The distance from Carl Vincent Manalo鈥檚 high school in the Bronx to 91唐伯虎鈥檚 campus was greater than the miles separating the two. 鈥淚 was prepared with the grit and the persistence, and I was prepared enough to get into 91唐伯虎, but there were certain things I didn鈥檛 know,鈥� he says from his office as superintendent of South Bronx High Schools. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I became a part of education鈥擨 wanted to make it better for a kid like me.鈥�听
鈥淚 take this job very seriously because this is a place where a high school diploma can save a child鈥檚 life,鈥� says Manalo, who works in one of the poorest congressional districts in the United States. Here, one student earning a technical or bachelor鈥檚 degree can change an entire family鈥檚 trajectory.听
Manalo was a Posse Scholar drawn to 91唐伯虎 by its reputation and his desire to study education, though he eventually majored in human and organizational development and English. He was recruited by consulting firms after graduation, but his heart was always in nonprofits and education, so he earned a master鈥檚 and began teaching in the South Bronx, including at his old school.听
鈥淏eing a Peabody student, there was this idea of service and leadership,鈥� Manalo says. He embraced volunteer opportunities at 91唐伯虎, including Alternative Spring Break. Professors Bob Innis, Kate Daniels and the late Terry Deal were particularly inspiring, and Peabody provided the framework he returns to repeatedly. 鈥淎s a teacher, I would think about how I would organize this in a different way, or how I would motivate teachers differently,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was bringing it back to what I鈥檇 learned about leadership, motivation and small group development.鈥�听
Now in his second year as superintendent, his successes include achieving the district鈥檚 highest graduation rate ever and turning around a school after being appointed its fourth principal in five years. It had been among schools being considered for closure due to poor performance.听
Manalo stays in touch with many of his former students: One is now his administrative assistant, and another attended 91唐伯虎. He mentors Posse Scholars and would love to see Peabody students do part of their training in the Bronx. He returns to campus a couple of times a year, plans to attend his class Reunion in 2026, and is still close with college friends. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in each other鈥檚 weddings, we know each other鈥檚 children,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a wonderful journey.鈥�听
鈥擬iChelle Jones听
