Mayor appoints new Schools Chancellor

September 26, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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NEW YORK CITY — Melissa Aviles-Ramos, a veteran of New York City Public Schools and a lifelong educator, was officially named on Wednesday, Sept. 25, as the new Chancellor of the NYC Public Schools. Mayor Eric Adams appointed Aviles-Ramos to succeed Chancellor David C. Banks, who unexpectedly announced his retirement on Tuesday. Aviles-Ramos’ new role takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.

News sources earlier on Wednesday anticipated Aviles-Ramos’ becoming the next educator to lead the nation’s largest school system.

The highest-ranking Latinx and Spanish-speaking leader in New York City Public Schools, Aviles-Ramos currently serves as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs. She joined New York City Public Schools in 2007 as an English teacher, and then was promoted as an assistant principal, principal (where she raised graduation rates by 60% in 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.

The first in her family to graduate from high school and to attend college, Aviles-Ramos has transformed her own under-resourced upbringing into a fierce pursuit of equal educational access for students and families throughout the city.

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