Dr. Lena Richardson has an extensive background in education, which includes serving as a classroom teacher, a district administrator, and in the capacity of Director of Funded Programs, where she facilitated federal audits and supported elementary and middle school building leaders through direct training and mentoring, as well as served as an elementary school principal for an extensive period. During this period, she was inspired to join the Department of Education’s Empowerment Initiative, where she served as Special Assistant for New Schools within the chancellor’s district. In that role, she provided support to incoming school leaders and acted as a facilitator, worked with new principals, and oversaw at-risk middle schools throughout New York City. Dr. Richardson then served as Senior Achievement Facilitator for the Office of Accountability at the Department of Education, where she was responsible for providing support services for elementary and middle schools. She then launched The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School, where she served as the founding principal. 

Dr. Richardson has taught education courses, as well as led supervision and administration courses in higher education for over 25 years. Previously, she taught at Medgar Evers College, City University, New York University, and St. Johns University. She has served as an adjunct assistant professor at Touro College overseeing student fieldwork and practicum studies from birth to elementary school, Deputy Chairperson of Undergraduate Education, as well as Interim Acting Associate Dean of Academics Affairs and as an assistant professor. In addition, she attended the Harvard University Principal’s Center and served as a member of the advisory board supporting leadership initiatives.    

She received her B.S. degree in Public Administration from Medgar Evers College, her M.S. degree in Developmental and Remedial Reading from City University, her M.S. Degree in Administration and Leadership from Brooklyn College, and her Ed.D., Doctoral degree from St. John’s University.

Areas of Expertise

Public speaking; early childhood and elementary level teaching; educational program designing, planning, advising, coordination, implementation, and monitoring; and school quality reviews

Education

• B.S. degree in Public Administration from Medgar Evers College
• M.S. degree in Developmental and Remedial Reading from City University
• M.S. degree in Administration and Leadership from Brooklyn College
• Ed.D. Doctoral degree from St. John’s University