New Settlement celebrates the announcement of Meisha Ross Porter as the New York City Schools Chancellor. Chancellor Porter, who has served the children of the Bronx as a teacher, then Principal, then Superintendent before becoming Bronx Executive Superintendent, is a product of New York City Public Schools and has dedicated her life to fighting for equity, strong leadership and collaboration in our schools and communities. She is the first African American woman to lead the New York City Department of Education. Having worked her way up through the ranks of NYCDOE, Chancellor Porter brings a great awareness of the challenges city schools face, and uniquely positioned to lead our schools, in the Bronx and across the city, into the future.
“Chancellor Porter is the right person, at the right time, to lead our school system as we bring our youth and families back from the Covid-19 crisis. We are extremely excited about her appointment. This is a tremendous opportunity to build stronger, safer and more equitable public schools, here in The Bronx and across the City,” said New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel.
Chancellor Porter has worked with New Settlement’s parent organizing arm, the Parent Action Committee, to start the Bronx Borough Equity & Access Team – the first Boroughwide Equity Space in New York City. She has been a strong advocate for implementing restorative justice programs and healing centers for our schools as a proven, positive alternative to punitive disciplinary structures.
Chauncy Young, Director of PAC, worked closely with Chancellor Porter when she was Executive Bronx Superintendent to empower parents to lead the fight for safer schools. “Meisha set the expectations for the first Boroughwide commitment to school-based equity teams. She has brought energy and resources from the DOE into this work. We are hopeful that her commitment to work with us to support youth and families will continue.”
In addition to PAC, Chancellor Porter has also been a strong advocate for College Access and Success Initiatives, including New Settlement’s College Access Center program on Walton Avenue and on Taft Educational Campus. New Settlement has been a part of a four-year campaign to get the DOE to support Student Success Centers/increased college access supports at DOE Schools. To learn more about Chancellor Porter, please visit:
https://bronx.news12.com/learn-more-about-the-next-new-york-city-schools-chancellor-meisha-porter
