Work & Impact
A Career Measured in Outcomes
With nearly 30 years of impactful achievements throughout Illinois, Washington and Missouri, Dr. Borishade's professional journey is built on trust, measurable outcomes and dedication. Each success is a testament to an unwavering commitment and hard work.
Proven Impact
ISBE Spotlight School Designation
As principal of Indiana Elementary School in Matteson, Illinois, Dr. Borishade led a school serving a vibrant, diverse community full of potential and talent to recognition as a 2008 Illinois State Board of Education Spotlight School and Illinois Honor Roll School.
Parent Academy for Student Achievement
Dr. Borishade developed and expanded PASA, an award-winning family engagement program in the Kent School District that guided immigrant families through every dimension of the American school system. Under her leadership, the PASA classes served and impacted over 500 families. One family's story captures the impact: a student whose GPA was 0.6 raised it to 2.7 in nine weeks after his parents completed the program.
School Improvement Officer: State Recognition for 7 of 14 Schools
As School Improvement Officer for 14 elementary schools in the Kent School District, Dr. Borishade delivered high-impact professional development for principals, strengthened instructional consistency across the district, and drove measurable academic gains in some of Washington State's most diverse school communities. Seven of her fourteen schools earned state recognition for significant progress in reading and math, particularly among multilingual learners.
Director of Education: Four Charter Schools
As Director of Education for Charter Schools USA in Chicago, Dr. Borishade facilitated and supervised the opening of four charter schools serving PreK through 12, ensuring each met Chicago Public Schools and Illinois Network of Charter Schools compliance standards. She built the operational and instructional frameworks that gave each school a foundation for sustained academic achievement from its first day of operation.
Superintendent, Saint Louis Public Schools
Dr. Borishade served as Superintendent of Saint Louis Public Schools, leading a district of more than 17,000 learners across 60-plus schools. During her tenure she secured a landmark $30 million transportation contract ensuring reliable daily access to school for every learner in the district. Graduation rates increased from 69.6 percent to 72.8 percent. More than 5,000 students achieved 2.5 years of academic growth. Following a tornado that damaged six school buildings, she coordinated the relocation of every displaced learner without a single day of lost instruction. Saint Louis Public Schools received the highest possible determination score from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for special education compliance under her leadership.
Mentorship in Action
When a student arrived in Illinois after Hurricane Katrina had uprooted everything familiar, Dr. Borishade did not just offer resources. She showed up. She helped the student and his family find their footing in a new city, connected him with the people and opportunities he needed, and then stood beside him at the Junior Achievement ceremony during the Chicago Business Hall of Fame Induction as he delivered his presentation. That student did not just perform well that day. He walked in with confidence he had not had before. That is what Dr. Borishade's mentorship looks like in practice.
Primary Sources
The Record
📄 Illinois State Board of Education — Spotlight School Award Letter, February 2009
Indiana Elementary School's recognition as a 2008 ISBE Spotlight School and Illinois Honor Roll School.
🎬 Parent Academy for Student Achievement — Kent School District, Washington State
Produced by the Kent School District, this short documentary captures the PASA program in action. Over nine weeks, parents meet for 90 minutes once a week at schools throughout the district, with instruction offered in the four most spoken languages at each school. In two years, nearly 500 parents graduated from the program. The graduation ceremony that closes each cohort is itself a statement: these parents are now the true authors of their children's educational journey. PASA transcended cultural barriers and produced measurable gains in student achievement.
📄 Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — IDEA Annual Determination Letter, July 2025
Saint Louis Public Schools received the highest possible determination score under Dr. Borishade's leadership as Superintendent — "Meets the Requirements and Purposes of the IDEA."
📊 Missouri Annual Performance Report — St. Louis Public Schools, 2025
A Graphic by Josh Renaud of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, uses data from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), documenting Saint Louis Public Schools' Annual Performance Report scores across three consecutive years. The data shows SLPS scoring 66.5 percent in 2025, up from 65.7 percent in 2024 and 63.2 percent in 2023. This data shows a consistent upward trajectory across every year of Dr. Borishade's tenure as Chief of Schools and Superintendent. The improvement reflects sustained academic progress in one of Missouri's most complex urban school districts.