*Superintendent*
By: BHS Staff Profiles
September 16, 2022
The Staff Spotlight for this week belongs to the Superintendent of the Brooklyn City School District, Dr. Ted Caleris. Dr. Caleris started his career in this district in 2001 and continued it through 2013. After working in a couple of other districts and a short time away from Brooklyn, he returned in 2020 as our superintendent, making this year 25 in his educational career.
Q: What made you want to become a superintendent?
A: “I was a building principal for 12 years, and then, I went on to be an assistant superintendent for five years. Being a superintendent was just the next step for me. I used to be the middle school principal for seven years, and then, I was the athletic director. I was a teacher from 2001 to 2003.”
Q: If you could have a different occupation, what would it be and why?
A: “I would say a medical doctor because I like helping people; that’s what I originally went to school for.”
Q: What do you like most about working in the Brooklyn City School District?
A: “The students, the parents, the families, and the staff. It’s just an all-around great community.”
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to all Brooklyn students, what would it be?
A: “Take one day at a time and try to get better each day.”
Q: Do you feel like there are areas in the Brooklyn City School District that need improvement?
A: “A couple of things, I would like more students to participate in activities. I feel like the more active you are as a student, the more well-rounded you are as a person. I would also love to work on a facility improvement and do some big renovations to the high school. I believe that Brooklyn students deserve the best, including facilities. We can always improve on academics. All academics look different for different kids. I think it’s important for us as a district to make sure all of the kids have options for what they want to do after high school. Our job as administrators is to make sure everyone has the ability to do what they want to do.”
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: “I think the details matter. When I see people not looking at details on how they do things or if they’re just rushing through things, I think that makes a huge difference. So when I see somebody doing something, I think that they should do it the right way.”
Q: What was your very first job?
A: “I worked at a grocery store called Pick N Pay and that was the only job I had throughout high school and college.”
Q: What was your biggest setback in life, and how did you deal with it?
A: “I think when you’re getting older and you’re going through life that personal things can sometimes set you back. When I was in my early twenties, my father passed away at a young age. That was definitely my biggest setback.”
Q: If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, where would it be?
A: “It would have to be San Diego, California, because they don’t have snow.”
Q: What is your favorite genre of music to listen to?
A: “Movie scores! Movie scores are just the theme music for movies like in Jurassic Park or Star Wars.”
Thank you for allowing us to interview you, Dr. Caleris. It was a pleasure to meet with you, and we are honored to have you back in this district as our leader.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 