Mayor Adams Appoints Six New Members To Panel For Educational Policy

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed six new members to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) to round out his 13 mayoral appointments.

These appointees represent a broad cross-section of New York City and the Adams administration’s commitment to closely collaborating with families, community members, and the business community on the decisions that most impact New York City children and schools.

In June 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the state’s mayoral control bill into law, increasing the total number of PEP members from 15 to 23 voting members — including 13 members appointed by the mayor, five members appointed by the borough presidents, and four members elected by Community Education Council (CEC) presidents.

The four CEC president-elected members have begun their terms, serving from January 15 to June 30, 2023. The PEP replaced the former Board of Education in 2002 and is part of the governance structure responsible for the city’s public schools.

Mayor Adams today named Phoebe-Sade Arnold, Lilly Chan, Khari Edwards, Anita Garcia, Anthony Giordano, and Michelle Joseph as his new appointees to the PEP. Four members were also elected by the CEC presidents to serve as members beginning on January 15, 2023, including Naveed Hasan, Jessamyn Lee, Thomas Sheppard, and Ephraim Zakry.

These members join sitting PEP members Tazin Azad, Aaron Bogad, Geneal Chacon, Marjorie Dienstag, Gregory Faulkner, Sheree Gibson, Angela Green, Maria Kenley, Alan Ong, Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, Maisha Sapp, Gladys Ward, and Lara Lai.

The newly appointed members bring with them a diverse range of experiences spanning school administration, education policy, the private sector, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge as parents. 

“Parental and community engagement is an essential component of our shared vision for education in New York City, and that is why we’re excited to begin what we know will be an effective and fruitful partnership with the Panel for Educational Policy members announced today,” said Mayor Adams. “I’ve said it over and over again, if we do not educate, we incarcerate, and so this panel will be vital in helping to ensure our young people have every tool at their disposal to succeed in life.”

 “These appointments will bring to the panel a diverse set of experiences from parents, community advocates, and lifelong educators who will provide invaluable perspective as we continue to reimagine our schools,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I look forward to partnering with every new panel member in the work of strengthening our schools and uplifting all of our students.”

The PEP is established pursuant to State Education Law, and it is responsible for approving standards, policies, and objectives directly related to educational achievement and instruction, as well as the chancellor’s regulations, significant changes in school utilization, budgetary items, and department contracts.

The New Panel Members

Phoebe-Sade Arnold

Phoebe-Sade Arnold is currently the director of community affairs at Columbia University in Harlem. Arnold previously worked at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and as an instructor at the College of New Rochelle. Arnold received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SUNY Old Westbury and her Master of Public Administration from Baruch College.

Lilly Chan

Lilly Chan is the parent of two English Language Learner scholars in New York City public schools. Chan currently serves as a brand manager for Revlon. Previously, Chan served on her district’s Community Education Council. She is a graduate of Baruch College.

Khari Edwards

Khari Edwards is currently the head of corporate relations at Ayr Wellness. Edwards previously worked at Brookdale University Hospital and served in former Governor David Paterson’s office. Edwards attended Midwood High School in Brooklyn and Thomas Edison University. Edwards is the parent of three scholars. 

Anita Garcia

Anita Garcia is a retired Principal of PS 329 on Coney Island. Garcia started her career as an English teacher at IS 293 in 1971 and became an assistant principal in 1989. Garcia is a graduate from Long Island University and Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Anthony Giordano

Anthony Giordano currently serves as a managing partner and founder of Legacy Partners USA, a business development and marketing firm with an extensive history in the financial industry. Giordano is a graduate of Brooklyn College.

Michelle Joseph

Michelle Joseph is the parent of a New York City public school student. She previously worked as a per session assistant principal at D79 and as the former senior manager at Innovation Zone. Joseph holds a Master of Education from Touro University and a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Cortland.

Naveed Hasan

Naveed Hasan is a parent of a New York City public school students. His family immigrated to New York City in the early 1980s and he attended various public schools in District 21 in Brooklyn. Hasan earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Macroeconomics and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision from Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. He has served on his PA/PTA executive board, school leadership team, community education council, and the digital learning advisory committee.

Jessamyn Lee

Jessamyn Lee is a parent of two New York City public school students. From 2000 to 2008, she served as an English as a new language teacher in Districts 3 and 4, exclusively in Title 1 Dual Language and bilingual school communities. She has also served on her PA/PTA executive board, school leadership, and district leadership teams.

Thomas Sheppard

Thomas Sheppard is a proud father to six children, three of whom attend public schools in the Bronx. He is a product of New York City public schools himself, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a longtime parent leader, and an education advocate.

Ephraim Zakry

Ephraim Zakry is a multiethnic immigrant, son of a single mother, and learned English as a fourth language. He is also a parent of two students attending New York City public schools. He graduated from Forest Hills High School in Queens, obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Math and Computer Science from Columbia University, and holds a graduate degree in Quantitative Finance from New York University. Zakry has served as co-chair of both the Citywide Council on High Schools President’s Council and Capital Plan Committee, member of his PA/PTA executive board, school leadership, and district leadership team.