3 Large Districts Address Science of (Pre) Reading in Pre-K

Dr. Kara H. Ahmed leads New York City Public Schools’ (NYCPS) early childhood education system, inclusive of all financial, operational, and programmatic aspects, with a capacity to serve approximately 140,000 children birth to five years of age. Prior to becoming the Deputy Chancellor for the nation’s largest school system, Dr. Ahmed served as the Principal for NYCPS’ city-wide Living for the Young Family Through Education (LYFE) program for 14 years, which she transformed into a nationally recognized early childhood education program that now models a three-generation strategy supporting student parents, their children, and their families.

Dr. Ahmed began her career as an early childhood educator, and then shifted to Early Childhood Supervisor for New Brunswick Public Schools, managing public school and private provider preschool programs, and leading the implementation of preschool inclusion for children with identified disabilities. Dr. Ahmed went on to work with William Patterson University to support the New Jersey DOE’s implementation of preschool across the state, and has taught graduate courses at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Ahmed earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Education Leadership and a Doctor of Education in Education Policy, both from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Leslie McKiniliy has been an integral part of CPS’ Office of Early Childhood for 20 years. Most recently, she served as Deputy Chief Officer, overseeing the district’s preschool application and universal preschool expansion (UPK) strategies, resulting in the 7,000-seat expansion of universal free full-day preschool for four-year-old children.

Throughout her 20 years within CPS, Leslie has served as a preschool teacher, instructional coach, professional learning manager, and director of Head Start and Preschool Programs. In her role as deputy chief officer, she led the universal Pre-K expansion strategy and centralized preschool application process for the district. Through a cross-departmental and cross-agency approach, Leslie has launched the OECE vision and the Preschool to 2nd Grade strategy, including the creation of the P-2 Program Management Office.

Leslie earned her Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education at Delaware State University and her Master of Arts in administration and supervision at National Louis University.

Olayinka earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, Child and Family Studies from Baylor University, a Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Child/Human Development and Family Studies from University of North Texas, a Masters in Educational Leadership, Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University pf Texas, Arlington