New MPS Superintendent talks to CBS 58

MILWAUKEE-- Dr. Darienne Driver, the new superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools, is speaking out for the first time since being appointed.



\"10 to 15 years ago, I never would've thought that this was possible,\" said Driver,  who just became the first female superintendent at the district.



Driver grew up in the East coast and went to public schools outside of Pittsburgh.



\"I always wanted to be a teacher, that was my first love,\" said Driver. \"My grandmother was a teacher, but I realized I could have a more significant impact as an administrator... I wanted to see the changes that could happen system wide.\"



Seeing changes, means facing challenges. Driver says she's facing many as a new leader.



'We have a lot of challenges and a huge opportunity to work for our students,\" Driver said. \"I want our students to be proficient in reading and math



Driver obtained a master's degree in curriculum development from the University of Michigan, a master's degree from Harvard's Graduate School of Education, and finished her doctorate in education in May through Harvard's Urban Superintendency program.



She joined MPS in 2012 when Gregory Thornton, the former superintendent, recommended her to be the Chief Innovation Officer.



\"We've missed a lot of opportunities to engage our students creating and shaping the culture of our studetns and our buildings so I want to increase the contact we have with our students,\" said Dr. Driver.



The Milwaukee Teacher's Education Association sent out a statement saying in part \"Driver is a welcome role model for Children at Milwaukee Public Schools.\"