Richard Green (chancellor) facts for kids
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Dr. Richard R. Green was a very important leader in education. He was born on May 27, 1936, and passed away on May 10, 1989. Dr. Green made history as the first African American to become the New York City Schools Chancellor. He held this big job from March 1988 to May 1989.
Early Life
Richard Green was born in Menifee, Arkansas, in 1936. When he was just two years old, his mother moved with him and his three siblings to Minneapolis, Minnesota. They traveled by train to their new home.
He grew up in a housing project in Minneapolis. Even though he faced challenges, he worked hard. He became a teacher, then a principal, and later the first African American Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools. This was a huge achievement!
Becoming Chancellor
Dr. Green was chosen to be the first African American Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools. This was a very important position. He had the support of Robert F. Wagner, Jr., who was the President of the New York City Board of Education.
On March 3, 1988, Dr. Green officially became Chancellor at a ceremony. It was held at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. He took on a school system that had many problems. These included low graduation rates, many students dropping out, and safety concerns.
Dr. Green put together a team of educators to help him. They worked to improve academics and make schools safer for all children in New York City. In the fall of 1988, Dr. Green and Sandra Feldman, the head of the teachers' union, showed they were working together. They held a giant yellow pencil on stage, welcoming new teachers to the system.
His Passing
Dr. Green had asthma his whole life. When he moved to New York City, the air pollution made his asthma worse. He had been to the hospital for breathing trouble after becoming Chancellor.
On May 10, 1989, Dr. Green, who was 52, had a severe asthma attack at his apartment in Manhattan. He told his wife, "Gwen, I'm not going to make it this time." He passed away before help could arrive. Doctors said the cause of death was his heart stopping because he couldn't breathe. He was buried in Minnesota. A memorial service was held in New York City, and Mayor Edward Koch gave a speech honoring him.
Remembering Dr. Green
Dr. Green's legacy lives on. The Council of the Great City Schools gives out a special award each year. It's called the Richard Green and Edward Garner Award. This award honors top leaders in urban education. The winner receives money to give as a college scholarship to a student.
New York City also honored him in other ways. The City Parks Department opened the Dr. Richard Green Playground in Brooklyn.
Two schools in New York City are named after him:
- The Richard R. Green High School of Teaching in Manhattan.
- The Richard R. Green Middle School #113 in the Bronx.
Also, the Richard Green Central Park School in Minneapolis is named in his memory.
