Eleanor Evans-Chiarenza brings more than 25 years of experience in human services, a lifelong commitment to community empowerment, and a deep passion for educational equity. A proud resident of the City of Poughkeepsie for over five years, Eleanor quickly immersed herself in the life of the school district, advocating for students and families with unwavering dedication.

She has served on the Warring Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for more than three years, working closely with school leadership to foster culturally enriching programs that promote diversity, family engagement, and academic excellence. Currently, Eleanor serves as President of the Poughkeepsie Middle School PTA, where she leads with a focus on transparency, inclusivity, and student-centered advocacy. As the parent of a middle school student, Eleanor brings both personal perspective and professional insight to her community leadership.

Eleanor is also an active member of the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee and the Parent Engagement Committee—a key element of the district’s Community Schools initiative. Through these roles, she contributes meaningful feedback on districtwide policies, student programs, and school climate improvement strategies, representing the voices of families across Poughkeepsie.

Outside of the school setting, Eleanor serves as a committed volunteer with All for One Community Outreach, a local nonprofit providing food, clothing, and essential services to families in need. She believes in leading by example and consistently shows up where support is needed most—directly in the community.

Professionally, Eleanor has built a respected and impactful career in public service. Her background includes work as an HIV case manager, foster care and juvenile justice caseworker, and New York City Probation Officer. She currently serves as a Parole Officer with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, where she supports returning citizens through successful reintegration, providing supervision, accountability, and pathways to personal growth.

Eleanor earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science and Psychology from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Her expertise in behavioral health, restorative justice, and systems reform uniquely positions her to understand the intersection of education and community wellbeing.

A lifelong learner and global traveler, Eleanor enjoys discovering new cultures with her husband, John. She is also an avid lover of the arts—playing piano, painting, attending live performances—and enjoys rock climbing and outdoor exploration. She and her family are proud members of Beulah Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Jesse V. Bottoms.

Why Eleanor Says She Is The Right Choice for Poughkeepsie’s Board of Education:

• Trusted Advocate with Proven Commitment
  Eleanor is a hands-on leader who shows up consistently and serves with heart. Her years of advocacy in school buildings and community spaces demonstrate her enduring commitment to Poughkeepsie's youth.
• Bridge Between Families and Leadership
  Her active involvement in PTA leadership and advisory committees has made her a reliable conduit between school administration and families. She ensures that parent voices are heard at the table where decisions are made.
• Insight into Youth Development and the Justice System
  With a career dedicated to helping vulnerable youth and families, Eleanor brings a deep understanding of how systems—educational, social, and legal—affect young people. She believes in using education as a tool for opportunity and transformation.
• Champion for Equity, Access, and Opportunity
  Eleanor is steadfast in her work to eliminate barriers to student success. She advocates for fair access to high-quality programs, supports, and enrichment opportunities for all learners, especially those historically underserved.
• Integrity, Leadership, and Compassion
  With decades of public service experience, Eleanor is known for her work ethic, integrity, and collaborative leadership style. She listens, follows through, and leads with empathy.
• Deeply Rooted in the Community
  As a resident, mother, and volunteer in Poughkeepsie, Eleanor’s commitment to the district is personal. Her leadership reflects a long-term investment in the success and future of our schools.

Eleanor is running for the Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education to be a strong, consistent, and compassionate voice for all families. Her goal is to ensure that every child in the district receives the support, opportunities, and high-quality education they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

How long have you been living in Poughkeepsie?
I have been living in Poughkeepsie since 1988 and have been deeply involved in advocating for the students, families, and staff of our community for over three decades.

Education:
Although I have a degree in Business Administration with a minor in computer technology, but more importantly my education has been shaped by hands-on leadership, mentorship, and decades of direct community involvement. I have extensive experience in educational advocacy, youth program development, and community organizing.

Occupation:
Founder and Director of the Black and Latino Coalition and a an instructor, director with the Mighty Young Techs S.T.E.A.M. program. I also create Bible-based educational media and serve as a youth mentor and community leader.

Community Involvement:

• Attended and participated in Poughkeepsie School Board meetings consistently since 1988
• Founder of the Black and Latino Coalition
• Instructor and director of the Mighty Young Techs and the Mighty Young Majorettes programs, providing innovative after-school opportunities in S.T.E.A.M. and the arts
• Led community protests and initiatives addressing gun violence, educational inequities, and systemic injustices
• Produced the video series “Chronicles of a School Board,” exposing issues affecting students and staff
• Provided a safe haven for youth through a community arcade and learning center in the 1990s
• Advocate against the school-to-prison pipeline and discriminatory practices within the district

Why are you interested in becoming a Board of Education Member?
I am committed to ensuring that every child in the Poughkeepsie City School District has access to a high-quality, equitable education. I have dedicated my life to standing up for our students, families, and educators when others would not. As a Board member, I will continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and innovative programs that uplift and empower our children. My goal is to create a district that truly serves and respects the community it represents.

What is your connection to the school district?
I have been a tireless advocate for Poughkeepsie’s students, families, and staff for over 35 years. Through programs I’ve created and my consistent presence at board meetings, I have built strong relationships across the district and have been a voice for those who often go unheard.

What skills or attributes would you bring to the Board?

• Extensive knowledge of the district’s history, strengths, and challenges
• Proven leadership and the ability to unite and mobilize the community
• Strong advocacy skills for students, families, and staff
• Creative solutions to educational challenges, backed by years of program development experience
• A reputation for integrity, accountability, and standing up for what’s right
• Effective communication skills, including public speaking, media production, and educational content creation

What do you consider the most important issue(s) in the school district?

• Increasing transparency and accountability at all levels of leadership
• Addressing inequities in resources, opportunities, and treatment of students and staff
• Expanding successful and engaging educational programs
• Ensuring safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments
• Rebuilding trust between the district and the community
• Preventing unjust staffing decisions and protecting the rights of all educational stakeholders

1. How long have you been living in Poughkeepsie?  

I was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, where I attended and graduated from Warring Elementary School, Morse (when it was still a grade 7-9 Junior High School), and Poughkeepsie High School. After completing university and a thirty-year career of teaching and administration in international schools abroad, I returned to my roots in Poughkeepsie in 2022 to fulfill my dream to serve our community. Throughout the years in between I have regularly come home to visit family and friends. 

2. Education:

I completed a BA in Literature, History and Africana Studies at Cornell University and a MA in History at Northwestern University, and also had a Fulbright fellowship for Ph.D. dissertation research in Egypt and Sudan.

3. Occupation:

Retired Teacher and Administrator

4. Community Involvement:

- Religious instruction for children and adults at the Poughkeepsie mosque on Clinton Square and other local mosques in Wappingers Falls, Beacon and Newburgh.

- ⁠Teaching at the Marist Center for Lifetime Study

- ⁠Volunteer work in the Food Basket program at Family Partnership Center

- ⁠Volunteer Chaplin work at Vassar Hospital

- ⁠Teaching ESL to immigrants

5. Why are you interested in becoming a Board of Education Member?

I am deeply committed to the revival and development of the City of Poughkeepsie, and I firmly believe there is no avenue better than education for achieving this goal. I am excited about the possibility of collaborating with Board members and educators who share this vision. Circumstances did not favor an earlier return home, but now I’m back and retired and have the time and opportunity to pass on some of what was given to me by mentors like the Tarvers, the Mendezes, the Stanleys, and others like my high school teachers and counselor, Mr. Anthony Comunale.   

6. What is your connection to the school district?

I have strong ties to the Poughkeepsie school district through my family, including great-nephews and nieces and cousins. Additionally, many of my old neighbors and their families are involved in the local schools, creating a broad network of connections within the district. Moreover, I have a legacy of completing my entire elementary and secondary education, from KG to grade 12, in three of the City of Poughkeepsie schools: Warring, Morse and Poughkeepsie High. 

7. What skills or attributes would you bring to the Board?

I have more than three decades of teaching and administrative experience and skills in planning, teamwork, communication, networking and interpersonal relations. As an administrator I have been effective in fostering collaboration and understanding among diverse stakeholders. I know two languages fluently, English and Arabic, and I’m also working with diligence and determination to learn Spanish, as a third, to better connect with Poughkeepsie’s ethnically diverse community. My dedication to lifelong learning and commitment to community engagement are attributes I believe would greatly contribute to the Board’s mission. 

8. What do you consider the most important issue(s) in the school district?

City of Poughkeepsie schools face significant challenges, including low attendance and low achievement, high dropout rates, and violence. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, with a focus on safety, community values, and parental engagement. Safety is a priority because students who do not feel safe are less likely to attend school or thrive academically. Similarly, parents may feel compelled to relocate outside of the district or misrepresent their addresses to avoid sending their children to Poughkeepsie schools. Therefore, prioritizing safety is the key for encouraging student attendance and creating a conducive learning atmosphere for high achievement and low dropout rates.