Dr. La’Quetta S. Small was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating from Central High School in Newark as class valedictorian, she enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF) at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, now Stockton University. In 1999, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health with a minor in Social Science. She received her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Kean University in 2003 and in May 2010, she obtained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University.

Dr. Small is entering her 25th year as an educator. She began her teaching career in the NewarkPublic School system. After completing her master’s degree, she began working in the Atlantic City Public School District in 2003. She started as a fourth grade teacher at New Jersey Avenue School. Later, she held the position of assistant principal at Uptown School Complex, acting principal at Uptown School Complex, principal at Pennsylvania Avenue School, and principal at Atlantic City High School. On January 1, 2022, Dr. Small was appointed to a 4.5-year term as the first African-American female Superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools and the first Atlantic City resident to serve as superintendent.

Working with children and serving the community brings her a great sense of fulfillment. She is dedicated to her profession and works diligently to ensure that staff and students Strive for Excellence Every Day in Every Way. She prides herself on leading by example and believes that “Education is not preparation for life, but education is life itself.” ~John Dewey

Dr. La’Quetta Small received the following awards and recognition:

• Best Practices Award for Innovative Instruction in Newark Public Schools
• National Council of Negro Women-Excellence in Education Award (Newark Section)
• National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Lambda Chapter-Education Award
• City Council of Atlantic City Recognition for Leadership in Education
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Upsilon Alpha Chapter-Education Award
• Atlantic City Hometown Hero-Educational Leadership Award
• In My Care Mentoring-Black Girls Rock Award
• Hiram Abiff Masonic Lodge No. 16, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliate-Educational Leadership Award
• New Jersey Senator James Whelan Leadership Citation
• Atlantic County Executive, Dennis Levinson Leadership Citation
• Resolution from the City of Atlantic City-City Council for Leadership in the Community and Education
• Women Who Inspire Award-Pennsylvania Avenue School
• Second Baptist Church-Woman of Virtue Award
• Featured in Front Runner New Jersey
• Parent Advisory Council Award for Dedicated Service-Uptown School Complex
• Stockton University-Distinguished Alumna Award for Community Service and Education
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated-Educational Leadership and Community Service Award
• New Jersey Senate Commendation for Educational Leadership & Community Service
• Congressional Proclamation for Educational Leadership & Community Service
• Bangladesh Association of South Jersey-Community Service Award
• NAACP 2023 Freedom Fund Honoree (Atlantic City Chapter)-Education Award
• National Drifters, Incorporated-Seaside Chapter-Coral Award 2024
• The Association for Equity and Excellence in Education, Inc.-Trio Alumni Achiever Award 2024

Dr. Small is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Atlantic City Alumnae Chapter, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (Iota Chapter), The Links, Incorporated, Atlantic City (NJ) Chapter, Atlantic City Community Fund, Epicurean Society of Southern New Jersey and former Vice-Chair of the Atlantic City Housing Authority. Dr. Small is also a member of Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City. She believes that, “Service is the price that you pay for time on earth.”- Shirley Chisolm. In addition to her community service, Dr. Small takes pride in teaching aspiring administrators where she served as an adjunct professor at Cheyney University in the Educational Leadership Graduate Program. Dr. Small is married to the Honorable Marty Small, Sr., Mayor of Atlantic City. They are the proud parents of Jada, 17 and Marty Jr., 15 who attend school in the Atlantic City School District.