After 11 years playing the pivotal role of overseeing the experiences of Brookline’s METCO participants, Dr. Sujan “Suzie” Talukdar has been chosen to lead one of the town’s eight elementary schools outright.

As of July 1, Dr. Talukdar will be principal of the Driscoll School, which serves kindergarten through 8th grade. Brookline Public Schools’ superintendent Andrew Bott acknowledged that the expertise and relationships she built supporting the families from Boston as they navigated the schools has equipped her with the skills to ensure an inclusive and equitable community at Driscoll. As he put it in a letter to Brookline families:

[Dr. Talukdar] explained clearly how her experience at the district level combined with her familiarity with the Driscoll community will allow her to bring a new perspective to the leadership of the school. Throughout her years in Brookline, Dr. Talukdar has established a strong reputation for her ability to collaborate closely and effectively with central office staff, principals, curriculum and program coordinators, teachers, paraprofessionals, and families in support of student growth and development. During her more than 20 years as an educator, Dr. Talukdar has used her passion and expertise in cultural proficiency, anti-racism, and educational equity to address academic and opportunity gaps.

The entire METCO network congratulates Suzie as she takes on this new challenge. She will be a powerful role model to all of Brookline’s students!

Read the announcement in Brookline Patch here.