By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Michelle Rhee, a 38 year-old second generation Korean-American, has been nominated for post of chancellor of education of Washington D.C. city, Tuesday, a post which overseas the control of 146 public schools.
This is the first time for a Korean-American to take the position and also the first time for the city to pick a woman in her 30s with no school management experience.
Even Rhee, with her Korean name of Rhee Yang-hee, told Yonhap News Agency that the city's educational circle were ``take by surprise'' at her nomination.
Having graduated from Cornel University, majoring in public administration and gaining a master's degree at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Rhee has dedicated herself to changing the quality of education in relatively low-income areas. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore for three years, where she helped students make dramatic progress in reading. Nationwide broadcaster ABC's morning show ``Good Morning America'' covered her story.
In 1997, she formed ``The New Teacher Project,'' which is to send high quality teachers to ghettos or low-income areas in the cities. Through the group, more than 23,000 staff were sent to areas in need of a good education.
Adrian Fenty, Washington D.C. Mayor, said that Rhee was the perfect person to bring innovation to the region's system. Previously, the city was graded ``poor'' by the Washington Post, and Fenty has announced that he will make major ``changes''.
Rhee stressed that her experience as an elementary school teacher gave her the idea that good teachers are the key to innovating school education. She said that she has seen the potential in improving the school management system and that she will do her best to make progress for everyone in the educational circle.
Rhee's contract is said to be a five-year one with $250,000 in annual salary and an additional bonus.