How an Iranian refugee rose to lead Camden's schools

Phily 

by Allison Steele

Paymon Rouhanifard was 5 when he arrived in America on Thanksgiving Day 1986 with his parents and brother. Almost two years had passed since the night his family crossed the Iranian border into Pakistan in a truck, fleeing religious persecution that had resulted in the imprisonment and murder of friends and relatives, and they had spent months in refugee camps before landing in New York City.

After Rouhanifard’s family settled near Nashville, his father pumped gas until he was able to start a small business. Rouhanifard learned English, went to college, and became an educator. In 2013, Gov. Christie appointed him superintendent of Camden’s state-run school district, calling on him to turn around the city’s struggling schools.

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