Irwin Altman (1926-1993) began his career in education as a teacher in 1949. In 1982, he became Superintendent of Community School District 26 in northeast Queens, a post he held for 11 years until his death in 1993 at age 66. During his tenure, District 26 ranked first in reading and math scores in New York City. In addition, Altman taught at Manhattan College, Pace University, and City College of New York.

Born in the Bronx, Altman went to P.S. 48 James Monroe High School and served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1949 and a master’s in 1951, both from New York University. His first job was at Junior High School 188 in the Bronx in 1949, where he taught social studies, math, and English. He met his future wife, Marilyn, on a blind date, and they married in 1952.

By 1951, he was teaching in the Bronx at P.S. 63, and he moved on to Morris High School in 1955, where he served as a teacher, program chairman, and guidance counselor. In 1963, after having served as deputy superintendent in the Bronx, he went on to Junior High School 164 in Manhattan’s Fort Washington neighborhood, where he served as assistant principal and then, in 1969, as acting principal.

By 1982, he had begun work as superintendent of District 26. During his career, he also served as president of the city Association of Superintendents. In 1989, he was a member of the Temporary State Commission on New York City School Governance, chaired by Senator John J. Marchi, which conducted a two-year study on the control and governance of New York City schools.

Altman was a tireless worker who devoted his life to education. For many years, he spent summers as head camp counselor at overnight camps in Maine and Upstate New York. In his free time, he enjoyed listening to music and following the Jets and the Mets. On his death in 1993, he was survived by his wife of 40 years, Marilyn, his mother, his children, Candy and Arthur, and three grandchildren.

Co-named in 1993 for his longtime service in education, Irwin Altman Street is located on Oceania Street between Horace Harding Expressway and 210th Street in Bayside. It passes directly in front of the location of Altman’s District 26 office at J.H.S. 074 Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School.

In addition, Middle School 172 in Floral Park, located in District 26 where Altman served 11 years as superintendent, was renamed the Irwin Altman Middle School in his honor.