Meet NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Meet Melissa Aviles-Ramos, the new NYC Schools Chancellor

Melissa Aviles-Ramos has been named New York’s new schools chancellor and will take over on January 1, 2025.

Last week, parents of children in New York City public schools were told there would be a change in leadership next year during a press conference when the longtime educator was named the new NYC Schools Chancellor. In In an unusual move, the announcement came months before she started the job, and shortly after news broke that Schools Chancellor David Banks will retire at the end of 2024.

Who is Melissa Aviles-Ramos?

In the coming months, New York City parents will surely learn a lot more about the new schools chancellor, but for now, here’s a sneak peek.

Aviles-Ramos is a dedicated educator with a distinctive yet diverse background that includes multiple roles and responsibilities within the New York City Public Schools system. Although she has held various positions within the New York City Department of Education, her roots began in the classroom.

Her career in education began in 2007 when she began teaching English at Harry S. Truman High School in the Co-op City section of the Bronx. There she quickly demonstrated her passion for teaching and her dedication to student success. Over the years, she worked her way up through various leadership positions, eventually becoming deputy director and then director.

During her tenure as director, she achieved remarkable results. She increased the graduation rate by as much as 60 percent in just two years.

Additionally, Aviles-Ramos holds the position of the highest-ranking Latina and Hispanic official in New York City’s public schools. She currently serves as the Deputy Chancellor for Family and Community Engagement and External Affairs.

Psst… Check it out 21 New York schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education

Aviles-Ramos is a native New Yorker and a mother

A New York native, Aviles-Ramos knows what it’s like to be a schoolboy in New York City and overcome the challenges that come with it. Growing up in the Soundview area of ​​the Bronx, she had a modest upbringing and was raised by a Puerto Rican single mother.

As the first person in her family to graduate high school and attend college, she faced many challenges along the way. Those experiences in an environment with limited resources inspired her to fight for access and opportunity for students and families in the city. That’s why she wants to ensure that every child, regardless of his or her background, has the opportunity not only to succeed in school, but also to excel.

As a mother, she prioritizes safety at school

In an interview with CBS NewsAviles-Ramos outlined her main focus. “Our priority is that children can read, do math, be safe and have access to great programs and opportunities that will lead to success after graduation,” she explained. “I can’t imagine anyone not making that a priority.”

She has plans to address school safety, and as the mother of a public school student, she relates to the concerns. As director, she was responsible for the safety of the school and provided a safe environment for her students and teachers. “It is and remains a top priority in this administration right now,” Aviles-Ramos said. “As chancellor, it is my responsibility to make sure that we work closely with our community leaders, with our families, to really define what safety looks like.”

In addition to safety, Aviles-Ramos emphasizes the importance of supporting teachers. “When we put teacher support first, kids win,” she says. “That’s what’s important to me.”

The incoming schools chancellor believes that by providing teachers with the resources and training they need, schools can create a more positive and effective learning environment that ultimately benefits all students. By focusing on teamwork, safety and creativity, she aims to create a school culture where both students and teachers can thrive.

Psst… Check it out New York City School Calendar 2024-2025