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Categories: Leadership · Author · Trends in Education · Improving Student Performance · Urban Education · Making the Tough Decisions · Professional Development· ARCHIVE ·
On February 16, 2008, the School Board of Plainfield, NJ concluded its national search with the support of one of the nation’s largest educational executive search firms, Hazard, Young, and Attea, and unanimously selected Dr. Steve Gallon III as its Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Gallon, whose official tenure began on July 1, 2008, is a lifelong educator who has dedicated his entire life and career to the education and uplift of students, and the cause of urban education.
In the podcast interview conducted by Carolyn Pearson on in December, 2008, Dr. Gallon discussed at length the challenges of being a new superintendent. Dr. Gallon described how he positioned himself for change in Plainfield, New Jersey with a new team, in a different region of the United States and with support of his board.
Dr. Gallon is a seasoned educator and author who offers a clear perspective to what it takes to make a huge leap into a superintendent position and land ready for success.
Enjoy this inspiring and visionary interview with one of the nation’s foremost educational leaders.
Biographical Background
Dr. Steve Gallon III was born and raised in Miami’s renowned Liberty City. After graduating from the public school system in Miami, he later attended and graduated in three years from Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, FL, earning Magna Cum Laude Honors with a degree in English Education. Though his parent’s youngest child, he became the first and only of six siblings to graduate from college. While raising his son and daughter as a single father, he worked full-time and furthered his education at Florida International University receiving a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision. He has also participated in postdoctoral leadership institutes on Large-Scale School Reform and Management at Harvard and Stanford University.
Dr. Gallon, after serving as an English teacher entered the administrative ranks as Assistant Principal and was later appointed principal of Holmes Elementary School, a Pre-K through grade 6 school with a 1,180 student population at the time. In his third year and after marked improvements in student outcomes and community involvement, he was tapped to become principal of Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where he would serve for seven years—earning the third longest tenure in the school’s 50-year history. Under his leadership, student attendance, student performance, and graduation rates increased, as well as the provision of programs in honors, advanced placement, and the arts for the over 3,200 students in the comprehensive urban high school housed in a state-of-the-art facility.
Dr. Gallon has received numerous awards for his outstanding professional and community service. He was recognized as Region III’s “Rookie Principal of the Year”, Elementary School “Principal of the Year”, District Finalist for Principal of the Year, and “Educator of the Year” by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Gallon was also the recipient of the NAACP Mary McCloud Bethune Educator’s Award. The College Board recognized Dr. Gallon as one of eight Americans featured nationally in their publication entitled “Heroes of a Different Kind” for leadership and service in education. In 2003, Dr. Gallon released his first book entitled The Principalship: Tribulations and Triumphs which was featured in the national educational publication Education Week, as one of three new titles for principals. His second book, When Morning Comes: Moments of Struggle, Strength, and Salvation provided the second installment in his urban education trilogy, which marks a work of personal and professional revelation. It was released in the fall of 2006. Having been featured in numerous media venues, and because of his spirit of enthusiasm, intellect, and dynamism, Dr. Gallon has served as an educational consultant, guest lecturer, and motivational speaker.
Growing up in one of Miami’s toughest neighborhoods, and becoming not only a survivor of those streets, Dr. Gallon learned early that only education can offer options beyond poverty and prison. His ability and dedication to galvanizing the school and community to enhance the educational opportunities of economically challenged and at-risk students has been recognized and applauded at the local, state, and national level.
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