Bernard Gassaway Cares About Helping Today's Youth
Bernard Gassaway is the son of Annie Gassaway. He was born in Macon, Georgia in 1960.
Bernard attended New York City public schools. From high school, he attended LeMoyne College, a
catholic school in Syracuse, New York. He was elected President of the Minority Cultural Society in
his junior year. He went on to graduate from LeMoyne with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, in
1982. Two years later, he earned his first Master’s degree from the State University of New York at
Albany, in public administration.
Bernard worked for two years at the New York City Department of Transportation. In 1986, shortly
after his mother passed away, he resigned from the department of transportation to pursue what he
called, “meaningful work,” and began his teaching career at Public School 40Q, in Jamaica, New
York. Two years later, he transferred to Boys and Girls High School where he taught English and
computer literacy. After several years as a high school teacher, and a brief attempt to start a small
computer consulting business, he returned to teach at Intermediate School 59Q, in Springfield
Gardens, New York. While teaching at 59Q, he completed his second Master’s degree in Education
Administration and Supervision at Baruch College. Shortly after, he became an assistant principal at
Junior High School 192Q, in St. Albans, New York. Six months later, he transferred to become the
assistant principal of pupil personnel services at Far Rockaway High School, in 1994.
In April 1997, Bernard was assigned and later appointed the first African-American principal at
Beach Channel High School. After his first year at Beach Channel, he was the recipient of the New
York State Title I Distinguished Educator Award. In 2001, the Queens Borough President’s African-
American Advisory Council selected him as Queens Educator of the Year. He also received an
award for Educator of the Year from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in that same year.
After five years as principal, Bernard resigned to become the Director of New School Initiative for the
New York City Board of Education Alternative Schools Superintendency. In July, 2003, he became
Senior Superintendent for Alternative Schools and Programs. He was also selected as a Revson
Fellow at Columbia University.
In June 2005, after 18 years with the New City school system, Bernard resigned to “continue to fight
the good fight for children.” He is currently an author, child advocate, doctoral student and educator.
Bernard’s most important roles are father and husband.
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