Alumna LaShanda Gilliam Appointed Principal at Michelle Obama School in Newark, NJ

Superintendent Roger León recently named alumna LaShanda Gilliam to be principal of one of Newark’s three, new public schools, the Michelle Obama Elementary School. The school will initially enroll grades Pre-K to 2, and will add a new grade level every year until it reaches grade 8. It’s set to open its doors in September 2021.

“When students are given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, they undoubtedly thrive,” said Ms. Gilliam, who currently serves as the vice principal at Thirteenth Avenue School.

“The Michelle Obama Elementary School will be the pillar of public service, building excellence in every student as they powerfully impact the city of Newark and the world,” Ms. Gilliam said.

Raised in Newark, Ms. Gilliam attended Newark Public Schools and graduated from West Side High School. In 1995, she graduated from Montclair State University, beginning her career as a first-grade teacher at Benjamin Franklin School in Newark. Soon thereafter, Ms. Gilliam received a Master’s degree in Reading, also from Montclair State. After becoming a licensed Reading Specialist, she worked as a Resource Teacher Coordinator for the Office of Language Arts Literacy. It was during this tenure that Ms. Gilliam began to see the incredible impact she was making across the district in a variety of schools. As a result of this revelation, Ms. Gilliam decided she wanted to become a school-based instructional leader. After receiving a second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Fordham University, she became the Vice Principal of Vailsburg Middle School in 2005. Ms. Gilliam later transferred to Thirteenth Avenue School where she has flourished for the past ten years. Her tenure at Thirteenth Avenue has been marked by quality leadership and a positive climate and culture. It has also been during this time that she has been able to help lead Thirteenth Avenue School to an increase in teacher retention and student achievement.

“Ms. Gilliam has done an absolutely incredible job in our school district,” Superintendent León said. “She understands the realities of our students and will continue to be an inspiration to students and their families.”