In January, Bank Street College announced Melanie Bryon as the new Dean of Children’s Programs and Head of the School for Children, effective February 1. Since stepping into the role as interim dean last July, Bryon has demonstrated exceptional leadership across the School for Children and the broader community.
With more than 25 years of experience in education, Bryon brings deep expertise in child development, instructional practice, and educational leadership. She joined Bank Street in 2017, first as a Learning Specialist and later as Director of Student Support and Learning. During this time, she worked closely with teachers and families to support the academic, social, and emotional growth of every child. She partnered with teaching teams
on “Teacher Work” to refine and deepen a shared understanding of how children learn, create a rich picture of who children are as learners, and identify how the school’s program needed to grow to support them. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong commitment to progressive education and inclusive, student-centered learning.
“It is with great excitement that we share Melanie Bryon will be our next Dean of Children’s Programs and Head of the School for Children. In her current interim role, she has provided thoughtful, patient, and steady leadership,” said Shael Polakow-Suransky, GSE ’00, President, Bank Street College. “Across every dimension—leadership, instructional vision, faculty development, and community trust—Melanie emerged as the clear choice.”
The appointment represents a meaningful succession: the first Head of School promoted from within the School for Children in a generation and the first woman in this leadership role in over 30 years.
Bryon was selected after a nationwide search and interview process led by the Dean of Children’s Programs Search Committee, which began its work in early August and included faculty, staff, trustees, administrators, and parents. Feedback from across the community was both decisive and consistent, with Bryon standing out across key areas, including her accessibility and openness to finding ways to support and partner with families. Her ability to provide strong instructional leadership, lead with deep integrity, prioritize fiscal sustainability, and engage in difficult conversations around race, identity, and learning differences with clarity and care emerged as a defining strength throughout the process.
“At my core, I am a learner. Curiosity, humility, and a desire to understand people and systems drive my leadership,” said Bryon.
Prior to Bank Street, Bryon spent 14 years in public school administration, serving as a principal and superintendent in Harlem and Brooklyn. Across these roles, she established a strong record as a leader of cultural transformation in progressive school settings—centering children’s needs, high expectations, and anti-bias approaches. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in Inclusive Education from Syracuse University.
The Bank Street community is delighted that Bryon will formally begin her new role, bringing decades of experience helping young people become curious, thoughtful, and caring individuals.