Andre Sayegh was born at
St. Joseph’s Hospital in
Paterson on March 20, 1974.
His mother, a single immigrant
with very little formal education,
emerged from an abusive
marriage and raised Andre and
his younger brother, Aldo on
her own.
After a less than stellar
elementary school career, Andre
graduated last in his high school
class. He attended community
college for two years and
transferred to Seton Hall
University. While at the Hall,
Andre made the Dean’s List every semester and graduated number one
in his class with the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude).
In 1998 he enrolled in Columbia University’s Masters in Public
Administration program. He served as class president and worked in
the student affairs office. Andre earned his MPA in 2000.
While attending Columbia, he also taught at The Princeton Review and
in 1999 was named their first ever “Teacher of the Year.” Moreover,
Andre has served as an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University,
Montclair State University, William Paterson University, and Passaic
County Community College.
Andre’s passion for public service developed at a very early age. When
he was 14, he campaigned for the Democratic nominee for President,
Michael Dukakis. One year later, he went door-to-door for
Gubernatorial candidate, Jim Florio.
In 1994, he worked on the re-election campaign of Rep. Herb Klein
and volunteered on two additional congressional campaigns in 1996
and 1998. In 2000, Congressman Bill Pascrell hired Andre as a field
representative.
In 2002, he was appointed by then Commissioner of Education for the
State of New Jersey, William Lirbera as a liaison to the Paterson Board
of Education. After distinguishing himself as an independent-minded
watchdog, he ran for a seat on the board in 2004 and garnered a
record number of votes.
Upon taking his seat as an elected member of the board he was
instrumental in forcing the incumbent superintendent to step down
after it was discovered that the embattled schools chief
misappropriated 50 million dollars.
He has served three consecutive terms as the board’s curriculum
chairman. Under his stewardship, the district has implemented a more
rigorous curriculum which features 90-minute block scheduling in
math and literacy.
In 2005 he was named Chief of Staff to Senator John A. Girgenti.
With Andre's assistance, Senator Girgenti has been able to secure state
funding for school construction and formed a special task force to deal
with the growing gang problem.
Andre attributes all of his success to his best friend and best teacher,
his mother. Her drive and determination made him the man he is today.
A leader by example and a genuine role model, his mother’s ability to
overcome adversity has inspired Andre to serve. Her sacrifice has
given him a chance which he believes every child deserves.
St. Joseph’s Hospital in
Paterson on March 20, 1974.
His mother, a single immigrant
with very little formal education,
emerged from an abusive
marriage and raised Andre and
his younger brother, Aldo on
her own.
After a less than stellar
elementary school career, Andre
graduated last in his high school
class. He attended community
college for two years and
transferred to Seton Hall
University. While at the Hall,
Andre made the Dean’s List every semester and graduated number one
in his class with the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude).
In 1998 he enrolled in Columbia University’s Masters in Public
Administration program. He served as class president and worked in
the student affairs office. Andre earned his MPA in 2000.
While attending Columbia, he also taught at The Princeton Review and
in 1999 was named their first ever “Teacher of the Year.” Moreover,
Andre has served as an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University,
Montclair State University, William Paterson University, and Passaic
County Community College.
Andre’s passion for public service developed at a very early age. When
he was 14, he campaigned for the Democratic nominee for President,
Michael Dukakis. One year later, he went door-to-door for
Gubernatorial candidate, Jim Florio.
In 1994, he worked on the re-election campaign of Rep. Herb Klein
and volunteered on two additional congressional campaigns in 1996
and 1998. In 2000, Congressman Bill Pascrell hired Andre as a field
representative.
In 2002, he was appointed by then Commissioner of Education for the
State of New Jersey, William Lirbera as a liaison to the Paterson Board
of Education. After distinguishing himself as an independent-minded
watchdog, he ran for a seat on the board in 2004 and garnered a
record number of votes.
Upon taking his seat as an elected member of the board he was
instrumental in forcing the incumbent superintendent to step down
after it was discovered that the embattled schools chief
misappropriated 50 million dollars.
He has served three consecutive terms as the board’s curriculum
chairman. Under his stewardship, the district has implemented a more
rigorous curriculum which features 90-minute block scheduling in
math and literacy.
In 2005 he was named Chief of Staff to Senator John A. Girgenti.
With Andre's assistance, Senator Girgenti has been able to secure state
funding for school construction and formed a special task force to deal
with the growing gang problem.
Andre attributes all of his success to his best friend and best teacher,
his mother. Her drive and determination made him the man he is today.
A leader by example and a genuine role model, his mother’s ability to
overcome adversity has inspired Andre to serve. Her sacrifice has
given him a chance which he believes every child deserves.
Biography
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ONE PEOPLE.
ONE PURPOSE.
ONE PATERSON.
ONE PURPOSE.
ONE PATERSON.
| Education is the pillar of success. |
Sayegh For Mayor
Time To Unite