Carolyne Quintana is the Chief Executive Officer of Teaching Matters, where she leads the organization’s mission to ensure every student thrives by investing in excellent teaching. A lifelong educator and system leader, she brings more than two decades of experience driving equity-centered, large-scale instructional improvement across classrooms, districts, and national organizations.
Prior to joining Teaching Matters, Carolyne served as Deputy Chancellor of Teaching and Learning for NYC Public Schools, launching transformative initiatives such as NYC Reads, a citywide effort to strengthen early literacy; the expansion of bilingual and autism spectrum programs; and the creation of the K–12 AI Policy Lab, the first of its kind in the nation to guide responsible, equity-driven use of AI in schools. She has also led nationally as Senior Director of the Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD) initiative, building the capacity of adults to create inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
Through her consultancy, Learning and Leading Solutions, Carolyne has advised state education agencies, school systems, and nonprofits on leadership development, instructional coherence, and systemic redesign. Her work spans high school transformation, AI readiness, and coaching leaders to align vision and strategy for sustainable change.
Carolyne earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Fordham University. Grounded in her identity as a Latina, first-generation college graduate, and former Bronx teacher, she leads with purpose, collaboration, and a deep belief in the brilliance of every learner.
When she’s not working, you can find Carolyne hiking with her family, baking, or bird-watching from her porch.