About Me

Joseph Zaza is an educational leader whose work focuses on instructional leadership, school transformation, equity, and the practical, responsible use of artificial intelligence in education. He mentors new school leaders as a consultant with the Executive Leadership Institute.

Mr. Zaza served as Assistant Superintendent for New York City’s District 31 in Staten Island, supporting Pre-K–12 schools. Before that, he served for five years as a School District Leader supervising New York City’s specialized high schools. In these roles, he supervised and mentored principals, facilitated workshops for aspiring and new school leaders, and led professional development for teachers and administrators in leadership, instructional practice, technology, and the use of artificial intelligence.

Previously, Mr. Zaza served for 12 years as principal of Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, a CUNY-affiliated high school located on the campus of Kingsborough Community College. He later served as the founding principal of Early College High School, a fully inclusive school designed to serve students historically underrepresented in higher education. Through this model, students earned college credits at St. John’s University while working toward a high school diploma.

Mr. Zaza began preparing for school leadership at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, where he served for ten years as a social studies teacher, Coordinator of Student Activities, Senior Advisor, and founder of the school’s Council for Unity chapter, which was created to bring students together in support of racial harmony and civil rights.

Mr. Zaza has conducted workshops for teachers and school leaders on topics including current German history, international perspectives on Abraham Lincoln, technology integration, and the use of AI to improve leadership efficiency and instructional practice.

He holds a master’s degree in history and a postgraduate degree in educational administration and supervision from Brooklyn College. He currently teaches in the Graduate School District Leader Program at Hunter College.

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