Lyda Ragonese is an educational leader and a passionate advocate for multilingual and multicultural education. She currently serves as the Supervising Director for the Department of English as a New Language, World Languages, and Bilingual Education in the Syracuse City School District. A proud Hmong-American from Laos and a fluent Hmong speaker, Lyda brings a powerful cultural and linguistic perspective to her leadership.
Lyda began her career in 1993 as an ENL teacher at Franklin Elementary and later at Frazer K–8 School. Since then, she has remained deeply committed to advancing equity and academic excellence for multilingual learners. She holds a TESOL certification from Le Moyne College, a master’s degree in Reading Education, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies (C.A.S.) in Educational Leadership from Syracuse University.
In her current role, Lyda has played a pivotal part in expanding and strengthening bilingual education programs districtwide. She has led the development of dual language pathways, designed culturally responsive curricula, and was instrumental in establishing the district’s New York State Seal of Biliteracy program. Her efforts have created opportunities for K–12 multilingual learners to continue studying and celebrating their native languages. She is also actively working to enhance the district’s Native American education program and to support multilingual learners’ access to—and success in—Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
A former treasurer of the Syracuse Teachers Association, Lyda has been an advocate for educators as well as students, contributing to policy development and championing professional excellence. Her career is defined by an unwavering commitment to linguistic diversity, educational equity, and the empowerment of every learner.
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