Nicole Panton, the District’s current Director of Curriculum and Instruction, has been selected to serve as the next principal of Knox Middle School. Her appointment will be effective August 10, pending official approval by the Board of Education at its upcoming meeting on July 2. Panton replaces Nick Snow, who was recently appointed as the new principal of Johnstown High School, effective August 10.
Incoming Superintendent of Schools Alicia D. Koster praised Panton’s dedication to the District and her broad educational expertise in announcing her appointment.
“As a longtime administrator in our District, Nicole has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, and teacher support,” she said. “In going through the traditional search process to identify Knox’s next building leader, it became increasingly clear that the ideal candidate was already among us. Nicole’s vast institutional knowledge of Knox and the District, her strong relationships with teachers, and the widespread respect she has earned among staff will enable her to step confidently into this role on day one.”
Panton has been a dedicated member of the Johnstown administrative team since 2017, when she joined the District in her current position. As the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Panton assisted with District-wide curriculum initiatives, supported teacher development through professional learning, helped to improve instructional practices and student achievement, worked to integrate technology into classrooms, served as the District’s independent classroom teacher evaluator, and supported elementary and middle school master scheduling.
Her responsibilities also included oversight of Arts in Education programming for all students, management of the District’s ENL and UPK programs, and the procurement and allocation of Title funds for the District.
During her tenure as Director of Curriculum, Panton assisted the District through key initiatives aimed at reducing chronic student absenteeism, including the development of the Success Mentor Program in collaboration with building principals. She participated in comprehensive curriculum reviews and helped guide the District’s transition to a new, research-based literacy instruction model grounded in the Science of Reading. Panton also worked closely with administrators to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)—a holistic framework for identifying and addressing students’ diverse needs.
Prior to joining GJSD, Panton served as the Coordinator of Instructional Services for HFM BOCES, where she earned tenure as a School Building Leader. She began at HFM BOCES in 2010, working for four years as a Data Analyst and Training Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction. Panton’s career in education began in the classroom as a special education teacher in the Hilton Central School District in Hilton, NY.
Panton earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education, with a concentration in mathematics, from SUNY Geneseo. She received a Master’s degree in Literacy (Birth–6th Grade) from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, and later completed a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Administration at The College of Saint Rose.
Panton and her family, including her husband Joe and their 11-year old daughter Olivia, reside in Amsterdam. They have a mini goldendoodle named Bella. In her spare time, Panton enjoys being outdoors and being on the lake either water skiing or tubing. She and her family live on a working farm where they enjoy harvesting garlic and producing maple syrup. With roots in western New York, Panton and her family are passionate football fans who wholeheartedly cheer on the Buffalo Bills.