Get to Know Principal Ciani Espada

Born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Principal Ciani Espada has always understood the power of perseverance, purpose, and passion. Her early years were spent navigating life between New York and Puerto Rico, where she was raised by her single mother alongside her older brother and three younger siblings, with her younger sister diagnosed with a learning disability. Despite life's challenges, it was during these formative years that the seeds of her love for education and the arts were planted.

Principal Ciani Espada's passion for the arts and education was sparked in third grade at Frances E. Carter Elementary School, where Ms. Jackson’s dance program transformed school into her sanctuary.

As Ciani advanced through school, she remained committed to both her academic success and her development as a dancer. She attended local dance schools, auditioned for elite dance academies, and immersed herself in performance. It was this dual commitment to scholarship and the arts that shaped Principal Ciani Espada’s worldview and later, her approach to education.

At the age of 24, after giving birth to her first daughter Cinaya, Ciani had the unique opportunity to open a dance school of her own. Though the venture was short-lived, it confirmed her belief that education and the arts could and should exist seamlessly together. It was then that she transitioned into the classroom, becoming a literacy teacher while also designing and leading a comprehensive dance program during morning and afterschool hours.

Teaching was Principal Ciani Espada’s calling. For 12 years, she devoted herself to the craft of instruction, building strong relationships with students and families, and infusing joy into learning. She never imagined herself outside the classroom until the educational universe had other plans.

Nominated and accepted into a prestigious leadership program, Principal Ciani Espada took her next bold step. Two years later, she became part of the founding team of Brooklyn Gardens Elementary School in District 19, opening the school as an Assistant Principal. Just five years later, she assumed the role of Principal.

When she began her principalship during the 2018–2019 school year, Brooklyn Gardens faced significant academic challenges. Student proficiency stood at just 7% in English Language Arts and 14% in Math. Even through the profound disruptions of the pandemic, she remained relentless in her pursuit of equity and academic excellence. Now, in her eighth year as Principal, she proudly celebrates Brooklyn Gardens achieving above the New York City average in English Language Arts and above the District 19 average in Math, a remarkable transformation that reflects her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to children.

Today, Principal Ciani Espada steps into a new chapter as a part of the Office of New School’s Design and Development, within the New York City Department of Education. Her new role includes the exciting challenge of opening a new school in Long Island City, Queens, District 30 continuing her mission to positively impact education citywide.

A lifelong learner and passionate advocate, she remains grounded in her belief that real change happens one child, one family, one school at a time. Her journey from a dance-loving student in Bushwick to a citywide educational leader reminds us all that purpose and passion, when nurtured with love and intention, can change the world.