Melissa Aviles-Ramos, a lifelong educator and the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader in New York City’s public schools, was appointed the next public school Chancellor for the City of New York’s public schools, replacing the outgoing David Banks last month.
The lifelong educator has been with the school system for nearly two decades and enjoys a “proven record of drastically increasing graduation rates,” according to the press release, which notes that Aviles-Ramos “builds on Nearly Three-Years of Signature Education Accomplishments That Transformed How Students Learn to Read and Do Math; Expanded Access to Early Childhood Education, Gifted and Talented Programs, Employment Opportunities for Youth, and More.”
“Becoming the chancellor for the nation’s largest school district is the ultimate job for a lifelong educator,” said incoming Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos.
“As a former teacher and a mom of a public-school student, I believe strongly in our work and in maintaining stability through this transition. Under my leadership, we will continue to strengthen our support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners, improve our city’s literacy and math proficiency rates, help our older students forge pathways to a bright future, and keep our schools safe.
“I am so grateful for Chancellor Banks’ leadership, and I thank Mayor Adams for entrusting me with continuing the work that began under his tenure.”
Aviles-Ramos currently serves as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs. According to the city’s press release, “She brings a wealth of experience fostering community engagement and supporting families to her new role, having joined New York City Public Schools in 2007 as an English teacher and then went on to serve as an assistant principal, principal (where she raised graduation rates by 60 percent in just two years), deputy superintendent, acting superintendent, and education administrator.
“Her efforts have included creating advisory councils, launching community-based projects, and spearheading initiatives that address critical issues affecting students and their families.”
In his announcement at a press conference on September 25, Mayor Eric Adams said, “Melissa is a veteran of New York City Public Schools and a lifelong educator. She brings a wealth of experience fostering community engagement and supporting families to her new role, serving in numerous roles in our public school system, and I believe she is the right woman for the moment.
“I thank Chancellor Banks for his tireless dedication to New York City families and what we have accomplished together over the last nearly three years. From transforming how our kids read to increasing math and graduation scores, instituting nation-leading universal dyslexia screenings, and dramatically expanding access to early childhood education, amongst other major achievements, we have delivered for New York City families under Chancellor Banks, and we look forward to that continued leadership under Chancellor Aviles-Ramos.”
“Over the past two years, we’ve celebrated historic achievements, from record graduation rates to expanding opportunities through our Career Pathways initiative.
Today, I’m proud to welcome Melissa Avilés-Ramos as our new chancellor, whose deep commitment to family and community engagement will build on this success. Her leadership and experience will further strengthen our schools, ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive,” said Public Schools Chancellor Banks.
“Together, we’ll continue our mission of delivering a world-class education for every child in New York City.”