Welcoming three new trustees!

We’re fortunate to welcome three new trustees to our board, each of whom brings important skills and experiences to our team. We look forward to working with you!

Yahaira Keeler, Senior Analyst, Business Strategy & Digital Innovation, PVH Corp

Yahaira is a Senior Analyst of Digital Innovation, supporting the development and implementation of digital experiences and capabilities across channels and markets. She also co-chairs LOLA North America BRG, whose mission is to provide an inclusive platform centered on celebrating the diverse Latinx community within PVH. Yahaira is a Marine veteran who graduated from Howard University with a B.A.; she received her MBA from NYU Stern School of Business with a specialization in Innovation, Leadership, & Strategy.

Lisa Springer, Provost, LIM College

As Provost,  Lisa leads LIM College’s Academic Affairs unit, serving as Chief Academic Officer, as well as advisor to the President on curriculum, faculty, and attainment of academic and teaching excellence. During her tenure as provost, she has led curricular transformation to increase relevance, flexibility, and inclusion. Prior to joining LIM, Dr. Springer was Associate Dean at the NYU School of Professional Studies, where she led the Division of Languages and Humanities. Lisa received a BA from Barnard College, an MFA in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College, and an Ed.D from NYU specializing in Leadership and Innovation.

Sonya Crosswell Assan, Second Vice President, Associate Corporate Secretary, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

As Associate Corporate Secretary at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Sonya directs and supports Guardian's Board in the execution of its fiduciary responsibilities. She has served as Corporate Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of Carver Federal Savings Bank and has prior legal experience at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Bryan Cave LLP. Receiving J.D. and B.A. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Sonya is an active mentor of students and attorneys and served 7 years on the Board of Trustees of a high performing charter school in Harlem.

BAL Teacher Lauren DeBonis Finalist for the FLAG Award

We’ve always been proud of our fabulous Bronx Letters teachers but it’s great when others recognize them as well!

Our very own history teacher Lauren DeBonis was just notified that she was selected as a finalist for the prestigious and competitive FLAG award. Congrats, Lauren!

The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. An independent jury selects the finalists from those nominated based on numerous factors, with a strong emphasis placed on the student experience.

The ideal candidate …

• Challenges and inspires students of all abilities, utilizing innovative teaching techniques and approaches to curricula and activities.

• Reaches out beyond the classroom, making a positive impact on the school and the community.

• Embraces their role as an educator with tireless, devoted dedication.  

• Acknowledges the full spectrum of potential in each and every student.

• Teaches through example, as a leader and role model both inside the classroom and out.

• Engages in opportunities for self-improvement and continues to learn, grow, and develop as a teacher.

"Be the Change Week" is a middle school favorite at Bronx Letters!

Be the Change Week at Bronx Letters

Every year, all Bronx Letters middle schoolers take part in a fun, dynamic program we call “Be the Change Week” involving research, field trips, hands-on making, and group presentations.

Students form small groups to explore their chosen topics, and then at week’s end, the school is abuzz as each group showcases and explains their findings to other students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

This year’s theme was highly topical: We took inspiration straight from the United Nations and their Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Each BTC group was created with these goals in mind, so that Bronx Letters students could play a part in bettering our world by the time we enter the next decade. 

Topics included:

·       Climate: conservation, protecting ecosystems, solar power and the impact of climate change on our local community

·       Food: food security, healthy food access, nutrition, hydroponics, know what you eat!

·       Humanity: healthy cities, empowering girls and physical/emotional self-care, educational equity

The students partook in relevant field trips, talking with growers at the Union Square farmers’ market, taking yoga classes, recording an original climate change rap at a professional studio and comparison grocery shopping at Whole Foods and their local store.

Touring the exhibitions and hearing the students explain their work was a joy! Kudos to the teachers for sparking the kids’ creativity and learning. Students used mosaic tiles to illustrate air pollution, built a mini-house out of plastic water bottles and made a toy car go with solar panels.

So proud of our BAL Ravens!

BAL Students are All About Business

Thanks to foundation support, select BAL students participated in an intense Youth About Business Camp program.

Should Disney buy Hasbro? What about Alphabet acquiring Lyft? Students formed teams to analyze simulated M&A deals. Taught by local executives, students learned skills needed to understand complex business transactions and had a chance to hone their public speaking skills.

Volunteer executives include: accountants, attorneys, investment bankers, marketing specialists, and IT and HR specialists. Senior-level executives serve as judges and speakers.

We were fortunate to sit in on their Powerpoint presentations to judges and audience members, followed by a Q&A session where they were asked about anti-trust concerns, earnings dilution and cultural fit. Our students are on the rise.