E4E-NY Women of Color in Education Committee

Dr. Danielle Point Du Jour is currently an Assistant Principal at Academy for Scholarship and Entrepreneurship: A College Board School, in Bronx, NY. She is a trailblazer in the educational system and is currently working on publishing a guide to support teachers in their first year of teaching. Her research is in teacher preparation improvement and the critical role that school leaders play in building and sustaining an effective PLC (Professional Learning Community).

Dr. Point Du Jour has been spotlighted for her leadership in the NYCPS’s “New Leadership Spotlight” as well as Educator for Excellence’s “Green Apple Excellence” award as a teacher. She has taken the role of Co-Chair for E4E-New York’s Women of Color in Education Committee and will now lead a space to champion pathways for leadership and mentorship for BIPOC educators. Dr. Point Du Jour’s passion and mission is to provide multiple pathways to student success through teacher improvement and mentorship.

“The goal is to create and foster spaces where teachers of color can thrive and become leaders in this important work” – Dr. Point Du Jour

Janelle Jemmott is a seventh year Special Education teacher at Urban Assembly School in Music and Art in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently in the last stages of securing her certifications for School and District Administration. As an educator, she is dedicated to advocating for students to have a school experience that is rooted in true equity, celebration of their diverse identities, and quality education. This is reinforced by her work as the co-chair of Educator for Excellence’s Women of Color in Education Committee. In addition, she was recognized by E4E for her exceptional advocacy work with the Green Apple Excellence Award in 2023.

Her continued involvement with E4E has also included petitioning Councilwoman Rita Joseph to discuss the importance of culturally diverse curriculums and diversity in the workforce and networking with other educational professionals to explore ideas of improving the educational experience for both students and teachers.

Rita S. Pettaway is a proud Puerto Rican product of the NYC public school system who serves as a District Administrator for special education. With her multi-cultural background, she has dedicated almost 25 years to learning and instilling her knowledge of early childhood and special education. During each step of her journey, from a clerical to now as a leader in education, she has increased student and teacher achievement in mostly Bronx and Queens. Along the way she has earned Best Region Teacher of the Year Award, an E4E Queens Liaison award, become a member of the Latino Caucus, and a founding member/co-chair of the Women of Color in Education. As a continued member, Rita is eager to continue her efforts, along with her colleagues, to maintain a safe, culturally, racially gender inclusive, elevated professional environment, in order to retain women of color in the NYC school system.

“As a mother and educational administrator, I want to continue to inspire and collaborate with others to create a space of inspiration and motivation for our women of color”