Dennis Walcott
Encyclopedia
Dennis Walcott is the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education
. He succeeded Cathie Black
, who resigned in April 2011 after only three months on the job.
Although Walcott lacks training as a schools administrator and requires a waiver from the New York State Education Department
under Education Commissioner
David M. Steiner, he is a former employee at Amistad Day Care Center, holds a master's degrees in the education field and is a former member of the New York City Board of Education. He also served nine years as New York City
Deputy Mayor for Education.
Prior to joining Mayor Michael Bloomberg
in 2002 as Deputy Mayor for Education, he headed the New York chapter of the Urban League.
, and also St. Croix of the United States Virgin Islands
. He is a native of Queens, New York. He attended Francis Lewis High School
, and earned a Bachelor's degree in 1973 and a Master's degree in 1974 from the University of Bridgeport
in Connecticut. He earned a Master's in Social Work from Fordham University
in 1980.
His early employment was in counseling. In 1974 he began a one and a half year tenure at the privately run pre-kindergarten Amistad Child Care and Family Center in South Jamaica, Queens.
In 1993 Mayor David Dinkins
appointed him to the predecessor agency to the Department of Education, the New York City Board of Education
. His term extended into the mayoral term of previous mayor Rudy Giuliani
. He also taught as an adjunct professor of Social Work at York College, and was a talk show radio host on community issues.
New York City Department of Education
The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system. It is the largest school system in the United States, with over 1.1 million students taught in more than 1,700 separate schools...
. He succeeded Cathie Black
Cathie Black
Cathleen Prunty "Cathie" Black is a former New York City Schools Chancellor. On April 7, 2011, Black stepped down from her position after 95 days on the job. Her appointment to replace longtime Chancellor Joel Klein was announced on November 9, 2010 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and became effective...
, who resigned in April 2011 after only three months on the job.
Although Walcott lacks training as a schools administrator and requires a waiver from the New York State Education Department
New York State Education Department
The New York State Education Department is the state education department in New York. It is part of the University of the State of New York , one of the most complete, interconnected systems of educational services in the United States...
under Education Commissioner
Commissioner of Education of the State of New York
The Commissioner of Education of the State of New York is the head of the state education department. The Board of Regents chooses a Commissioner of Education who heads the State Education Department and also serves as the President of the University of the State of New York office...
David M. Steiner, he is a former employee at Amistad Day Care Center, holds a master's degrees in the education field and is a former member of the New York City Board of Education. He also served nine years as New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Deputy Mayor for Education.
Prior to joining Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
in 2002 as Deputy Mayor for Education, he headed the New York chapter of the Urban League.
Early Life and Education
Walcott is the son of immigrants from BarbadosBarbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
, and also St. Croix of the United States Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
. He is a native of Queens, New York. He attended Francis Lewis High School
Francis Lewis High School
Francis Lewis High School is a public high school located in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Francis Lewis High School offers a number of special programs upon admission: Jacob K...
, and earned a Bachelor's degree in 1973 and a Master's degree in 1974 from the University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
in Connecticut. He earned a Master's in Social Work from Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in 1980.
His early employment was in counseling. In 1974 he began a one and a half year tenure at the privately run pre-kindergarten Amistad Child Care and Family Center in South Jamaica, Queens.
Public Service Work
In 1975, Walcott founded the Frederick Douglas Brother-to-Brother mentoring program. He went on to become President and Chief Executive of the New York Urban League for 12 years, where he expanded educational and youth service programs. He also served as Executive Director of the Harlem Dowling Westside Center, expanding services to children and families in need.In 1993 Mayor David Dinkins
David Dinkins
David Norman Dinkins is a former politician from New York City. He was the Mayor of New York City from 1990 through 1993; he was the first and is, to date, the only African American to hold that office.-Early life:...
appointed him to the predecessor agency to the Department of Education, the New York City Board of Education
New York City Board of Education
The New York City Board of Education is the governing body of the New York City Department of Education. The members of the board are appointed by the mayor and by the five borough presidents.-Rise, fall and return of Mayoral Control:...
. His term extended into the mayoral term of previous mayor Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
. He also taught as an adjunct professor of Social Work at York College, and was a talk show radio host on community issues.