AllentownSchool District

Superintendent

Dr. Birks

Dr. Carol D. Birks is a catalytic and transformational educational thought leader with extensive experience in organizational leadership, community engagement and empowerment, executive coaching and change management.  The leadership practices she implements are designed to enhance the systems, structures, and practices within organizations to accelerate academic progress and promote systems thinking. 
Dr. Birks began her career as a teacher, quickly growing her administrative capacity by serving as a school, district, and state leader. These roles include Teacher, Assistant Principal & Principal for Bridgeport Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent, and Chief of Staff for Hartford Public Schools, and Superintendent of Schools for New Haven Public Schools, and Chester Upland School District. Currently Dr. Birks is the Superintendent for the Allentown School District located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Birks holds a Doctoral Degree and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College. She also earned a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Bridgeport and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Hampton University.  She also attained a Superintendent’s Certification from the University of Connecticut’s NEAG School of Education. 
Dr. Birks has a strong commitment to community service and civic engagement. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and The Links Incorporated. Dr. Birks serves as a Regional Board Member for Hartford Healthcare’s St. Vincent’s Hospital.  Dr. Birks is also an Executive Board Member and Scholarship Chairperson for The Greater Fairfield County Foundation, Incorporated.
Below please finds Dr. Birks’ selected publications and presentations and awards.


PUBLICATIONS
- Birks, C. (2013). Designing an early college high school for African American males. Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Organizational Leadership in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education.
- Birks, C. & Richardson, J. Eight ways to make your mark. Principal Leadership: National Association of Secondary School Principals.
- Contributor: Birks, C. (2011). What works in partnerships: Making the Mathematics Curriculum Count: National Association of Secondary School Principals.
- Contributor: Birks, C. (2011) New principal’s toolkit, National Association of Secondary School Principals.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS  
- Policy Leadership and Change: The Urban Superintendent, Yale University, New Haven, CT 2019.
- Human Capital: Overall strategy of improvement in District Improvement, Emerging Human Capital Leaders Initiative, VA, 2019.
- The Achievement Gap Legal and Educational Challenges, Shipman & Goodwin LLP: Hartford, CT, 2019.
- A Response to Dr. Linda Darling- Hammond Plenary Speaker.  Reflections on Yale University’s School Development Program’s 50th Anniversary, New Haven, CT, 2018.
- Systemic Planning for Sustained Family and Community Engagement, Columbia University Teachers College, 2014.Providing Effective Feedback to Teachers, Schools for Tomorrow Leadership Institute, Pantanal, Brazil, 2013.
- Panel Discussion, High School Community College Partnerships, New England Association of Schools (NEASC) National Conference, Boston, MA, 2006.
- Bridging the High School/ Community College Gap. CABE/CAPSS Convention: Out of the Public Schools Grows the Greatness of a Nation, Hartford, CT, 2005.
- Students + Parents x GEAR UP Movement to Education Reform: Second National GEAR UP Conference, Washington, DC, 2002.

AWARDS
- Educational Leadership Award, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Delta Iota Sigma Chapter 
- The University of Connecticut, NEAG School of Education Outstanding Professional Award
- 100 Influential African Americans’ Award, CT Statewide National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Dr. Dorothy I. Height Community Service Award, Fairfield Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
- CT Distinguished 100 Women of Color Award
- Distinguished Educator Award, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Connection Sections 
- Distinguished Alumna Award, University of Bridgeport, 
- Connecticut Association of Schools William Cieslukowski Outstanding First Year High School Principal Award
- Bridgeport Guardians Leadership Award
- Professional Award, Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club
- Bridgeport’s Black Pride Woman of Substance Award
- Woman of the Year Juneteenth Parade
- YMCA Community Service Award, Ralphola Taylor Community Center
- Turner’s Faith Temple Community Service Award