New chief of schools aims to change 'landscape for education'

Iranetta Wright most recently served as principal of Andrew Jackson High School

New Duval County Chief of Schools Iranetta Wright

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board elected a new chief of schools last week.

Iranetta Wright was voted in the position, which is second in command of Duval County Public Schools, after receiving a nomination from Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti. 

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Wright who was a teacher, then principal of Andrew Jackson High School, was most recently the assistant superintendent of the district's transformation office, which oversees 49 Duval County schools.

"I was an assistant principal and a vice principal at Fletcher Middle School. I've served on the Westside of Jacksonville when I was principal at Lakeshore Middle School. I was a teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and my most recent leadership experience as a principal was at Andrew Jackson High School," Wright said.

During her new role, Wright said, she simply wants to see students grow and excel.

"Every day, I wake up wanting to make sure that we are changing the landscape for education," Wright said. 

In her new role, she will work one-on-one with principals throughout the district. She said she plans to continue to push for curriculum improvements within all 197 schools.

"We're working with schools, school-based leaders, region superintendents to further what we already started. We are in an amazing place right now for momentum," Wright said. 

Wright said her experience in leadership roles within a diverse group of schools gives her the skill set she needs to succeed, but she also draws from other inspiration.

"They are prepared for college. They are prepared for a career. They are prepared for the world of work. Whatever we can do to make that happen for them is my inspiration," she said. 

Wright said she welcomes any suggestions as she takes on the new position.