The richness of the heritage of The NYAPE is reflected by its prestigious leaders during these past one hundred years. The professional life and accomplishments of Stephen Rappaport are further testimony to this belief. Stephen was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn where he attended New York City public schools and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. His graduate studies were at Long Island University, Brooklyn Center where he received his Bachelor and Master Degrees.
Stephen’s teaching career also began in Ocean Hill Brownsville when New York City’s Board of Education was centralized. After teaching for six years in the then decentralized school system, he moved on to District 23’s Office where he held positions as Math and Science Coordinator, Director of Funded Programs and Acting Principal. Stephen’s leadership ability was further recognized when he was instrumental in developing two citywide initiatives at N.Y. City’s Department of Education’s Central Board’s Division of Curriculum and Instruction which were implemented as The Gates Program and The Cims Program. Stephen eventually retired from the Department of Education as the principal of Henry Hudson Intermediate School in District 8, Bronx.
During his time with the NYC Department of Education, he taught in-service courses and worked as an adjunct professor in Trinity College’s Graduate School of Education, Brooklyn Center. In addition, he presented at many National Council of Mathematics conferences around the country.
After he retired from the NYCDOE eleven years ago, he became an education consultant and worked for New York University, Steinhardt School of Education, McGraw-Hill Publishing and Pearson Publishing. In addition, he has been instrumental in advancing the efforts of professional organizations, such as The New York City Middle Schools Principals’ Association as Director of Professional Development. He has succeeded in developing the program of workshops for their Annual Leadership Conference and Annual Professional Development Retreat. Stephen’s leadership is further demonstrated as Co-Founder of The Bronx Education Consortium, Member of Phi Delta Kappa International St. John’s University Chapter, Lehman College School of Education Professional Education Advisory Committee and Director of Recruitment at Mercy College School of Education.
Although Stephen’s participation and involvement with these many educational organizations have been extensive and productive, the organization he is most proud to be part of is The New York Academy of Public Education. During his tenure he has held many positions feeling most privileged being the president for the New York Academy’s Centennial Celebration. As president, Stephen’s achievements included an increase in membership, publication and distribution of six Academy Newsletters, the printing of the first Professional Journal and Centennial Journal. The Academy’s treasury increased over 1000 percent and the website was upgraded to include the viewing of all journals, photographs and announcements.
Stephen Rappaport, President Emeritus and recipient of Honorary Lifetime Member, has provided a lifelong indelible legacy in advancing the credibility of the Academy as a professional educational organization second to none.