Newark Welcomes 1st Latino School Superintendent In 163 Years

NEWARK, NJ — There are two magic numbers in the Newark Public School District: 22 and 163.

Earlier this week, Roger León officially began his term as the first permanent superintendent of the Newark public school system since the district regained control after 22 years of state supervision. León is also the first Latino superintendent in the district’s 163-year history, administrators said.

The Newark native has spent his entire life in the Brick City, and has been a student, teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in the local school system.

• See related article: Newark Regains Control Of Schools After 22-Year State Takeover
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“I am honored, humbled, blessed, prepared, and poised for this opportunity, and look forward to the journey ahead,” León said. “As superintendent, I will inherently be a proficient and influential agent of change. Where we are today is historic, but we will need to work collaboratively unlike ever before so that all of our students win.”

According to district administrators, the Montclair State University alum has taught thousands and mentored hundreds, literally witnessing “generational progress” in Newark.

“I have lived the full spectrum of this city and its educational system,” León emphasized. “I have lived through what it was, struggled and fought through what it became, and will influence what it has the potential to become.”

Some of the priorities that León is looking at for the district include:

• an advanced technological curriculum
• cross-institutional relationships
• workforce development
• collaborations with the bioethics field

“We are at a very important time in this district’s history and we unequivocally believe that he has the vision to guide us progressively forward,” Board of Education Chair Josephine Garcia said.

“We are very confident in his leadership and passion,” agreed BOE Vice Chair Dawn Haynes. “He believes in Newark and Newark believes in him.”

District officials provided the following information/background about the history-making superintendent.

“Mr. León attended Hawkins Street School from kindergarten to 8th grade and graduated from Science High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Rutgers University and was determined to remain in Newark to teach and impact lives at both of his alma maters. For three years, he taught 5th grade at Hawkins Street School and was the Head Coach of the Science High School Debate Team for eight years. His classes won local competitions and his students demonstrated high academic growth. The debate team won local, state, and national championships. The 8th Grade Algebra Pilot resulted in his move to Rafael Hernández Elementary School. León taught Algebra I to 8th graders for high school credit and provided intensive professional development in mathematics to Newark teachers across the district. The success of this project resulted in hundreds of 8th grade students earning high school credit in Algebra I, teachers earning dual certification in Mathematics, and the district’s highest elementary mathematics standardized test scores in years.

León earned his Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from Montclair State University and subsequently served as a turnaround principal in Newark for ten years. León was the principal of Dr. William H. Horton School for four years and University High School of the Humanities for six years. Since León believes that every child is a genius, it was his responsibility to lead and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to improve both schools. With the Accelerated Schools Project model at Horton, he promoted data driven instruction, built a strong culture of achievement, and increased parent and community involvement. Student achievement increased, attendance improved, and discipline referrals decreased. Under his leadership at University, the school implemented its own whole school reform model, which was a return to the school’s original design; a school that is an engine of social change and social justice. As a result, the middle grades standardized test scores ranked #1 in New Jersey and the school became the top performing high school in the city, one of the top 75 high schools in the state, and ranked one of the top high schools in the country.

León has served as the Assistant Superintendent in the Newark Public Schools for ten years. León’s vision was to set high educational standards for everyone in every school and provide all of the necessary time and resources to effectuate change across the district. His mission was to improve the lives of our students and their families and strengthen the community. In this capacity, he supervised the school leadership team of the high schools and a network of elementary schools, served as the Deputy Chief Academic Officer in charge of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support Services, and directed administration responsibilities district-wide. This ten-year experience drove national, state, and local education reforms where he led, co-led, and implemented new standards from ESEA to NCLB to now, ESSA. The reforms influenced early childhood, special education, bilingual education, and elementary and secondary education in the city of Newark. León spearheaded and organized major initiatives and community conversations influencing change throughout the entire district. During these ten years, León led and worked collaboratively with local and state agencies, higher education, foundations, private-public partners, community based organizations, faith-based organizations, elected officials, principals, teachers and staff, every central office department, community advocates, parents and students.”

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Photo: Newark Public Schools