Naia Wilson
| Naia Wilson | |
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Educator, housing-justice advocate |
| Known for | Head of New Mission High School in Boston (2006–2019); Housing Director at Justice 4 Housing |
| Education | Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Boston; M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics, Eastern Nazarene College; B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Connecticut |
| Website | https://justice4housing.org/naia-wilson/ |
Naia Wilson is an American educator and housing-justice advocate who spent roughly three decades working in urban public education, principally in the Boston Public Schools, where she served as head of school of New Mission High School from 2006 until 2019.[1][2] Under her leadership, the school received several state and national recognitions.[3] Following her own journey through the criminal justice system, she joined Justice 4 Housing, a Boston-based nonprofit, where she directs work on housing access for people with criminal records.[1]
Education
Wilson holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Leadership from Bridgewater State College. She earned a Master of Education in Secondary Mathematics from Eastern Nazarene College and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut.[1]
Career in education
According to her biography published by Justice 4 Housing, Wilson worked for more than 30 years in urban schools, with the stated aim of dismantling institutional barriers that contribute to what is commonly described as the school-to-prison pipeline for students of color. Over the course of her career in the Boston Public Schools she held roles as a mathematics teacher, mathematics instructional coach, assistant principal, and headmaster.[1]
New Mission High School
Wilson was head of school of New Mission High School, a Boston Public Schools pilot school located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, from 2006 until about June 2019.[2][4] New Mission is a college-preparatory school serving students in grades 7 through 12.[2]
During Wilson's tenure the school earned a series of recognitions. New Mission was awarded the 2012 EdVestors $100,000 "School on the Move" Prize, and in 2013 it was named a National Blue Ribbon School.[3][1] The school was also selected as a Distinguished School by the ESEA Network in 2017.[3] Observers credited Wilson's leadership, noting that New Mission flourished during her years as head of school.[4]
Housing-justice advocacy
Following her career in education, Wilson joined Justice 4 Housing, a Boston-based nonprofit organization that works on housing access and reentry support for people affected by the criminal justice system. In her role there, described on the organization's website as Housing Director, she works to challenge policies and practices that limit housing options for formerly incarcerated people, continuing a stated focus on social justice and equity.[1]
White Collar Conference
Wilson participated in the White Collar Conference, an event focused on people affected by white-collar criminal cases, joining a 2024 panel on healing through supportive community.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Naia Wilson". 'Justice 4 Housing}'. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Former Boston school principal Naia Wilson". CBS News Boston. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Distinguished Schools: New Mission High School". 'ESEA Network}'. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Former New Mission School leader". The Boston Globe. January 11, 2024. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ "Naia Wilson — White Collar Conference". 'White Collar Conference}'. Retrieved 2026-07-23.