Darienne Driver

Darienne Driver (born 1978) is an American education official and nonprofit executive. Driver is the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States[1] and the largest school district in Wisconsin. Driver was appointed superintendent in October 2014.

Driver is the youngest person to serve as Superintendent of the Milwaukee school district, and the only woman to do so on a permanent basis.[2] In 2018, Driver announced that she would leave the school district on July 6 to take a new position as President and CEO of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.[3][4]

In 2017, Driver was elected to sit on the Harvard Board of Overseers.[5]

Early life and education

Driver attended Spelman College, where she received an undergraduate degree in child development. She later received master's degrees in education from Harvard University and in curriculum development from the University of Michigan. She also received a doctorate from Harvard in Urban Superintendency.

Career

Driver began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Detroit Public Schools. She later served as Coordinator of Strategic Management and Accountability and Special Assistant to the Superintendent in Clayton County Public Schools. Driver then served as Deputy Chief of Empowerment Schools for the School District of Philadelphia.

Driver became the first Chief Innovation Officer for Milwaukee Public Schools in June 2012.[6] In that role, she worked to narrow the achievement gap in the district.[7]

As superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, Driver focused on improving the academic outcomes of students. She initiated a regional development plan to expand high-performing programs and increase enrollment opportunities, expand advanced placement opportunities, expand college and career readiness programs, and the create a new department to improve the educational achievement of Black and Latino male students.

Driver serves on the boards of directors for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, where she also serves as chair of the Volunteer Engagement Committee; City Year Milwaukee; Bradley Tech Commission; The Public Policy Forum; Aspin Superintendent Network; and, Junior Achievement. Driver is a member of the Executive Council for Milwaukee Succeeds and serves as Chair for the Council of the Great City Schools.

Awards and recognition

During her tenure as superintendent, Milwaukee Public Schools earned a Silver Well Workplace award from the Wellness Council of America and a Distinguished Budget Presentation award from the Government Finance Officers Association. In January 2015, Driver was a "40 Under 40 award recipient" from Milwaukee Business Journal. In 2017, Driver was named Most Valuable Person by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.

References

  1. ↑ https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d06/tables/dt06_089.asp
  2. ↑ "'Mixed emotions:' Darienne Driver stepping down as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools". FOX6Now.com. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  3. ↑ "Darienne Driver is leaving MPS for position at United Way in Michigan". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  4. ↑ "United Way for Southeastern Michigan names new president and CEO - United Way for Southeastern Michigan". United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  5. ↑ Yared, Leah (May 20, 2017). "Five Alumni Elected to Overseers". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "MPS eliminates 5 high-level administrative positions, creates new Chief Innovations Officer". June 29, 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Biography". Milwaukee Public Schools. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
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