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School district leaders play an integral role in ensuring student success by providing strategic guidance and direction, building strong relationships, and providing quality instruction. This leadership inspires and empowers students, parents, faculty and the community to reach their highest potential. By providing a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment, school district leaders create learning opportunities to achieve educational excellence.
Rafael T. Alvarez, Superintendent
District 15 Community School District
Telephone: 718-935-4317
Email: ralvarez4@schools.nyc.gov
Superintendent Alvarez recently served as the Superintendent of Community School District 7 since July 2018. He helped lead a team in Puerto Rico to support the re-opening of schools after Hurricane Maria. In his first year of the Superintendency, he was honored by the Middle School Principal Association and has served as the Hunts Institute speaker while also receiving a Proclamation for his leadership in the South Bronx. As a leader, he believes a collaborative environment is the key to creating success. Rafael believes partnerships with all stakeholders are essential to enriching the experience in leadership. In addition, Mr. Alvarez believes it is important to be in multiple roles in the system successfully so that you have a full view and spectrum of what it takes to be transformational. Mr. Alvarez began his career in education as a 5th grade teacher and served as UFT chapter leader, literacy coach, AIS provider, Assistant Principal and Principal. Furthermore, he served as a Deputy Superintendent for District 10 where he supported 58 schools and 62 sites. Rafael T. Alvarez also turn-keyed many professional development sessions for regions 4, 5, and 8, and taught as an adjunct at a local college where he supported many young men and women of color in their pursuit for higher education through career development.
His uncompromising philosophy is that all students can learn, given a positive learning atmosphere that welcomes exploration and enhances student confidence. Rafael’s military experience have also influenced the way he leads as it relates to systems and structures of accountability and success.
As a leader he focuses on leading collaboratively with Moral Purpose as he engages, elevates and empowers those that are a part of the community. He firmly believes that failure is not an option, and he is living proof of that which is why he humbly works towards ensuring that our marginalized and often overlooked communities have the same successes and opportunities he was afforded as a child in NYC Public Schools.
Nicole Lanzillotto, Deputy Superintendent
District 15 Community School District
Telephone: 718-935-5662
Email: nlanzillotto@schools.nyc.gov
Nicole Lanzillotto is a devoted public servant, educator and leader who has worked with The New York City Department of Education for the last eighteen years. Nicole was a Special Education Teacher for nine years, an Assistant Principal for three and Principal for five at The Boreum Hill School for International Studies a 6th-12th school in District 15. Nicole became the Deputy Superintendent in 2021.
Nicole was born in the Bronx and educated in the NYC public school system. She is a proud graduate of City-As High-school, went to LaGuardia Community College before graduating from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts where she majored in Racial Politics. She joined the NYC Teaching Fellows in 2005 where she received her MA in Special Education from Pace University. She then received an EdM from Bank Street College’s Principal's Institute as a Wallace Fellow recipient. Nicole loves to travel, spend time in water and nature, loves 90s hip hop and R&B and her favorite vegetable is broccoli rabe. She lives in Brooklyn with her wife and son.
Deirdre Keyes-Caillibotte, Executive Director of Student Services & Operations
District 15 Community School District
Telephone: 718-935-4950
Email: dkeyes2@schools.nyc.gov
Deirdre Keyes-Caillibotte began her career in finance working as a foreign exchange trader. After working in Paris and solidifying her proficiency in French, she decided that being a trader was not her calling and began her studies in TESOL becoming an ESL teacher. She wanted to teach English to students arriving in the United States as she loved learning French in Paris. She started her new career as an ESL teacher at PS 94. Deirdre moved on to different roles including a Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Teaching and Learning, Director, Academic Response Team, and finally Executive Director of Student Support Services and Operations. She enjoys playing a supportive role to schools and is happy to be back in District 15
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