Scarsdale schools, and two are graduates of the high school. Collectively, they have attended Heathcote, Quaker Ridge, Scarsdale Middle School, and Scarsdale High School.

Having children across a wide range of ages keeps me closely connected to issues spanning elementary through college. My family has experienced Scarsdale’s commitment to excellence in education since my mother-in-law started as a student in Scarsdale schools 70 years ago. My husband Jonathan Potack graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1994.

I am seeking to continue my leadership in the District as a member of the Board of Education, by:

-Creating thoughtful policy that puts students first

-Implementing responsible budgeting that balances educational excellence with fiscal responsibility, for the benefit of the community at large

-Engaging in long-term District planning, informed by actively listening to community priorities

I believe that my professional skills as a practicing psychiatrist give me a unique understanding of the importance of student well-being. I teach doctor–patient communication skills to first-year medical students at New York Medical College. I have additional training in couples and family therapy. I hold a BA in psychology from Princeton University and an MD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

I initially became involved in the Scarsdale school community in 2009 as a class parent and an enthusiastic Heathcote garden volunteer, and over time, I have served in various PTA committee and leadership roles at Heathcote and Quaker Ridge. In my current role serving as President of Scarsdale’s District-wide PTC, I collaborate with parents, teachers, and administrators, across a range of district-wide committees including CHILD special education parent support/advisory program, Belonging, Food Services, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, and Student Wellness. I have attended nearly all of the public Board of Education meetings over the past two years, giving me a close understanding of Board operations.

I consider myself a thoughtful, curious, and collaborative leader. In both my professional work and my volunteer roles, I am focused on listening carefully, asking questions, and working to understand multiple perspectives. I believe that strong decisions are grounded in thoughtful analysis.

A priority that is especially important to me is fostering a strong sense of connection and belonging within our Scarsdale school community. Academic excellence is essential, and so is ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and valued. These beliefs have guided much of my work, while serving as Quaker Ridge PTA President and this year, as PTC President.

I would be honored to serve the community as a Board of Education member and to help ensure that Scarsdale schools remain strong and supportive for all students.

Erica German