Deputy Superintendent, District 31
New York City Department of Education

U.S.: Staten Island, New York Hub | NORTH AMERICA

Christine Chavez – educator, optimist, mother and wife – holds a record of strategic leadership spanning innovative instructional practices that support both student and adult learning. Throughout her 23 years in education, she has held progressively prominent roles that include Teacher, Reading Recovery Specialist, Literacy Coach and Assistant Principal, Principal and currently Deputy Superintendent of District 31

In her current role as Deputy Superintendent of District 31, Christine supports the collective District 31 VISION of equity.  To empower every student’s voice to cultivate their brilliance & intellectualism, so that they think critically about the world around them, problem solve tomorrow’s future, feel included in the community, value differing perspectives, advocate for themselves – to discover their inner champion, so they are successful post-secondary. (VOICE – Vision of Inclusivity & Collective Efficacy).  She is guided by the beliefs: Our students WILL learn and grow, Staff DESIRE the best for all D31 students, Equity-in-action, Students SHOULD have voice and choice in their learning experiences and Parents are OUR partners. She is utilizing her knowledge as a Compassionate Systems Master Practitioner to support the Superintendent and District to simultaneously transform the climate and culture in which students learn in District 31.

As Principal of Public School 45 – The John Tyler School, she was recognized as a recipient of the United Federation of Teacher Innovation in Education Award for the work of reducing suspensions and the school-to-prison pipeline. She was a Plenary Panelist at the American Federation of Teachers Convention and a Fellow in the Teachers College Columbia University Cahn Fellowship Program. In her ongoing work she is collaborating with The College of Staten Island, New York City Department of Education District 31 Borough Field Office and the PS45 school community to create and pilot a teacher residency program that teaches current mentors and future teachers to strive for racial equity.

Christine has served as an advisor to support the leadership at the District and City level.  She was selected by the former New York City Executive Superintendent Anthony Lodico to present at the 2019 Courageous Conversation Summit, and has embedding the practices of the Courageous Conversation About Race Protocol into her former school community.  She expanded on her leadership experience serving on NYC Chancellor Carranza and NYC Chancellor Porters Principal Advisory Council. Most recently she is part of the Developing Leaders and Learners for Professional and Academic Excellence EdPacesetters Cohort III.  Where she is working with Central Leadership Team to engage in a capstone project supporting Chancellor Banks Four Pillars: 1-Scale, sustain, and restore what works. 2-Reimagine the school experience so that youth are excited about coming to school. 3-Prioritize student health & wellness and measure its impact on student success. 4-Intentional Engagement with parents, families, and communities.