Renny Fong

Principal, P.S. 130 Hernando De Soto

Manhattan, New York

Fellow

Renny Fong, since 2014, has served as the Principal of P.S. 130 Hernando De Soto, a 2017 National Blue Ribbon elementary school in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Prior to being Principal of P.S. 130, Renny served as a teacher there for over 15 years since 1997. A native New Yorker, Renny is also a product of the New York City public school system.

P.S. 130 is a Title 1 school with over 60% of its student population qualifying for free lunch, and many are multilingual learners. It also has a sought-after Gifted and Talented program. Amid such an environment, Renny has embraced and advanced the school’s vision and ethos of Excellence in Education – Enrichment for all Children.

Renny is married with two school-age sons and is a proud resident of Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood. His wife is a chef and nutritionist; together with their two sons, they love indulging in New York’s vibrant food scene.

Renny is a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University (M.A. Education), Columbia College, Columbia University (B.A. Economics), and Stuyvesant High School. Renny was also a Wallace Principals Institute Fellow at Bank Street College, where he received an M.A. in Educational Leadership in 2013.

Beena Thomas

Assistant Principal, P.S. 130 Hernando De Soto

Manhattan, New York

ALLY

Beena Thomas is currently in her seventh year as an Assistant Principal at PS 130 in District 2, Manhattan. Prior to this role, she was a teacher and Literacy/Math Coach in District 6, Manhattan for 12 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University and completed the Barnard Education Program. In addition, she earned her Master of Science degree in Education (Teaching Literacy, Birth - Grade 12) at Touro College and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership through the Principals’ Institute at Bank Street College.

As an Assistant Principal, Beena is committed to her school’s mission: Excellence in Education and Enrichment for All Children, and works in close collaboration with her Principal and the school staff to maintain a school culture rooted in hard work, trust, respect, and responsibility by fostering a positive, safe, and nurturing environment for all. With equal importance placed on both a rigorous academic and culturally responsive curricula and an enriching arts program, students are provided with multiple opportunities to achieve success, discover their creativity, strengthen their relationships, communication, and critical thinking and decision-making skills, and develop positivity and respect toward themselves and others’ perspectives and experiences.