New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sept. 25 that Melissa Aviles-Ramos, described as a veteran of New York City public schools and a lifelong educator, as the new public schools’ chancellor, effective Jan. 1, 2025, when Chancellor David A. Banks retires.

 

As reported, Banks announced his retirement on Tuesday, Sept. 24. It follows news of a recent investigation by federal agents during which his home, along with the homes of other top Adams administration officials were raided on Sept. 4. The other officials targeted in the raid were former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks, David Banks’ brother. Norwood News readers recently weighed in on the matter as part of our latest Inquiring Photographer series.

 

City officials said Aviles-Ramos is the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader in the New York City Public Schools system, and currently serves as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs.

 

They said 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 having gone on to serve as an assistant principal, principal (where she brought up graduation rates by 60 percent in just two years), deputy superintendent, acting superintendent, and education administrator.

 

Announcing her appointment, Adams, who later that day, responded to news of an expected indictment on Thursday, Sept. 26, following a federal investigation into campaign financing amid his 2021 mayoral election campaign bid, said, “Today, I could not be prouder to announce somebody who possesses a fierce commitment to public education as our next public schools chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos.”

 

Adams continued, “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.”

 

The mayor thanked Banks, once again, for what he described as his tireless dedication to New York City families and what he said they had accomplished together over almost three years.

 

City officials said Aviles-Ramos’s efforts have included creating advisory councils, launching community-based projects, and spearheading initiatives that address critical issues affecting students and their families.

 

“Becoming the chancellor for nation’s largest school district is the ultimate job for a lifelong educator,” the incoming chancellor said. “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 supports 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.”

 

Aviles-Ramos thanked both Banks for his leadership [as did many other senior Adams administration officials] and the mayor for entrusting her with continuing the work she said began under his tenure.

 

For his part, Banks said, “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 that every student has the support they need to thrive. Together, we’ll continue our mission of delivering a world-class education for every child in New York City.”

 

According to City officials, Aviles-Ramos was born and raised in the Soundview section of The Bronx, the daughter of a Puerto Rican single mother. They said she is the first in her family to graduate from high school, and the first in her family to attend college, adding that her own under-resourced upbringing led her to “fiercely pursue creating access for students and families across New York City.”

 

City officials said the incoming chancellor brings a wealth of knowledge of the city’s public school system,  has served as a devoted teacher, assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent, and acting superintendent before transitioning to a central office position where she played a pivotal role in developing ‘Project Open Arms,’ New York City Public Schools’ response to the influx of migrant families seeking asylum. They said her efforts included creating advisory councils, launching community-based projects, and spearheading initiatives that address critical issues affecting students and their families.

 

They said Aviles-Ramos started her career as an English teacher at Truman High School in 2007 before moving on to become the principal at Schuylerville Preparatory High School, where she increased the graduation rate from 23 percent to 68 percent in her first year, and from 68 percent to 83 percent in her second year, with approximately 71 percent of English language learner students being deemed college ready.

 

They said she went on to serve as a senior executive director of program implementation in the Office of the First Deputy Chancellor before transitioning to chief of staff to Banks, and later ascending to her current role of deputy chancellor of family and community engagement and external affairs.

 

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and City Council Education Chair Rita Joseph later said of Aviles-Ramos’s appointment, in a joint statement, “As the leader of the country’s largest public school system, every Department of Education Chancellor must be a fighter for New York City’s students, be willing to hear and learn from New York City’s diverse communities and remain committed to improving public education.”

 

They added, “We are glad incoming Chancellor Aviles-Ramos has demonstrated experience in the classroom and understands how the DOE works, which will allow for an easier transition and stability for New York City’s school communities. From early childhood education to special education services, multilingual learning, and NYC Reads and Solves, there remains significant work to do to prepare all our students for successful futures. Families are relying on the City to help meet their needs, and we look forward to continuing our partnership and collaboration on behalf of all of New York City’s school communities.”

 

Aviles-Ramos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, and a Master of Arts degree from CUNY City College. She is a mother to a daughter.

 

Keri Alfano, principal of Harry Truman High School in CoOp City said, “Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos brings invaluable leadership experience to this role, having served in nearly every capacity within our schools, from teacher to principal to superintendent.” She added, “As a school leader, I’m inspired by her passion for community engagement and her relentless focus on student success. Her leadership is the kind we need to continue transforming our education system.”

 

Meanwhile, Yvette Rivera, principal of Bronx Early College Academy, located in the vicinity of the Concourse section of The Bronx, said, “Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos has been a steadfast partner to me at every level.” She added, “I can say that her ability to unite educators, families, and communities is second to none. Her leadership in addressing critical issues like language access and the needs of migrant students has been extraordinary. As chancellor, she will undoubtedly build an even more inclusive and equitable education system for all.”