Lesli Myers-Small – New RCSD Superintendent
Written by Andre on May 8, 2020
The upcoming appointment of Lesli Myers-Small as school superintendent — the first woman of color to hold this position — the first person who knows Rochester – – the first person who didn’t take the job as a stepping stone to the next gig is great news for the Rochester community. Her depth of experience with struggling schools makes her exceptionally qualified to take on this role. She has the resume and direct connection to the State Education Department because she is leaving a position as the assistant commissioner at New York State Education Department to come home.
I have said how proud I am of her because she is fam! and another successful former WDKX intern, but when I read some of her resume all I could say was damnnn …Glad she’s coming home.
Lesli Myers-Small, Ed.D.
Assistant Commissioner at New York State Education Department
About
New York State Assistant Commisioner Dr. Lesli C. Myers-Small has dedicated her life to the pursuit of high quality education.
Dr. Myers-Small received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in counseling and human development, both from the University of Rochester. She continued her educational journey by earning a master’s degree in Urban Educational Administration and her Doctorate of Education in Executive Leadership from Saint John Fisher College.
Throughout her career, Dr. Myers-Small has made a tremendous impact on the field of education. She was the first African American president of the New York State School Counselor Association. She also testified before the United States Congress. It was her testimony, in part, that resulted in a spending bill for Fiscal Year 2008 that included the largest increase (77.5%) ever to the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program.
Dr. Myers-Small has received many prestigious honors that reflect her dedication to education and the community, including being named a 2016 United States Senate Woman of Distinction. She also received the Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award, St. John Fisher Distinguished Alumni Award, Urban League of Rochester Educator Award, Breakthru Magazine Empowering Award, and was a finalist for the 2016 Athena Award.
