Gary Lamotta
Retired Bronx, New York, school principal Gary LaMotta led a local school for 16 years. Gary LaMotta served The New York City Department of Education in a number of positions, including as a teacher, early in his career. Later on, Mr. LaMotta led a team who transformed Public School and Middle School (P.S./M.S.) 280 from one of New York City’s most overcrowded institutions into one of the first autonomous schools in the Bronx, featuring expanded facilities. Educated at St. John’s University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1970, Gary LaMotta also attended New York University, graduating with a Master of Arts in History in 1973. To become a teacher of students in special education classes, Mr. LaMotta completed courses at The College of New Rochelle in New York state. He also attended Fordham University, earning a professional diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision to become a special education supervisor or school principal. Before leading P.S./M.S. 280, Gary LaMotta served as a social studies and language arts teacher for four years at New York’s Intermediate School (I.S.) 155. Also, he led I.S. 155’s special education unit as a Crisis Intervention Teacher (C.I.T.) before working as Special Education Supervisor in institutions across Manhattan’s District 3 school system. The recipient of a Council for School Supervisors & Administrators (CSA) High Achievement Monetary Award for school excellence, Gary LaMotta participated in professional programs throughout his career. Mr. LaMotta attended the Fordham University National Principals Leadership Institute in 1998 and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Partners in Leadership Program in 2003. Additionally, Mr. LaMotta served as a Principals' Mentor in the Bronx while actively working as Principal of P.S./M.S. 280. A supporter of not-for-profit organizations, including the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Ronald McDonald House New York, Gary LaMotta engages in a number of volunteer roles in his Bronx community, including gardening, landscaping, and caring for friends with cancer.