Priscilla Zarate

Affiliation

NYSABE / Port Washington School District

Biography

Priscilla Zárate served as Executive Director at the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), where she serviced over 150,000 English Language Learners in 1,800 schools throughout the NYC five boroughs. As the Executive Director, Ms. Zárate led citywide initiatives including the creation, development, deployment, implementation, and monitoring of supports, resources, and services for English Language Learners (ELLs) across districts, field support offices, and schools. She implemented and expanded high quality Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE), English as a New Language (ENL), and Dual Language (DL) programs. Ms. Zarate build the capacity of superintendents, principals, assistant principals, teachers, and Field Support Centers in the areas of literacy, mathematics, foundational skills, STEM, World Languages, TBE and DL programs. She worked closely with the New York City Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor to create policies that ensure equity, excellence and accessible supports and resources for the academic success of ELLs. Prior to her appointment to NYCDOE, Ms. Zárate worked for eight years as an Assistant Coordinator for the Bilingual and ENL programs at the Brentwood School District, and eight years at P.S. 149Q - Christa McAuliffe School in Jackson Heights, Queens where she served in a similar position. Ms. Zarate currently serves as a newly appointed President-Elect of the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE). She also serves as Suffolk County Community College Board of Trustee and Suffolk County Hispanic Advisory Board Chairwoman for the Suffolk County Government Office of Minority Affairs.