Far Rockaway native Meisha Porter to become fi rst
Black woman to lead NYC’s public school system
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Southeast Queens native Meisha Porter will
become the first Black woman to lead the largest
public school system in the nation, as current New
York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza
announced his resignation on Friday, Feb. 26.
After serving as the helm of New York City’s
public school system for three years, Carranza’s
surprise announcement comes a day after middle
schools reopened for in-person classes and high
schools remain closed in the midst of a pandemic
that has upended education in New York City since
March 2020. Carranza said one of the reasons for
his departure is due to “personal challenges” he
has faced, such as losing 11 family members or close
friends to COVID-19.
As Porter is set to oversee New York City schools
on March 15, Carranza said she is an “unparalleled
warrior for our students and our schools.”
“Meisha will break the mold, bringing all of her
experience, past and present, to support you and
your children,” Carranza said during the Mayor
Bill de Blasio’s daily press conference on Friday.
“You need someone who knows firsthand the reality
on the ground at our schools, and has the talent
and leadership to finish the school year out strong
and drive towards bringing every child back to
buildings in September.”
Porter was born in Far Rockaway and raised in
Jamaica by a family of educators. During her upbringing,
Porter learned from her mother, who returned
to school to finish her degree and became an
educator herself, about the difference one teacher
can make in a student’s life.
Porter is a 20-year veteran of New York City public
schools. She was a teacher and principal for 18
years, and currently serves as executive superintendent
of the Bronx school districts 7-12, covering
the entire borough and its 361 schools and 235,000
students. For Porter, it is an honor and privilege to
serve as the next schools chancellor, as she is ready
to “hit the ground running” and lead New York City
schools to a full recovery, she said.
“We are going to build up communities together
and bring people together to serve our students,”
Porter said. “To our many advocates and community
leaders, we will partner with you to keep making
New York City a better place for all children. This
moment is not about what the school system will do
alone, it’s about what New York City will do together
to invest in our children.”
As chancellor, Porter said she will remove barriers
and direct resources where they are needed
the most, and to communicate clearly around their
shared goals and commitments at every school, in
every neighborhood and in every borough.
“We have come so far since March and Chancellor
Carranza and the mayor have laid an incredible
foundation and the cabinet at the central office are
ready to go,” Porter said. “I pledge to our students
that I am indebted to you as a leader, teacher and
principal, promising to do everything to reopen high
schools, and address trauma and academic needs.”
A proud product of New York City public schools,
Porter graduated from Queens Vocational and Technical
High School in Long Island City, and went on
to receive her bachelor of arts in English concentrating
in cross cultural literature and Black and Puerto
Southeast Queens native Meisha Porter, the first Black woman to oversee NYC Schools, will start her new role
March 15. Photo courtesy of DOE
Rican studies at Hunter College, according to her
biography on Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship.
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.2 COM | MARCH 5-MARCH 11, 2021
Porter later received her master’s degree in administration
and supervision from Mercy College
and completed her school district leader certification
through the NYC Advanced Leadership Institute.
She pursued her EdD at Fordham University
in the Bronx.
Porter first joined the Department of Education
as a teacher at the Bronx School for Law, Government,
and Justice — a school she helped conceive
that sits on a court campus creating an opportunity
for young people to learn about the inner workings
of the court system. After 18 years at the school,
where she became principal, Porter spent three
years as superintendent of District 11, serving the
Pelham Parkway, Eastchester and Woodlawn neighborhoods
of the Bronx. During Porter’s tenure as executive
superintendent of the Bronx school districts,
the students of the Bronx have achieved significant
academic gains, and schools have become stronger.
In addition to previous roles within the DOE, Porter
has also taught at CUNY as an adjunct professor
and has been a Columbia University Cahn fellow,
an Aspen Institute fellow, and a member of the Harvard
University National Institute for Urban School
Leaders and a member of the Fordham University-
Carnegie Foundation iLead team. Porter has also
received the National Association of Negro Women
Sojourner Truth Award, Mercy College honorary
degree and multiple state and local recognitions.
Dedicated to her service to education in the
Bronx, Porter said she will never forget what it
means to be in a classroom with students, planning
lessons and thinking about what is important to students,
especially during this unprecedented time for
teachers who are grappling with remote learning
and in-person classes.
“For school leaders who are managing so many
multiple tasks, but are centering children first, and
district leaders who are ensuring that support and
resources are being poured into schools every day,
I will never forget,” Porter said. “I am ready to get
to work, and I am so honored to serve in this role
and I understand greatly what it means for it to be
me, and to all of the little girls out there, I’m saving
a seat for you.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
congratulated Porter on her new role.
“The challenges facing our students, families and
the entire school system amidst the ongoing COVID-
19 pandemic are unprecedented but Queens has full
confidence in the immense ability of Queens-born
trailblazer Meisha Porter, the first Black woman
to lead the Department of Education,” said Queens
Borough President Donovan Richards. “Queens
thanks Chancellor Richard Carranza for his leadership
both before and during this devastating public
health crisis, and we wish him well in his future
endeavors.”
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com or by phone at (718)
260–4526.
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