The Nation's Voice for Urban Education

June/July 2025 • Vol. 35 No. 5

Celebrating the Class of 2025

A graduate from Denver has achieved her lifelong dream by walking across the stage to receive her diploma. A scholar from Philadelphia had many college options but chose to attend a nearby school so he could serve as a role model. A graduate from St. Paul was on the wrong path until he discovered his Native American heritage; he is now joining the Marine Corps Reserves before heading to college. These are just a few of the inspiring urban students from the Class of 2025. Read about their amazing stories.

Baltimore CEO to Lead the Council

Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, will become chair of the Council of the Great City Schools’ Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 school year, effective July 1. 


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San Diego Names Interim Superintendent as Permanent; Santa Ana Selects New Leader

Instead of launching national searches, two big-city school districts in California chose to look within their own ranks for new leadership.


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Council Fall Conference Registration Begins

The Council of the Great City Schools will hold its 69th Annual Fall Conference, Oct. 22-26, in Philadelphia. 


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Nominations Sought for the 2025 Urban Educator of the Year

The 2025 top award for urban education leadership will be given to a school board member from one of the 81 big-city school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools.


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Boston Student Awarded $10,000 Michael Casserly Scholarship

The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) recently presented Andrew Cruz Mendez Troncoso, a 2025 graduate of Boston Public Schools, with the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Scholarship for Educational Courage and Justice.



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Title I-Supported Classroom Interventionists Help Los Angeles Students Grow

Differentiating instruction to meet all students’ needs is one of the most challenging parts of teaching. The academic setbacks many of America’s students have experienced after the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed schools have made it even harder.


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Three New Districts Join the Council 

Durham Public Schools in North Carolina, Jersey City Public Schools in New Jersey, and Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin have joined the Council of the Great City Schools, increasing the urban-school coalition’s membership to 81 public school systems.


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Upcoming Events

Curriculum & Research Directors' Meeting, July 8-11, 2025



When:

July 8 - July 11


Where:

Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, Detroit, MI

Public Relations Executives Meeting, July 17-19, 2025



When:

July 17 - July 19


Where:

Washington Hilton, Washington, DC

Publishing Note



The Urban Educator will not publish in August. We will return to your inbox in September. 

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Executive Director
Ray Hart


Editor
Tonya Harris
Staff Writer
Joanne Coley
Staff Writer
Kalin Hicks

Chair

Marcia Andrews

Board Member, Palm Beach

Chair-elect

Sonja Brookins Santelises

CEO, Baltimore

Secretary-Treasurer

Valerie Davis

Board Member, Fresno

A newsletter published by the Council of the Great City Schools, representing 81 of the nation’s largest urban public school districts. Click here to learn more. All news items should be submitted to Tonya Harris (tharris@cgcs.org).