New York City has a great program for autism inclusion in its district schools. Thing was, there wasn’t one in Harlem. We helped change that. While folks often see charters as modeling practices for the District, we stole the District’s model and put in a charter. And it’s working. It all started over steak-frites. A…
Month: May 2016
Real Stories of American Indian Public Charter School
It was over 15 years ago, when elders in the Native Community asked me help with the American Indian Public Charter School. A school, then in revocation, and now rated among the best schools in the City, state, and country. But at that time, nepotism reined, the school was in debt, had no employees, only…
Teachers Need Tools and Support not “Accountability”- Concretely Appreciating Teachers on Teacher Appreciation Week
Accountability like sh*t flows downhill. And accountability talk from policymakers and shills is like the halftime at a Raiders game after too many tailgate tacos. It’s teacher appreciation week, so let’s actually appreciate the lifeblood of schools, and give them a break. The current accountability talk, misses the soul of a school and teacher, and…
Schools to Celebrate- Fostering Wellness on Staten Island
People said we were crazy when we applied to start John W. Lavelle Prep Charter in Staten Island. It was a college prep middle school that would cater to students with emerging mental health challenges. There were no other models to look at in NY, and these kids often faced immense challenges. This is what…