Principal Appointed At Michelle Obama School In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — One of Newark’s three, new public schools officially has a principal, and she may be a familiar face to many Brick City residents.

Last week, Superintendent Roger León appointed LaShanda Gilliam as the principal of the new Michelle Obama Elementary School.

The school will initially enroll grades PK to 2, and will add a new grade level every year until it reaches grade 8. It’s set to open its doors in September 2021.

“When students are given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, they undoubtedly thrive,” said Gilliam, who currently serves as the vice principal at Thirteenth Avenue School.

“The Michelle Obama Elementary School will be the pillar of public service, building excellence in every student as they powerfully impact the city of Newark and the world,” Gilliam said.

The Newark Public School District provided the following background information about Gilliam:

“Raised in Newark, Ms. Gilliam attended Newark Public Schools and graduated from West Side High School. In 1995, she graduated from Montclair State University, beginning her career as a first grade teacher at Benjamin Franklin School in Newark, New Jersey. Soon thereafter, Ms. Gilliam received a Master’s degree in Reading from Montclair State University. After becoming a licensed Reading Specialist, she worked as a Resource Teacher Coordinator for the Office of Language Arts Literacy. It was during this tenure that Ms. Gilliam began to see the incredible impact she was making across the district in a variety of schools. As a result of this revelation, Ms. Gilliam decided she wanted to become a school-based instructional leader. After receiving a second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Fordham University, she became the Vice Principal of Vailsburg Middle School in 2005. Ms. Gilliam later transferred to Thirteenth Avenue School where she has flourished for the past ten years. Her tenure at Thirteenth Avenue has been marked by quality leadership and a positive climate and culture. It has also been during this time that she has been able to help lead Thirteenth Avenue School to an increase in teacher retention and student achievement.”

“Ms. Gilliam has done an absolutely incredible job in our school district,” Superintendent León said. “She understands the realities of our students and will continue to be an inspiration to students and their families.”

When the district revealed its 10-year strategic plan in November 2020, the Michelle Obama Elementary School, The School of Fashion and Design and the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology were among its centerpieces.

• See related article: Newark Schools Look To Next Decade After State Oversight Ends

According to a previous news release from district officials:

• “In efforts to continue career-driven academia, The School of Fashion and Design will begin with an inaugural class of 9th grade students, interested in exploring their academic and creative potential to influence the world of fashion. The School of Fashion and Design will feature courses in Fashion Drawing and History teaching students how to understand the exploration of the body with fabrics, using a variety of design techniques. Other courses will concentrate on Fashion Computer Arts incorporating the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience that comes with software applications typically used by designers and textile artists in the fashion industry.”
• “The Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology will also begin with an inaugural 9th grade class, seeking to prepare the next generation of Research Scientists and Information Technology Professionals. Courses will focus on bringing about organizational and technological change in all aspects of their community. The overall mission, to prepare students for immediate college and career opportunities by combining the most innovative curriculum in data science with cutting edge industry standard technology.”

All three schools are scheduled to open in the 2021-2022 year.

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