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
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
ONE PEOPLE.
ONE PURPOSE.
ONE PATERSON.
ONE PURPOSE.
ONE PATERSON.
| Education is the pillar of success. |
Sayegh For The Sixth
Bringing Neighbors Together