On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee School Board appointed Brenda Cassellius as the new superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) with an 8-1 vote. Cassellius brings a wealth of educational experience, making her an exciting choice for this pivotal role.
Cassellius’s journey began in poverty in Minneapolis public housing, where she called herself a “Head Start baby.” She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas, and a doctorate from the University of Memphis. Cassellius started her career in 1990 as a special education paraprofessional and has worked as a teacher and administrator in both Minnesota and Memphis.
From 2011 to 2019, she served as Minnesota’s Commissioner of Education. During her time in Minnesota, she focused on crucial issues like early childhood education, emphasizing that investing in this area yields a significant return. She is likely to prioritize early education in Milwaukee, just as she did in her previous roles.
While in Minnesota, Cassellius advocated for collaboration with community colleges to improve career pathways for students. She believed that schools should support students up to age 21, ensuring comprehensive services and opportunities. Under her leadership, Minnesota raised educational standards, leading to significant improvements in achievement gaps and graduation rates, particularly for minority students.
However, her tenure was not without challenges. Although she worked to increase expectations for schools, the system faced criticism for being cumbersome and sometimes unfair to students in poverty. Cassellius has also expressed her commitment to working collaboratively with other districts, which is essential for addressing systemic issues in education.
After her time in Minnesota, Cassellius was appointed as the superintendent of Boston Public Schools in 2019. Her leadership there was marked by both progress and controversy. Massachusetts state reports recognized her efforts to implement new initiatives, noting that while there was real progress under her leadership, there were also setbacks in serving the most vulnerable students. Responses to her handling of COVID-19 and proposed changes to school admissions revealed divisions within the community, leading to a challenging environment for her leadership.
Despite the difficulties, Cassellius received praise from former Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who acknowledged the positive impact of her leadership on the district. In 2022, Cassellius transitioned to become the executive director of **Fresh Energy**, a renewable energy organization. But her passion for education remained, which led her to apply for the superintendent position in Milwaukee.
With her background and dedication to improving educational outcomes, Cassellius faces the challenge of transforming MPS. Her experience could be a significant asset for the district as it navigates its own challenges. Ms. Cassellius, welcome to Milwaukee! We look forward to seeing the changes you will bring.
