How Catalyst helped South Bronx, NYC Science Teacher Sherry Tom get students back into (virtual) science class

If you’re a parent or teacher, you’re probably familiar with the many challenges of remote learning. Sherry Tom, earth science teacher at Hostos Lincoln Academy of Science in Bronx, NY, is both, doing her best to support her students while sharing a workspace with her husband and two elementary school kids. “At school, my kids are led from one activity to the next. When learning from home, they’re expected to navigate Google Classroom on their own because I’m working and their dad is working.”

Catalyst, New YorkJoanne YunNovember 23, 2020Remote Learning

Teaching beyond barriers: Google continues their commitment

When Google closed its offices due to COVID-19 a week before NYC public schools did, our Google Citizen Teachers didn’t hesitate to think of ways to continue apprenticeships virtually. “It wasn’t an option to not make this work. This is a commitment we made to students and we don’t want to let them down,” says Jackie Zopf, Music Operations Program manager, YouTube. “We’re connecting globally every day—this is normal for Google and we’re fortunate to be well-resourced.”

New YorkJoanne YunApril 22, 2020COVID-19, Google, apprenticeships, Citizen Teachers, PS 157

Ensuring equity & access

The day after NYC public schools closed their doors, Principal Kourtney Boyd asked if the Citizen Schools New York (CSNY) team at P.S. 157 could help by calling parents and putting together a list of students’ tech needs at home. Campus Director Jay Torres was ready to deliver—at that very moment. She and her team of AmeriCorps Teaching Fellows had collected this information from the beginning of the school year, having prioritized parent involvement as an important driver of student engagement—“this is the core” says Teaching Fellow Brenda Amaya.

New YorkJoanne YunApril 22, 2020COVID-19, PS 157, Teaching Fellows

How CSNY is providing Remote Learning support to students, parents, and teachers

After Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced all New York City schools will move to a Remote Learning Model until April, CSNY campus teams at Renaissance School of the Arts and Benjamin Franklin Health Science Academy teamed up with school leaders and teachers on the distribution of computer devices to students and ensuring families are equipped with the necessary knowledge to operate academic sites and gain access to learning materials.

New YorkChernor SesayMarch 30, 2020CSNY, Teaching Fellow, COVID-19

Honoring Dr. King

January 20, 2020 marked the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Day of Service: a day that celebrates Dr. King’s life and legacy of truth to power and inspiring individuals to work for racial justice and social change. This year, Citizen Schools joined forces with UJA Federation of New York and NYC Repair The World. UJA Federation effectively provides resources and urgent relief when an emergency or disaster strikes. Repair the World Harlem strives towards mobilizing volunteering and building partnerships with local organizations to help support the Harlem community.

Celebrating Our Students: December 2019 WOW! Week Recap

WOW! Week is a celebration of our students’ hard work from their apprenticeships. Over 10 weeks students are transformed into website designers, lawyers, and financial advisers, learning how their current academics apply to a future pathway. During this celebration, communities of family, friends, and volunteers gathered to view our students’ talents and skills through interactive presentations.

Students get a Backstage Pass to music production.

Giovanni Green has taught 12 Apprenticeships across Renaissance Academy, Urban Assembly, and Isaac Newton Middle School, finally reaching the “cool” factor that makes students stop to talk to him in the hallways—even if they’re not one of his students. It’s no wonder his Backstage Pass Apprenticeship is one of the most popular. Students write the lyrics, lay down the beats, finish an original song, and get to visit a real music studio.

Spotlight on our Teaching Fellow: Elisha Glass

Elisha Glass is an AmeriCorp Alumni and first year Teaching Fellow at Renaissance School of the Arts. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Business and Economics at Ohio State University. Shortly after graduating, Elisha moved to New York City, where he first committed to service in 2016. With this newfound ambition for service, Elisha wishes to dismantle systems of oppression through education and creative strategies individuals can apply towards their everyday lives.

New York, CS Employee SpotlightChernor SesayNovember 18, 2019CSNY, Elisha Glass, renaissance school of the arts

Meet Director of Corporate Engagement, Sierra Bush

This fall, Citizen Schools New York welcomed a new staff member to our team. Sierra Bush, Director of Corporate Engagement, drives corporate partnership and business development, diversifying the corporate apprenticeship experience for students while securing new corporate funding opportunities.

New York, CS Employee SpotlightChernor SesayNovember 18, 2019CSNY, Sierra Bush

Apprenticeship in Action: Columbia Neuroscience

The human brain has never been more fun for our sixth and seventh graders at Renaissance School of Arts (RSA)! Every week, Columbia University volunteers introduce students to the scientific study of brain anatomy. Our RSA kids explore matters related to memory and emotions, brain disorders and injuries. Students are very active and are constantly at the edge of their seat every Monday afternoon, anticipating their next lesson.

New YorkChernor SesayNovember 18, 2019apprenticeship, Columbia University, renaissance school of the arts, CSNY

Meet Citizen Teacher Matt Collier

Eight months ago, first time Citizen Teacher Matt Collier moved from the United Kingdom, where he worked with an education-focused volunteer program. Here in the U.S., Matt feeds his passion to make a difference in two ways: first, as a Citizen Teacher at the Renaissance School Of The Arts, where he teaches Math Mysteries and second, as a part of a company that collects and refactors old computers, donating them to schools and families lacking technical resources.

New YorkChernor SesaySeptember 26, 2019CSNY, renaissance school of the arts, Matt Collier

Teaching Fellow Spotlight: Karen Abraham

Karen Abraham is a graduate of Mercy College and a Brooklyn native dedicated to the creative expression of students. With a deep interest in hip-hop education, Karen uses it as a way to promote literacy and creativity.

Citizen Schools New York Launches Expanded Learning Time Programs for 2019-20 School Year

After weeks of intensive preparation, including Summer Institute and campus-based training, Citizen Schools New York welcomed more than 300 students during our Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Launch Week. Across two campuses, Renaissance School Of The Arts M.S. 377 and P.S. 157 Benjamin Franklin, excited faces filled our classrooms with anticipation. Teaching Fellows eased into their roles with all the necessary tools and energy needed to support our students. With over 20 apprenticeships such as Hydroponics, Google Girls in Charge, Capital One Coding Academy and Math Mysteries, the New York region is ready to introduce students to fascinating companies, helping them gain real world skills and broaden their horizons.

New YorkChernor SesaySeptember 26, 2019expanded learning time, CSNY, renaissance school of the arts

Passion and Purpose celebrated at Citizen Schools New York WOW!NOW

On Tuesday, June 11th, Citizen Schools New York hosted our first annual WOW!NOW breakfast event. We invited all of the friends and families of Citizen Schools, including our corporate and foundation partners, our AmeriCorps Teaching Fellows and other staff members, our students and their family members, and our wonderful Citizen Teachers. The event included a showcase of our students’ great work from their semester-long apprenticeships, as well as a seated breakfast and program, during which we heard from some key members of the CS community.

New YorkGrace LeeJune 27, 2019WOW!NOW, Student Success, fundraising

Fun and Games with Morgan Stanley

As the school year comes to a close, our students at Citizen Schools New York are beginning to look towards the future. On June 19th, a group of Morgan Stanley volunteers visited our 6th and 7th grade students at Renaissance School of the Arts to provide advice and guidance through the Game of Life: Middle School Edition.

Celebrating our AmeriCorps Service Members

At a special event on Friday, June 14th, Citizen Schools New York celebrated the powerful service of our AmeriCorps service members. The evening was filled with reflections and recognition of those who set the bar high. We are filled with gratitude for all that our Teaching Fellows have achieved at their time at Citizen Schools. Thank you for your service!

Celebrating Our Students: May 2019 WOW! Week Recap

At the end of each semester, we look forward to WOW! Week, a celebration of our students’ hard work from their apprenticeships. During this celebration, communities of family, friends, and volunteers gathered to view our students’ talents and skills through interactive presentations. Each of our four New York campuses held themed showcases to celebrate these accomplishments.

New YorkMaria Perez CortezJune 4, 2019WOW!, New York, apprenticeships, Spring Semester

A Celebration of Youth, Community & Culture

A celebration, of youth, community, and culture, brought together educators and volunteers on Thursday, May 23, to applaud students who had completed 10-week apprenticeships, all thanks to Citizen Schools, a non-profit that partners with middle schools across the United States to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities.

New York, Media CoverageGuest UserMay 29, 2019WOW!, community

Partnership Guest Week at Citizen Schools New York

At Citizen Schools, we envision a world in which schools, companies, and families partner to provide students with real-world learning experiences that put them on a path to college and career success. We are thankful for our growing group of service-minded volunteer partners who are passionate about closing the opportunity gap. Fostering relationships with non-profits and universities allows Citizen Schools to provide our students with a diverse group of caring and supportive mentors. This year for the first time, Citizen Schools New York hosted a Partnership Guest Week in late April.

New YorkMaria Perez CortezMay 17, 2019citizen schools, volunteer, Guest Week

AmeriCorps Member Spotlight: Kenya Brown

At Citizen Schools, no role is more essential to the success of our students than that of the AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow. Citizen Schools National Teaching Fellows create extraordinary enrichment and academic support experiences for the students we serve the nation. On a daily basis, Fellows deepen connections between schools and parents, help to develop social-emotional skills through mentoring and coaching students, and facilitate hands-on learning opportunities through our apprenticeships

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