October 16, 2024: My Commitment to You
Dear Families,
I am honored and excited to be your new Chancellor. As a lifelong educator and mom of a New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) student, I am eager to work with and serve you.
When I was a child growing up in the Bronx, my mother taught me that education was the ticket to a life of prosperity and fulfillment. I decided to become a teacher in 2007 because I, like my mother, believe in the power of education to change lives.
I began my career in the classroom at Harry S. Truman High School and went on to become an administrator at both the school and district levels. As chief of staff to former Chancellor Banks, I spearheaded Project Open Arms, a multi-agency effort to welcome and support our 45,000-plus newest New Yorkers. In my most recent role, I served as the Deputy Chancellor of Family and Community Engagement and External Affairs, fostering partnerships between families, schools, and communities.
I know this school system inside and out—and with each passing year, I grow even more amazed at the talent of our staff, the innovation in our classrooms, the dedication of our families and parent leaders, and the brilliance of our students. To become the next Chancellor is the culmination of my life’s work.
I want to thank Mayor Adams for this opportunity and Chancellor Banks for his immense contributions to our school system. The initiatives we’ve launched—from NYC Reads to our reimagined Student Pathways—have been truly transformative, and I am eager to continue these programs. Please know that I am committed to stability and consistency in the day-to-day operation of our schools.
As an NYCPS parent myself, I will work my hardest to ensure our schools are safe and welcoming spaces for our children, that they set a high academic bar, and that they provide rich opportunities for learning and growth. I commit to advocating for each of our children just as I would for my own daughter. And I commit to listening to the wisdom of our families and ensuring we are doing our part as an agency to communicate clearly and often.
I’m excited to continue building bright starts and bold futures for the children of our city, and I look forward to all that we will achieve together. Thank you for choosing New York City Public Schools for your children.
In partnership,
Melissa Aviles-Ramos, Chancellor
