Congratulations to Denise Schira, new Master Trainer

Please join me in congratulating Denise Schira, Director of School Culture and Climate for the New York City Department of Education Manhattan Borough Office, who has earned the credential of Master Trainer for the LSCI Institute.

Denise Schira has been closely involved with LSCI since she first participated in the training and was certified in 2010, an experience she credits with changing her career path and focus. After participating in LSCI multiple times and supporting many of her schools with the training and intervention, Denise became an LSCI Senior Trainer in NYC. She has mentored several colleagues, trained hundreds of educators, and presented at several conferences; and she was an instrumental contributor to the NYC LSCI curriculum. Denise is honored to be an LSCI Master Trainer, joining her esteemed colleagues in this critical work. She is especially grateful to her mentor, Dr. Carol Dawson, for her leadership and expertise sharing.

Denise studied cognitive development at Cornell University where she earned a BS, and she completed clinical supervision in administration with a focus on early childhood leadership at Bank Street College of Education, where she attained her MS Ed. Denise currently serves as Director of School Culture and Climate supporting over 250 PK-12 schools in the New York City Department of Education.

She has been a NYC educator for over 25 years, having served in prior roles as Assistant Superintendent: Deputy Executive Director of Student Services, Deputy Network Leader: Director of Student Services, and Lead Manager of Student Services, supporting up to 350 schools and 12 districts across all boroughs of NYC. Additionally, Denise has served as Special Assistant of Operations; Regional Coordinator of Reading and Assessment; Literacy, Math, Science, and Arts Staff Developer; Assistant Principal; and Bilingual/Monolingual Teacher.

Denise has been recognized and honored by various organizations for her excellence in educational leadership and support, and she currently serves on several executive boards of both city and state councils and associations of administrators and superintendents which focus on student support.

We are so proud to have Denise providing leadership for LSCI training!