LaRue: A Tribute to Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan

Last week I read with very mixed feelings about the retirement of Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan.  Her three years in leadership over the State agency that supervises all public, renaissance, and charter schools has often been fraught with controversy, but there are always at least two sides…maybe…three sides to every story.

As a veteran educator, retired NJEA lobbyist, and a pretty well-known political strategist in the State, I’m weighing in on the Angelica Allen-McMillan that I’ve had the distinct pleasure to work with up close.  It is her passion for education and compassion for students, parents and school employees that have struck me from the day she was honored to join Governor Phil Murphy’s Cabinet.

Ironically, the Commissioner’s announcement of joining the Administration was more than unusual because we couldn’t even see her face.  Angelica took the reins of the Department on October 20, 2020, in the thick of COVID and the press conference was held outside with participants wearing masks.  Imagine starting a new position where hundreds of school districts were trying to figure it all out as remote learning was being mandated, hybrid systems were being eased in, and finally as schools across the State were requiring masks as individuals return to in-person learning. Let’s not even go there on debates over mandatory testing and vaccinations on COVID.  What a very difficult time it was.

Yet, Angelica marvels in the fact, that she was at the helm as schools reopened in a manner that students and school staff were safe and that parents could rest assured that the State was looking out for their children. Thanks to a $4.5B Federal/State investment after 15 long months of remote and hybrid learning, funds were available to support mental health needs and other resources to assist in learning acceleration.  Out of the many achievements Angelica has been most proud is how schools were reopened and how the Department handled follow up services post-COVID.

A couple of months ago, Commissioner Allen-McMillan gave me a tour of her building so that I could enjoy the amazing art expressions of students as they showed their resilience through the pandemic.  This project, “Hope, Healing and Resilience Through COVID,” is a collaboration between NJDOE and the arts community.  Some of the artwork brought tears to my eyes just remembering the psychological maze we felt during that time.

I could list a myriad of the Commissioner’s achievements such as returning both Paterson and Jersey City Schools to local control, moving Camden City Schools to proficiency in two QSAC performance areas, advancing the strategy for the Governor’s universal preschool initiative, and on and on.   That’s not what stands out to me about this educator. I’ve been moved by her undaunting commitment to serve this Administration and the State to the best of her ability.

The strength, the intellect, and the loyalty of Commissioner Allen-McMillan may never be fully told as she retires Feb. 1, 2024.  While I’ve interacted with her many times on the professional front, I got to witness a more personal side of her over the last few months.  I may have been the second or third person she called when her mother was diagnosed with cancer.  She was determined to be there for her mother but didn’t want to let her staff down.  Even the moment that her mother passed away; Angelica was informed while presenting on a panel.

I’m absolutely thrilled that after almost three decades as a career educator ranging from a substitute teacher to executive county superintendent, Angelica has decided to retire.  I wish her and her husband well and look forward to what her next chapter will be.  It’s been my pleasure and honor getting to know you.

Jeannine Frisby LaRue is a New Jersey civil rights and social justice leader who has served as a Councilwoman, New Jersey Casino Control Commissioner, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, and lobbyist.