GJSD Superintendent of Schools Ms. Alicia D. Koster announced today that Pleasant Avenue Elementary School Principal Cory Cotter will be elevated to the newly created position of Director of Elementary Instruction, Assessment, and Family Engagement at the Greater Johnstown School District.
As part of the announcement, Koster also named Kristin Michaels, the District’s current Chairperson of the Committee on Special Education (CSE), to succeed Cotter as Principal of Pleasant Avenue Elementary, serving students in PK through first grade.
During its February 12 meeting, the Board of Education formally approved Cotter and Michaels for their new roles, effective July 1, 2026. In the interim, Cotter will support Michaels in her transition for the remainder of the current school year.
“This reimagining of our primary school structure will allow us to direct even more critical resources to the district’s youngest learners, at a time when early intervention, targeted support, strong instructional foundations and meaningful family engagement are more important than ever,” Superintendent of Schools Ms. Alicia D. Koster said in making the announcement.
“We are still seeing the effects of COVID and the negative impacts it had on child development, socialization, and academic readiness, which makes this structural shift so important. These added resources will strengthen early learning, and give every Johnstown child the best possible start in their educational journey,” she added.
Koster highlighted the distinct strengths and accomplished resumes of both Mrs. Cotter and Mrs. Michaels in announcing their appointments.
“Cory was born and raised in Johnstown and has a deep understanding of the history of this District and the challenges it has faced over time. Her longevity with the District and strong community relationships, combined with her passion for the work and her commitment to continuous improvement – for herself and for her building – make her exceptionally well-suited to lead our primary schools into the future,” Koster said. “This position perfectly combines Cory’s expertise and passions, and is the natural next step for her. I know she will hit the ground running and I am excited to see her absolutely shine in this new leadership role.”
In announcing Michaels’ appointment to her new position, Koster emphasized that her extensive experience with the social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of education will be a tremendous asset in supporting students during a critical stage of their development.
“With her background as a school psychologist and CSE chairperson, Kristin brings a unique perspective that will enable Johnstown to provide essential, tailored support to our youngest learners,” Koster said.
“Her leadership will be grounded in care, collaboration, and a commitment to student success – qualities she has already demonstrated through her work in special education. I have every confidence in her ability to sustain and strengthen the positive momentum currently taking hold at Pleasant Avenue and look forward to seeing her build on that progress as she continues to cultivate a supportive, inclusive environment where every child can thrive,” she added.
CORY COTTER
Director of Elementary Instruction, Assessment, and Family Engagement
As the Director of Elementary Instruction, Assessment, and Family Engagement, Cotter will oversee the primary-level principals at Pleasant Avenue and Warren Street, ensuring consistency in standards-aligned instruction for students in pre-K through fourth grade that reflects district priorities, goals, and equity initiatives.
She will lead the district’s elementary assessment system, using data to identify instructional trends and gaps, monitor student progress and program effectiveness to help inform instructional decisions.
A significant focus of Cotter’s work will be the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for elementary-level family engagement. Much of this important work is already underway, with her current role as chairperson of the District’s Shared Decision Making ad hoc committee dedicated to strengthening family engagement efforts.
“Family engagement is becoming increasingly important to student success,” Cotter said. “When families are more aware of the learning challenges their child may face and are actively involved in supporting learning at home, we see stronger academic growth, improved attendance, and more positive school experiences overall. By strengthening the connection between home and school, we create a partnership that benefits students and helps set them up for long-term success.”
Cotter will also oversee the introduction of Conscious Discipline at Warren Street Elementary for the 2026-2027 school year – an educational approach that has proven to be highly effective at Pleasant Avenue this school year, under Cotter’s leadership.
Cotter’s promotion to Director of Elementary Instruction comes after nine impactful years as Principal of Pleasant Avenue Elementary School and two years as Assistant Principal at Johnstown High School. A 26-year veteran of education, she began her career in the classroom as a social studies teacher at JHS and has continually expanded her impact on students, staff, and the District through her leadership roles.
Cotter said she will leave Pleasant Avenue with many proud accomplishments and meaningful initiatives that have had a direct impact on students and their families, including expanding age-appropriate play opportunities throughout the school day and placing a strong emphasis on literacy development.
This current school year has brought about one of her proudest moments as a building leader, highlighted by the introduction of Conscious Discipline for staff, students, and families. The program, grounded in social-emotional learning, helps children and adults manage emotions, build meaningful connections, and solve problems through self-awareness and a sense of safety. It emphasizes the concept of the school community as a “family,” promoting acts of kindness, empathy, and positive social interaction to create an environment where students feel supported and secure.
“The culture at Pleasant Avenue has dramatically changed this year from introducing Conscious Discipline,” Cotter said. “The shift started once the adults in the building latched on to the concepts and started implementing them in everyday life at Pleasant Avenue. That caused a trickle effect with our students, who are now demonstrating greater empathy, taking more ownership of their actions, and actively contributing to a positive and supportive school community. I am excited to bring this approach to our Warren Street family and help grow an even more caring, connected environment for students and staff there.”
Cotter is an alumna of Johnstown High School. She earned a B.A. in political science, with minors in both economics and education at St. Lawrence University. She received her Master of Science degree in curriculum development and instructional technology from SUNY Albany. She earned professional certifications as both a School Building Leader and School District Leader from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Cotter and her husband, Shawn, have two sons. Colin is a sophomore at Clarkson University majoring in civil engineering and competes on the university’s alpine ski team. Brady is a freshman at Norwich University majoring in construction management and is a member of the football team.
Cotter and her family enjoy spending summers on Sacandaga Lake and winters skiing at Oak Mountain and other mountains throughout New York. Together, they enjoy skiing, boating, traveling and golfing.
KRISTIN MICHAELS
Principal, Pleasant Avenue Elementary School (grades PK-1)
Mrs. Kristin Michaels is an experienced educational leader with a demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with families, students, and colleagues. She has served as the Greater Johnstown School District’s Chairperson of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) since 2023.
In this administrative role, Michaels is a member of the District’s Administrative Cabinet and Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning (SEAL) Team. She works closely with teachers and administrators to ensure continuity, equity, and high-quality curricular programming for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). She also collaborates across grade levels to implement and strengthen the District’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, ensuring that all students receive the appropriate level of academic and behavioral support. In addition, with her building and district leadership credentials, she currently provides administrative support across all four school buildings as needed.
Prior to joining GJSD, Michaels served as a school psychologist with HFM BOCES for more than 15 years, where she worked with students experiencing a wide range of learning challenges. Michaels also served as the District Coordinator for the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), where she was responsible for investigating all allegations of bullying, harassment, and discrimination, and ensuring the District’s compliance with state regulations.
As a school psychologist, Michaels collaborated with teachers and related service providers to develop behavior management and intervention plans and deliver individual and group counseling services in accordance with students’ IEPs. She also served as a liaison between families and community agencies, helping families access external support services and ensuring continuity of care for students.
Michaels earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Science in School Psychology from The College of Saint Rose. She holds professional certifications as both a School Building Leader and School District Leader, as well as permanent certification as a School Psychologist.
Michaels and her husband, Tom, reside in Mayfield with their two children, Halina (16) and TJ (10). A lifelong area resident, she grew up in Galway. In her free time, Michaels enjoys being out on the water, boating and reading – activities she treasures when her schedule allows.