The NYC Teacher of the Year Leading PLACE

Lisa Marks is a mother of 3 NYC public school children and the Co-President of PLACE. I asked her a few questions about what is next.

Lisa Marks is a mother of 3 NYC public school children and the Co-President of PLACE. She was also a High School teacher in the South Bronx and Lisa has been outspoken on the need for more rigorous curriculum in elementary schools and zoned high schools in all districts. We talked about her teaching career and how she is helping improve our public schools.

FFNY: You were elected Co-President of PLACE, how and why did you get involved with education policy and advocacy?

LISA: While I’ve always been involved in the field of education, first as a NYC high school teacher of History in Title 1 schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx, then as a mom to three public school students, I became involved in education advocacy during the pandemic when policy decisions were being made that negatively impacted students.

Our family experienced the devastating effects of school closures and I saw first hand the gaps in the curriculum students were given for literacy, math and science. I wanted to help kids get back on track with strong foundational skills in reading, logical reasoning and critical thinking that would set them up for successful future careers.

I also want to help parents navigate the complex DOE system so they can best advocate for the needs of their children.

FFNY: You used to be a teacher in NYC, what did you teach and how did this experience influence your work at PLACE?

LISA: Growing up I was always interested in history and world civilizations. After getting a Masters in Classical Archaeology I knew I wanted to bring history to life for students. Thru Teach for America I got a Masters in Secondary Education and taught Global History at schools in Crown Heights and the South Bronx. I enjoy working with young people because they have a spark of curiosity, even if they sometimes also have difficult backgrounds. My unwavering belief is that all kids can master rigorous material, if they are challenged and supported to do so. In my classroom students put in the work and rose to the occasion, making incredible educational gains on state tests and surpassing personal benchmarks. In 2012, I was named Teacher of the Year at my school.

My time as a DOE teacher gives me insight into how NYCPS is structured and run.  I have experience productively collaborating with administrators and fellow teachers to improve student outcomes. My background influences my advocacy with PLACE because I understand the challenge of balancing a wide variety of student learning needs with appropriate curriculum and policy decisions. To ensure students excel, the largest public school system in the nation needs to simultaneously hold standards high while also being adaptive to parent voices and student needs at the school level. 

FFNY: You are a born and raised New Yorker. What do you love most about the city and what do you want to see changing?

LISA: What I love about NYC is the vibrant diversity of cultures! I love learning and collaborating with people from all over the world, as each pursues their area of expertise. Every New Yorker has a hidden talent and a passion to share with others!

What I would like to see change, and what I hope to support in my work with PLACE, is for more parents in all neighborhoods to engage with policymakers and make their voices heard. Right now, I think there is a big disconnect between what the average New Yorker wants and what elected representatives are proposing. That needs to change. 

We are a city of innovators, who’ve chosen NYC as our home with the common goal of creating a better life for our communities and for the next generation. What brings us all together as New Yorkers is our pursuit of the American dream. A strong and robust education is a critical part of turning that dream into a reality.