Dayton good fit for Midwest urban educator

Rhonda Corr, an educator who has devoted her career to students in several Midwest urban centers, will be the next superintendent of Dayton Public Schools. The Dayton Board of Education made the announcement at their June 16 special meeting.  

“The Dayton Board of Education is extremely pleased that the big shoes of DPS Superintendent will be filled by a very experienced urban educator who has led improvement in three larger urban school districts, a true turn-around expert who was a deputy superintendent, a principal, and a teacher, who knows our immense challenges and enormous opportunities for rapid growth.”

Corr, who has served as area superintendent in Indianapolis and Chicago, led students in diverse areas, similar in size and demographics to Dayton. She will take the helm of Dayton Public Schools, effective July 1, 2016.

As Chicago Public Schools Chief of Schools (Area Superintendent) she oversaw nearly 30,000 students in 36 schools and led them to the highest level of academic growth, as well as substantial gains in academic attainment. She also reduced achievement gaps, increased attendance, and significantly reduced suspensions. 

Prior to that, she was founding principal of the International Newcomers Academy with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, providing support for immigrant and refugee children and families. She was part of the Closing the Achievement Gap initiative in Cleveland in collaboration with the state for African American and Hispanic males and was a founding team member for social-emotional learning initiatives. She also was selected to present at national conferences for the Council of the Great City Schools and the National Association of Bilingual Education. 

Throughout her career, her bilingual skills (Spanish) have enhanced her ability to work with area school communities.

She is completing her dissertation on racial equity for her doctorate at the University of Akron. She holds an Educational Specialist Degree in educational leadership, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and special education, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Cleveland State University.

Corr, a Cleveland, native is the proud mother of two and grandmother of one. She succeeds Superintendent Lori L. Ward, who rose from classroom teacher to superintendent over her 21-year career with the district, serving her last six year as superintendent.