John J. Ramos, Sr., Ed. D.

2010 John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action Recipient

The Ethics in Action Award honors a Connecticut leader who has authentically demonstrated ethical business or leadership practices.

Dr. John Ramos

Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr., Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools

Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr. has served as Superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools since June of 2005. Under his leadership, the school district and supporting community have developed an aggressive five-year Strategic Plan that endorses the focused mission to graduate all students “college ready” and prepared to succeed in life. “EXPECT GREAT THINGS” has become the district’s mantra and the Bridgeport Public Schools are on the path to greater success having recently been recognized as a BROAD PRIZE FINALIST in both 2006 and 2007.

As part of the EXPECT GREAT THINGS motto, Dr. Ramos has also popularized the expectation that students would, say the right thing, do the right thing, and make the right thing happen. It is with this focus in mind that Dr. Ramos is The School for Ethical Education’s 2010 John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action Award recipient.

A Bridgeport School District teacher has noted of Dr. Ramos,

It has been said that the measure of a man’s success is evident in the triumph of his children. To that end, I have been privileged to meet Dr. Ramos’ son, a young man whose values excellently reflect those of his parents. As a parent of adult children myself, I see Dr. Ramos as a man who empowers his young, providing them with skills and character to be strong contributors to our country.

I believe Dr. John Ramos to be a man of stalwart principles. His conduct suggests to me that he sees our students much the same as he sees his own children. This is a man who makes specific choices and holds high standards of behavior, not only for himself, but for those he holds dear; which obviously includes his students, Bridgeport students.

A District administrator made this observation of Dr. Ramos,

I have known Dr. Ramos for about eighteen years. I initially met him in the early 1990’s when he was principal of Norwalk High School where my daughter was a student. His guidance for my daughter and the other students at Norwalk High was a model of what a principal should be for a school and the community—he always put the children first. That is something he never fails to do now as Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools.

And finally a parent has commented,

Dr. Ramos “expects great things” and has set high standards for all our children in the district. This is evident in many places but especially in the mission statement which states that the goal of the system is for our children to graduate “college ready and prepared to succeed in life.” His ability to communicate effectively and to introduce new and innovative initiatives in the district are clear indicators that he is willing to work with us parents, as well as the community, to support the needs of children and their families, all in a sincere effort to bring our mission statement alive.

There has been many ways he has help the parents,... I remember this quote he told us,..."You all are not just parents,” he said, “you are leaders."

His encouraging words gave us strength...

On behalf of all Bridgeport Public school parents, we would like to say, congratulations Dr. Ramos. Keep up the good work.

Prior to serving as Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport, Dr. Ramos was Deputy Commissioner for Educational Programs and Services for the Connecticut State Department of Education in Hartford. As Deputy Commissioner, Ramos helped create a new process for the development of the 2006-2010 Comprehensive Plan. Additional responsibilities included assisting school districts in raising student achievement and closing achievement gaps, facilitating high school reform and working to develop character programs. From 2002-2004, Ramos served Watertown Public Schools as superintendent. Under his leadership, Ramos established the Watertown Public School Education Foundation and the district was awarded a highly competitive four-year instructional improvement grant to implement the district’s new strategic plan. He’s also served as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and for Norwalk Public Schools, principal of Norwalk High School, principal/director for the Providence School District’s Alternate Learning Project High School and program director for the Rhode Island Department of Education. Ramos received his doctorate in Educational Administration from Columbia University, his M.P.A. from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature from Brown University.

The School for Ethical Education is privileged to honor Dr. Ramos and welcomes your nomination of a Connecticut leader who demonstrates a commitment to ethics and character:

» Nomination Form for the John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action award [PDF Form; 51 KB]

Past Ethics in Action Award Recipients