About Lindsay Malanga
Lindsay Malanga is a New York City educator with over two decades of experience in public education. Malanga is currently the Executive Director of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, an institution dedicated to providing a challenging educational experience to develop students’ abilities and address the health and economic disparities in the South Bronx community.
Malanga began her career as a HEAD START teacher at the Montclair Child Development Center in New Jersey, her birth state, and eventually grew into a school leader. In 2011, her leadership was pivotal in turning around Harlem Prep (formerly Harlem Day Charter School) to rise from an under-performing NYC school to #1 in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency growth and #4 in Math in New York State. As Principal, Malanga led a staff of 40 that served 270 scholars, advancing the school from the 3rd percentile on the Chancellor’s Report Card to the 96th percentile among New York City schools in under one year. Lindsay’s unwavering dedication and commitment to her students’ futures, evident in her fostering of a positive and inclusive learning environment, are truly inspiring.
Malanga is not just an educator but also an expert in educational and institutional change management. Her multiple roles in the public sector include overseeing areas such as operations, special populations, human resources, finance, and talent. As Executive Director of Neighborhood Charter Schools, Ms. Malanga led the school back to normalcy in the post-pandemic time. Her dedication and expertise in this area make her a trusted figure in the education sector.
Education and Early Career
Lindsay Malanga’s early education experience was marked by excellent teachers who instilled in her a passion for learning and inspired her to consider a career in education. She is proud to be the first person in her family to attend university, graduating Magna Cum Laude from New York University. She was also the recipient of the Founder’s Day Award, a recognition for graduating seniors who have met high GPA criteria, placing them among the top-ranking Baccalaureate candidates.
Following her year as a HEAD START teacher in New Jersey, she subsequently became an elementary school teacher for the NYC Department of Education in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, in 2001. She worked in a School Under Registration Review, a failing school that was in the midst of transformation. This experience is what compelled Malanga to pursue her studies further and eventually get into school leadership. Lindsay desired to expand her reach and do more to improve schools for students in underserved communities. Malanga then continued her education and went on to graduate from Harvard University with a Masters degree in School Leadership in 2004.
After Harvard, Malanga pivoted into charter schools, serving in distinct roles across New York City. She served as a writing teacher at Harlem Village Academies, as a School Director and Dean of Students at Bronx Charter School for Children, and as Superintendent for Democracy Prep Public Schools. There, she oversaw eighteen schools across four states.
She then took on the role of Head of School for the Harlem Hebrew Language Academy Charter School, followed by a stint as Managing Director for Explore Schools, a network of public charter schools located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Executive Director in Education
In 2021, Malanga continued to advance in her leadership, and she became the Executive Director of Neighborhood Charter Schools, where she was responsible for creating a vision and direction for a network of schools that served nearly 1,000 students, 15% of whom were on the Autism spectrum, with a $32 million budget. Lindsay oversaw all the aspects of the organization, including instruction, school leadership, human resources, talent management, finance, operations, and special populations.
Currently, Lindsay Malanga serves as the Executive Director of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School. In this role, she is tasked with leading the turnaround of the school’s culture, systems, and academics, in addition to supervising the Principals and directing the curriculum. She has been noted for her design and implementation of initiatives that have benefited the school’s talent recruitment, student enrollment, and teacher development. Under her leadership, the school has seen significant improvements in performance, and she’s created a more inclusive and engaging learning environment.
Personal Life
Outside of her professional life, Lindsay Malanga is a resident of East Harlem and the proud mother of two teenage boys, whom she is confident will continue to change the family narrative by pursuing success in higher education and professional careers. She enjoys writing, performing improv, and storytelling, and she is a passionate poet. These personal interests give a glimpse into the multifaceted personality of this dedicated educator.
