Our Executive Director

Dr. Kadeem Ruiz is the Executive Director of Rocketship Wisconsin, overseeing all aspects of our two Milwaukee schools.

Kadeem is living proof of the impact of exemplary educational opportunities. Kadeem grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a single mother and the only one of four children to graduate from high school. Having lost one brother to gun violence and another to prison, Kadeem understands firsthand the devastating consequences of a lack of educational opportunities for all kids. Kadeem’s youngest brother struggled with emotional management differences and inspired Kadeem to pursue special education instead of matriculating into Columbia Law School, where he was accepted after college. Teachers and adult mentors also played a large role in Kadeem’s trajectory, eventually helping him win a scholarship to an elite boarding high school, The Hotchkiss School, and go on to Princeton University. There, Kadeem discovered his passion for teaching through tutoring reformed drug addicts recently released from prison to take the GED. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree from Hunter College in Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the Bank Street School of Education. He also received his Educational Doctorate Degree in Leadership and Innovation from New York University in 2025.

Most recently, Kadeem worked as the Managing Director of Exceptional Student Education at Breakthrough Public Schools, a 12 school K-8 charter network. There, he deepened and expanded Breakthrough’s impact through a nationally-recognized distance learning program. Prior to joining Breakthrough, Kadeem was the Senior Director of Special Populations at Explore Schools in Brooklyn, New York, served as special education director and taught special education for many years in New York City