Superintendent of the Hartford Public Schools has always been a challenging job. So challenging, in fact, that few in recent years held it for very long.
In the last two decades, the district went through various restructurings, flirtations with private education companies and state interventions, and was the subject of a landmark anti-discrimination lawsuit. The last two Superintendents - Stephen Adamowski and Kristina Kishimoto worked together to transform district schools - opening up a “choice” program and reorganizing around themed academies and magnet schools.
One such school is right here in our building on Asylum Hill - the Journalism and Media Academy works with High School seniors who have an interest in media production, performance and writing.
Despite her successes, Kishimoto’s contract was not renewed by the school board, and since July, there’s been a new head educator in the city: Beth Schiavino-Narvaez.
This hour, we’ll sit down for the first time to talk with the new superintendent about school reform, urban education and the future of public schools in Hartford and the rest of Connecticut.
GUEST:
- Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez - Superintendent of Schools, Hartford
GUEST HOSTS:
- Bishnu Khatiwada - Senior at Hartford's Journalism and Media Academy Magnet School
- Nick Newsome - Senior at Hartford's Journalism and Media Academy Magnet School
- Odane Campbell - Senior at Hartford's Journalism and Media Academy Magnet School
This show was made possible in part by support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Graduate: Let's Make it Happen initiative.
