Jane Hsu

Jane has been the principal of P.S. 116, a zoned elementary school in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood, since 2003. Given the geographic location of the school, P.S. 116 serves a diverse population, ethnically, racially, and socio-economically. Soon after her appointment, the school began to experience overcrowding as a result of residential expansion in the neighborhood. As they addressed their concerns of being over capacity, Jane and her assistant principal made a conscious decision to use this as an opportunity to lobby phasing out a district gifted program that had been in their school for over 20 years. They were successful in doing so, and, in turn, have been productive in creating an inclusive and diverse learning environment for all students. Jane is committed to nurturing the inner lives of her staff members to promote self-care and to help equip them with strategies and skills to use during times of challenge.