SPS’ Dr. Keisha Scarlett Named New Superintendent Of St. Louis Public Schools

By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

After 24 years as an educator for the Seattle Public Schools (SPS), Dr. Keisha Scarlett, Chief Academic Officer/Assistant Superintendent of Academics SPS, is taking her talents and knowledge to the Midwest.

The Board of Education of the City of St. Louis recently announced the selection of Scarlett as the district’s new superintendent of schools effective July 1, 2023. Scarlett, who began her careers as a STEM teacher with SPS, is credited with implementing a strategic plan to increase early literacy among African American boys and other students furthest from educational justice in Seattle Public Schools. She also oversaw advanced coursework initiatives to ensure SPS graduates were prepared for college, career, and community.

“I am honored that the Board of Education has chosen me to lead Saint Louis Public Schools,” Scarlett said. “The children in this great city are full of promise—and I know that with the right support, they can thrive in the classroom today and achieve their goals for the future.”

“This community is resilient and has made important progress. Together, we will continue moving forward, until all students in Saint Louis are safe, cared for, and prepared with an education to take them wherever they want to go,” she added. “A Saint Louis Public Schools education will be a ‘gateway to unlimited possibility.”

Born and raised in Seattle, Scarlett calls herself a “multi-generational resident” as her family moved to Seattle in the late 1930s. A product of the Seattle Public School system, Scarlett has served in a variety of roles for SPS including executive director of organizational development, human resources director, principal, and teacher. During her time as principal of South Shore PK-8 School, Scarlett developed an accelerated mathematics pathway for students in grades three through eight.

As Chief of Equity for SPS, Scarlett co-founded the Academy for Rising Educators (ARE), a tuition-free educator preparation program and worked in partnership with Seattle Central College and the City of Seattle in serving more than 300 aspiring educators of color. The program has a 90 percent retention rate.

“While districts around the country are talking about educator shortages, Seattle Public Schools has one of the most innovative programs in the country and my gift back to my school district is being a part of the team to really bring “ARE” into fruition and all this comes from collaboration,” says Scarlett. “None of us are as strong as all of us together and so that opportunity to give this gift back to our city in having high quality, culturally responsive educators, who look like our children is something that is so important to me.”

Scarlett was also instrumental in the establishing SPS’ Department of Liberatory Education, which includes Ethnic Studies, and Black Studies, and creates curriculum designed to eradicate the dehumanization of people of color while highlighting their steadfast resilience. It is a program that Scarlett is extremely proud of what the department can mean the future plight of all children in Seattle.

“The establishment of our new department of Liberatory Education is bit of a dream come true,” says Scarlett. “That’s where we have ethnic studies, Black studies, American Indian studies, intersectional LGBTQ studies, outdoor community learning, so a variety of area studies have all come together under that new department and so having that as an opportunity for our students is something I believe is a game changer.”

As Scarlett reflects on her past and future, she made it a point to embrace new beginnings and appreciate all that was given and afforded her in the city she grew up in, fell in love with and began her life’s work.

“The most valuable resources that we have are our people, our students, our family, and the people that work in Seattle Public schools,” says Scarlett. “The relationships that I’ve been able to have, that have spanned my career, is at the top of the list of accomplishments. And throughout my career leading with my core values of equity, urgency and collaboration is through line through all the accomplishments I have been a part of.”

“Seattle is a place that I love, and working in the Seattle public schools has been a passion for me,” she continued. “Working in my community and be able to contribute back into my community that has given so much to me. I am appreciative of all my family, friends, connections and relationships that I have built here, I am carrying everyone with me as we make our way to St. Louis in the coming months.”

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