Type Of Business:
School Turnaround and Transformation
Charter School Management
Pathways to College and Careers
Private Schools
Marketing Area:
National and International Markets
Expertise:
Leadership Development
Charter School Startup, Program Implementation and Oversight
Financial Management/Budgets for Charter Schools
Client Relationships
Customer Service
Values Driven Organizations
Team Building
Professional Growth and Development
Major Product/SVS:
School Turnaround and Transformation Systems and Processes
School performance rubrics and CTQ standards that ensure academic, operational and cultural excellence
Leadership Development Programs
Quality School Reviews
Charter School Startup and Oversight Plans
Standards of School Excellence
Team Building Processes
Building a Values Driven Organization
Professional Development to build Teacher Quality
Mentoring and Coaching Systems
Budget Management Tools
Favorite Business Publication:
Education Leadership
The Kappan
Edutopia
Ed Week
Hobbies/Sports:
Golf
Tennis
Football
Travel
Cooking
Wine
Education Degrees:
Bachelors Degree - Education
Masters Degree - Educational Administration
Certificate of Advanced Study - Leadership
PhD - Education Administration - Theory, Policy and Change
Dissertation: The Impact of Professional Community on Poverty and School Achievement
Affiliations Awards:
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; National Association of School Principals
Phi Delta Kappa
Who's Who in American Education
Who's Who in American Women
Who's Who in National Honor Society
Place of Birth:
Rochester, NY
State/Country of Origin:
USA
Date of Distinction:
7/28/2011
Work History:
Rochester City School District (1971-1999)
Edison Schools/Edison Learning (1999-2009)
Global Partnership Schools/GEMS Education Americas (2009 to present)
Career Achievements:
Teacher of the Year - Rochester NY
Distinguished Educator of the Year - NY State
Principal of School #46 - Rochester NY
Director of Magnet Schools - Rochester City Schools
VP of Startup for 32 charter schools, many of which are still thriving for over 10 years
SVP of Eastern US Charter Schools, overseeing 52 urban charters schools in NY, PA, DE, DC, MD, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, OH
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
The ability to develop schools that deliver academic, operational and cultural excellence, despite high poverty. Providing access to a quality education to underserved urban students in the US, no matter their zip code, socio-economic status or family background
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
The recognition that my students and teachers recieved for being one of the nation's highest performing Title I high poverty schools;
Receiving my doctorate from the University of Rochester;
Having 8 of my teachers go on to become administrators and school leaders
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
As someone who is supportive, resourceful and caring;
As a person who has the ability to bring out the best in others;
As an leader who nurtures and develops quality teaching and leadership skills in those around me.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
Poverty and its impact on the life chances of children
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Michelle and Barack Obama because they believe in equality and a chance for anyone to achieve their dreams no matter what their life conditions.
Expanded Biography:
Dr. Palmeri is currently working on school reform initiatives supported by President Obama's education agenda. She is working with urban schools located in Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, DC and Ohio. She is also focusing her time on starting new charter schools across the country..
Spouse's Name:
Life partner John R. Rayburn
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
One highlight that stands out was seeing my teachers and students receive the NYS and the National Title I Distinguished School of Mastery Award, the highest award given for being a high poverty/high achieving school.
Charity:
National Cancer Research Institute
National Memorial to Fallen Law Officers
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Sponsor and donor for various urban charter schools
Number Of Years In Profession:
42
Number Of Years In Current Position:
13
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
I attribute my success to the support I receives from my mother and father, Joe and Eleanor Palmeri; sisters Diane and Carol; my life partner John Rayburn; niece and nephew Caitlin and Jon Paul Durso; dearest friends Dr. W. Bruce Gorman and Joseph Nardone, as well as Dr. Charlene Conners & Tom and Ryan Woodhams, Rick and Lori Spatarico and Bill and Lynn Walker. I have also been inspired by pionerring school leaders such as Sam Montello, Chris Whittle, Mike Finnerty, Chris Cerf, Tonya Hinch, Joe Keeney and Lee Nunery, as well as my outstanding colleagues at Edison Schools. I also have had the great fortune of working for Dr. Manny Rivera in three different organizations. I am inpsired on a daily basis by my extraordinary colleagues at GEMS Education Americas.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
I wanted to become a teacher ever since I was a little girl when my grandfather built me a small classroom in our basement playroom. I also had extraordinary teachers in West Irondequoit and professors at SUNY Plattsburgh and the University of Rochester who believed in my ability to become an exemplary teacher and school leader.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. Marlaina Palmeri is the Senior Vice President of Charter School & Leadership Development at GEMS Americas, a subsidiary of GEMS Education, the largest operator of high quality private and public schools in the world. As one of the senior leaders in the company, Dr. Palmeri utilizes an array of talents that enable her team to create and manage high performing schools, particularly for our nation’s most underserved students. This notable educator prides herself on fostering collaborative professional communities in schools that make student and school success their ultimate priority. Since joining GEMS Americas, Dr. Palmeri has focused on the transformation and turnaround of failing schools under the educational reform agenda of the Obama administration. She was responsible for the leadership development for GEMS Americas schools in Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut and Georgia. Dr. Palmeri’s most recent responsiblity is to lead the GEMS initiative for the development of high performing charter schools. Her goal is to expand the network of charters schools across the country, establishing distinguished schools of mastery through a framework of internationally proven Standards of School Excellence. Dr. Palmeri works with her schools to create systems and processes that inspire and motivate administrators, teachers, parents and students through innovative teaching & learning approaches. It is Dr. Palmeri’s mission is to give students access to the knowledge and skills they need not only for college & career success, but also for the future as socially-conscious and globally competent citizens.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Senior Vice President responsible for Leadership Development (Principals and Leadership Teams)
Charter School Development, Startup and Oversight
Education Certifications:
School District Administration (SDA)
School Administration and Supervision (SAS)
Teacher (Nursery through Grade 9)
Certificate of Advanced Study - Educational Theory, Policy and Change
Awards/Honors:
Title I Distinguished Educator of the Year Award, New York State
Title I Distinguished School of Mastery - New York State
National Title I Distinguished School of Mastery as Principal of Charles Carroll School #46, Rochester NY
Blue Ribbon Award as Regional Education Officer of Montebello Elementary/Junior Academy, Baltimore MD
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
I hope to still be developing and support high performing urban schools around the country and abroad.