Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small Announces Leadership Appointments
The Rochester City School District is pleased to announce the appointments of Kathleen Black, Ed.D., as the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Genelle Morris, Ed.D., as the Deputy Superintendent of Operations and System Innovation, Melody Martinez-Davis as the Principal of John James Audubon School No. 33, and Adrian Neil, Esq., as Acting General Counsel.
Kathleen Black, Ed.D., Named
Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning 
Dr. Black takes on this new role, effective November 8, 2021, after serving as the Chief Academic Officer since September 2020. She began her career as a youth counselor, helping to cultivate workforce development and recreational programming for the Buffalo Urban League in Buffalo, New York. In that work, she recognized her passion was grounded in providing quality opportunities for students. She made the transition to the education sector through her participation in Teach for America, where she served as a classroom and inclusion teacher, and she joined the New Leaders leadership development program as an administrator within the District of Columbia Public Schools. Dr. Black has dedicated more than 20 years serving in a variety of educational roles, including director, leadership coach, principal, teacher, and Chief Academic Officer. During her seven-year tenure as a principal in Washington, D.C., she led her school to gain authorization as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program School. Dr. Black founded MH Educational Solutions, working with organizations to provide leadership development, strategic planning, and instructional supports for marginalized students.
 
Dr. Black holds a Doctorate Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Teaching from American University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Trinity University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
Genelle Morris, Ed.D., Named
Deputy Superintendent of Operations and System Innovation
Dr. Morris takes on this new role, effective November 8, 2021, after serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning since August 2020. A passionate advocate for providing high-quality education for all children, Dr. Morris has spent nearly 30 years in urban education, dedicating her life to ensuring each child graduates from high school ready for college or a career. While pursuing that goal, she worked in varying roles, including science instruction, curriculum and assessment development, and leading work in assessment, accountability, research, and evaluation at the district level. Prior to joining the RCSD, Dr. Morris was the Chief Accountability Officer/Chief Information Officer for the Buffalo Public Schools, where she was responsible for accountability, assessment, research, and evaluation of system-wide goals and targets. She began her career as an AP Biology teacher with the Buffalo Public Schools and has also served as Assistant Superintendent of Shared Accountability, Director of Data Analysis, Supervisor of Data Analysis, principal, and assistant principal.
 
Dr. Morris earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University at Buffalo, receiving the prestigious “Thinking Outside the Box” award for her thesis, which studied the implementation of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) in New York State. She additionally earned a Master’s Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Policy and a Master’s Degree in Science Education from the University at Buffalo. Dr. Morris has also served on various educational committees and boards at the local, regional, state, and national level. 
Melody Martinez-Davis Named
Principal of John James Audubon School No. 33
Mrs. Martinez-Davis takes on this new role, effective November 8, 2021, after serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Support Services since July 2020. A seasoned bilingual administrator with a strong principalship pedigree and state-wide accomplishments, Mrs. Martinez-Davis has the experience and expertise to lead John James Audubon School No. 33, the District’s largest receivership school.
 
During her 27 years in education, Mrs. Martinez-Davis has served as Deputy Superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and Spanish teacher at all levels across varied demographics. Throughout her school administration career, she was recognized as the recipient of the 2016 Genesee Valley Chapter NY’S ASCD Supervision Award, led Oliver Middle School to be recognized as a National Schools-to-Watch, and co-led the Monroe Middle School Learning Walks. Mrs. Martinez-Davis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in Spanish Language and Civilization at the SUNY College at Brockport and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She is currently completing her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy, focusing on social-emotional learning at the University at Buffalo.  
Adrian Neil, Esq., Named
Acting General Counsel
Mr. Neil takes on this new role, effective November 13, 2021, after serving as the Associate Counsel since 2016. He replaces Steve Carling, who is leaving the District to pursue a career opportunity in private practice. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and migrated to Brooklyn, New York, as a teenager. After high school, he attended the University of Rochester, where he majored in Political Science and English. While in Rochester, he became interested in law and interned at the Public Defender’s Office and the New York State Division of Human Rights. After law school, he worked in private practice at the Law Offices of Brown & Hutchinson.

He currently serves on the Monroe County Bar Association Board of Trustees and is a past co-chair of their Diversity Committee. In addition, Mr. Neil led the Diversity Clerkship Program for the MCBA. He is also a member of the Rochester Black Bar Association, a past member of their Executive Committee, and an appointed member of the New York State Permanent Commission on Access to Justice.

Mr. Neil holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from Brooklyn Law School, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and English from the University of Rochester, and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and Western US District Courts.

Please join us in congratulating Kathy, Genelle, Melody, and Adrian on their new roles and wishing Steve well in his new endeavor. 
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