Dumar Paden

Dumar Paden has over a decade of experience as an educator and school leader. He currently serves as an Academic Dean at Achievement First Public Charter Schools, a nationally recognized high performing charter network serving over 13,000 predominantly Black and Latino students across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. As part of the leadership team of a high performing AF high school in Brooklyn, he coaches a portfolio of teachers in Composition/Writing, along with overseeing the school’s initiative to support the most struggling and at-risk students. Prior to working at AF, Dumar was a founding staff member and leader at New Dawn Charter High School, a program serving over-aged students who were previously unsuccessful at previous high schools. As the founding Director of College and Career Readiness, Dumar was responsible for ensuring all students, including those who previously dropped out high school, formerly incarcerated, or truant, were prepared for and graduated high school with a post-secondary option. In addition, he served as member of the school’s leadership team, managing policies and initiatives such as hiring, recruitment, staff organizational culture, student culture, discipline, scheduling, attendance, and compliance. New Dawn’s college readiness data consistently outperformed other institutions who served similar at-risk students during his 5 year tenure at the school. Before his work at New Dawn, Dumar served in a variety of capacities within education including his work as a school counselor, college writing teacher, and manager of several non-profit programs. 

In addition to his day to day work as an educator, Dumar is also an author, speaker, and consultant in topics of education and leadership. He has delivered keynotes speeches and led trainings for various organizations and conferences across the country. 

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Dumar was the first male in his family to graduate from college. He obtained his Bachelor of Science from The State University of New York at Albany (SUNY Albany), and his Master of Science from Grand Canyon University. His experiences growing up in Brooklyn as a first-generation college graduate keeps him committed to his community while ensuring all black and brown youth receive quality education opportunities. He hopes to one day found his own educational nonprofit organization to provide essential services to underserved low income communities of color. Dumar currently resides with his wife Shannon, who is also an experienced school leader/teacher in Secaucus, NJ.