Shael Polakow-Suransky will introduce himself during CEC 31 soiree at the Petrides School, Sunnyside
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The recently appointed second-in-command of the city Department of Education will introduce himself to Staten Island parents at a Community Education Council 31 meeting on Monday.
Shael Polakow-Suransky, who is currently serving as a deputy chancellor, will begin his new post as chief academic officer in January, once Hearst Magazines executive Cathleen Black takes the helm as the new schools chancellor.
Cathie Black speaks while Mayor Michael Bloomberg looks on during a news conference at City Hall on Nov. 9.
At the meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Michael J. Petrides School in Sunnyside, Suransky will discuss school progress reports and the national Common Core Standards initiative.
Suransky began his career with the city school system in 1994 as a math and history teacher. He was an assistant principal for a year before founding the Bronx International High School in 2001. He holds a degree in education and urban studies from Brown University, as well as a master's in educational leadership from the Bank Street School of Education.
His new duties will include administering education politicies and serving as an adviser to Ms. Black.
Ms. Black was chosen by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to be the new schools chancellor last month, after Joel Klein resigned to take a job as an executive vice president at Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Though critics felt the leader of the schools system should have an education background, Bloomberg said he opted for Ms. Black because of her managerial experience.
Suransky was appointed to assist her after the state refused to grant Ms. Black a waiver -- because of her lack of credentials as an educator -- unless a seasoned educator worked at her side.