News 12 highlights first Black female principal in East Ramapo

Dr. Arlene Clinkscale moved to Rockland County 60 years ago and became the first Black teacher in Pearl River.

News 12 Staff

Feb 11, 2022, 11:01 PM

Updated 1,029 days ago

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In honor of Black History Month, News 12 is featuring a woman who made her mark in Rockland County education and beyond.
Dr. Arlene Clinkscale moved to Rockland County 60 years ago and became the first Black teacher in Pearl River.
Then she became Rockland's first Black female principal in East Ramapo.
She made state history when she became the first Black female school superintendent when she took the helm at Nyack.
She finished her trailblazing career as an elementary school principal in Englewood, New Jersey.
Throughout her decadeslong journey, she says she always focused on her job and not the color of her skin.
"I have never allowed the fact that I was Black to influence what I was going to do. My goal was to be a good teacher when I was teaching and to be a good principal when I became a principal. And I felt that if I did those things, if there was any recognition to be given, I would get it and if it wasn't any recognition then so be it," says Clinkscale.