Turning Schools Around: The Chancellor NYC Needs
THE ISSUE: Mayor-elect Eric Adams’ choice of David Banks to be Gotham’s next schools chancellor.
Mayor-elect Eric Adams is to be complimented on his choice of David Banks to be the next city schools chancellor, and Banks should be commended for remembering and honoring his 4th-grade teacher (“NYC Schools’ Great Next Leader,” Editorial, Dec. 10).
As an alumna of PS 161 in Crown Heights, I clearly remember the strict academic program that the school offered as well as the dedication of its teachers. The school’s faculty had one goal in mind — to educate children.
Good luck to Banks. We are all rooting for you.
Marcia Yawitz
Manhattan
Praise the Lord: Black and brown kids are going to get the educational opportunity they have deserved for many decades.
Pathetic performance by union incompetents has prevailed until now. I’m happy for New Yorkers and their kids.
Jim Fitzgerald
Long Island
Adams and Banks — what great gifts for a near down-and-out city.
As a New York City public-school “lifer,” I have waited for this day of enlightenment, seemingly forever.
While I believe action speaks louder than words, I have no doubt but that action is coming sooner rather than later.
I know this to be so because these two men are men of truth, conviction and a belief in what is right for New York City.
In the case of Banks, I have seen first-hand his Eagle Academy schools. As a college supervising field professor for teaching fellows, I made numerous visits.
Thus, I can say without reservation or hesitation that they are places where student learning is prioritized, and teacher growth and professionalism is expected and facilitated.
Kenneth Karcinell
Hewlett
Banks is greatly admired. I see some red flags, though.
Supporting “cultural breadth of curriculum” is a euphemism for pushing trendy and damaging subject matter, such as critical race theory, and a general emphasis on students reading literature that matches their race and ethnic background.
I consider pushing social justice and activism for minors woeful overreaching.
Dianne Stillman
Brooklyn