Type Of Business:
Education management organization
Marketing Area:
National; International
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 tunaround 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; Charter school management; Pathways to college, careers and private schools
Favorite Business Publication:
Education Leadership; The Kappan; Edutopia; Ed Week
Hobbies/Sports:
Golf; Tennis; Football; Travel; Cooking; Wine
Education Degrees:
Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Theory, Policy and Change
Dissertation: The Impact of Professional Community on Poverty and School Achievement, University of Rochester; Master's Degree in Educational Administration; Bachelor's Degree in Education
Affiliations Awards:
ASCD; 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
State/Country of Origin:
NY/USA
Date of Distinction:
10/18/2007
Work History:
Global Partnership Schools/GEMS Education Americas (2009 to Present); Edison Schools/Edison Learning (1999-2009); Rochester City School District (1971-1999)
Career Achievements:
Teacher of the Year, Rochester, NY; Distinguished Educator of the Year, New York State; Principal of School #46, Rochester NY; Director of Magnet Schools, Rochester City Schools;
Vice President, Startup for 32 Charter Schools, Many of Which are Still Thriving (10 Years); Senior Vice President, Eastern U.S. 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?:
She stands out because of the ability to develop schools that deliver academic, operational and cultural excellence, despite high poverty. Also, providing access to a quality education to underserved urban students in the U.S., 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?:
Her greatest career achievements are the recognition that her students and teachers received for being one of the nation's highest performing Title I high poverty schools; receiving a doctorate from the University of Rochester; having eight of her teachers go on to become administrators and school leaders.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
She would like to be remembered as someone who is supportive, resourceful and caring; as a person who has the ability to bring out the best in others; as a leader who nurtures and develops quality teaching and leadership skills in those around her.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
She would like to solve 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?:
She would have lunch with 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, D.C., and Ohio. She is also focusing her time on starting new charter schools across the country.
Dr. Palmeri is now opening up two schools in Canton and Cleveland, Ohio called, Believe to Achieve Academy to open in Sept of 2012.
Spouse's Name:
Life partner John R. Rayburn
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlight of her career was seeing her teachers and students receive the New York State 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, Various Urban Charter Schools
Number Of Years In Profession:
43
Number Of Years In Current Position:
14
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to the support received from her mother and father, Eleanor and Joe Palmeri; sisters Diane and Carol; 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 and Tom and Ryan Woodhams, Rick and Lori Spatarico, and Bill and Lynn Walker. She has also been inspired by pioneering school leaders such as Sam Montello, Chris Whittle, Mike Finnerty, Chris Cerf, Tonya Hinch, Joe Keeney and Lee Nunery, as well as her outstanding colleagues at Edison Schools. She also has had the great fortune of working for Dr. Manny Rivera in three different organizations. She is inspired on a daily basis by her extraordinary colleagues at GEMS Education Americas.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because he wanted to become a teacher ever since she was a little girl, when her grandfather built her a small classroom in the basement playroom. She also had extraordinary teachers in West Irondequoit and professors at SUNY Plattsburgh and the University of Rochester who believed in her ability to become an exemplary teacher and school leader.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. 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 the 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 responsibility 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 and career success, but also for the future as socially conscious and globally competent citizens.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Serving as the senior vice president; Being responsible for leadership development (principals and leadership teams), charter school development, startup and oversight
Education Certifications:
Certificate of Advanced Study in Leadership; Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Theory, Policy and Change; School District Administration; School Administration and Supervision; Teaching, Nursery through Grade 9
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, Regional Education Officer of Montebello Elementary/Junior Academy, Baltimore MD
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Dr. Palmeri hopes to still be developing and supporting high performing urban schools around the country and abroad.