Michael Goar, interim superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, will become the new executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. The nonprofit mentoring organization announced Wednesday that Goar will replace Gloria Lewis, who retires in May after leading the organization since 2005.
“His vision and leadership will help advance our mission to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever,” stated Marci Malzahn, the nonprofit organization’s board chair.
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches more than 2,000 children with adult and teen volunteer mentors, who meet with them informally or through regular visits at their schools. It has annual revenue of nearly $4 million.
Goar worked for public school districts in Memphis and Boston and served as executive director at the Minneapolis education reform initiative Generation Next, launching efforts to compile data on the best ways to close the racial and socioeconomic achievement gap. He has led Minneapolis Public Schools since Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson resigned last year, after serving two years under her as the district’s chief executive officer. He had applied for the permanent superintendent job but withdrew in January.
Goar said in Wednesday’s announcement that knows the importance of mentoring from in his own life experiences. He lived in South Korea until he was 12 and was adopted by a Minneapolis couple.
“I know firsthand the difference that a mentor can make in a young person’s life,” he stated. “Without the support of my own mentor, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”