Eric Papandrea, Principal at Robert H. Gibson Technical School
Questar III BOCES is pleased to announce Eric Papandrea as the new Principal at Robert H. Gibson Technical School in Troy, NY, beginning October 31, 2025. Papandrea succeeds longtime Principal Anthony DeFazio, who retired at the end of June. DeFazio remained in the role to ensure a smooth transition and will continue to mentor Papandrea over the coming months, as needed.
“I am excited to join the Questar III BOCES team,” Papandrea said. “I look forward to building relationships with the students and staff at Robert H. Gibson Technical School and creating connections with our business partners. I can’t wait to share our students’ work ethic and accomplishments with the broader community.”
Papandrea comes to Questar III most recently from Hoosic Valley Central School District where he served as the Principal of Hoosic Valley Junior-Senior High School since July 2019. Previous experience includes being the Assistant Principal at Chatham High School, and Athletic Director and High School Social Studies teacher in the Hoosic Valley Central School District.
“Eric brings strong leadership and a passion for student success to the organization,” Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys Cruz said. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our Career and Technical Education team where he will support staff, engage with the community, and find innovative ways to help students gain the skills they need for meaningful careers.”
Papandrea’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Union College, a Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from the Graduate College of Union University (now Clarkson University) and building and district-level certification coursework at The College of Saint Rose.