Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed Arnaldo (Arnie) Rivera today to be the City of Chicago’s new Deputy Chief of Staff for Education. He will coordinate the administration’s education policy agenda for the City of Chicago from early childhood through the City Colleges.

“While we have seen incredible success in academic achievement and an expansion of high quality education options over the last three years, I’m excited to welcome Arnie to the team to help carry those gains forward,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As a former teacher, Arnie understands the critical issues facing Chicago classrooms and will help to further our efforts to ensure every student has access to a high-quality public school education.”

Rivera began his career in education with three years teaching first grade at the Walt Disney Magnet School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. He lives in the Rogers Park neighborhood with his wife Myriah Brown-Rivera, a Nationally Board Certified CPS teacher, and their two-year-old daughter, Leahy.

Rivera spent nearly six years serving the Chicago Public Schools administration. He was most recently the Deputy Chief of Staff for the CEO where he led planning and execution outreach strategies for the full school day and expansion of the International Baccalaureate programs. Over the past year, Rivera has served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Chicago Public Education Fund, managing and executing the strategic planning and budget process for the organization.
"As a former CPS teacher and administrator, husband of a teacher and father of a child approaching school age, I am deeply invested in the success of the City's education strategy, from cradle to career,” said Arnie Rivera. “I am excited to be able to positively impact change in the lives of students and families in the city of Chicago in this role."

Rivera replaces Elizabeth Swanson who has transitioned into a new role at the Joyce Foundation after more than three years as Deputy Chief of Staff for Education in the Emanuel Administration.

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