2018 Blackboard Award Honoree: Cesar Elias Sanchez

Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2018 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!

Cesar Elias Sanchez
Grade 4, Science
KIPP: Washington Heights Middle School

Tell us about some of the special joys and challenges you’ve experienced as
a teacher.

One of my biggest joys is witnessing the growth of students’ belief in themselves
as they achieve goals and master concepts. Madeline is a student who struggled in reading and thought she wouldn’t be able to achieve the goal of reading a million words. Daily check-ins and constant communication with her family showed her that she had a whole team of teachers behind her. This support translated into Madeline surpassing her goal of a million words by the end of the year.

Please share a special project or achievement that you are particularly proud of from this year.

Though this year my students are out-performing the previous cohort on every major assessment and should exceed our NY State Science Test mastery proficiency of 90 percent in 2017, what I am most proud of is my work with their families in connecting them to advocacy resources. I have the opportunity to help educate our families on the importance of registering to vote and voting, link them to citizenship classes, and build connections between them and our local politicians so their voices are heard.

Cesar Elias Sanchez with publisher of *New York Family* John Hurley. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein.

What keeps you motivated and committed to being a dedicated and hard-working educator?

My motivation and commitment is Shayden R. and others like him. He’s intelligent and charming, and he’s grown up in an environment that has told him that he must present a tough exterior at all times. Underneath is a kid who believes in supporting his teammates. When our baseball team welcomed two young ladies for the first time this year, Shayden vigorously defended them from the jeers of the opposing team. In my role as baseball coach, I am able to highlight these moments and tell him it’s okay to be vulnerable and there for others.

What do you love about your school?

I love that we are a team and a family. This idea that we work with and support each other is the foundation of the way in which we interact as a staff, with our families, and with our students. We understand that by building strong relationships and providing each other with critical feedback we will become the educators that our children deserve.

The Montessori School of New York International

At The Montessori School of New York International, children are encouraged to explore all academic dimensions&nbsp;at their own pace and interest level. This tailored approach&nbsp;helps them grow in self-esteem and independence, leading them to become well-rounded, confident citizens of the world! All classes are equipped with a full complement of didactic imported Montessori materials, that encourage the absorption of concepts while playing. Music, Foreign Language, Musical Theatre, Swimming, Dance, Yoga, Science, Art, Public Speaking and Chess are part of the program as well.&nbsp;This multi-faceted program inspires curiosity, and instills a lifelong love of learning!&nbsp;Children who attend usually do well academically, and are prepared for admission to gifted and competitive programs. A unique Summer Camp, staffed by the school&rsquo;s year-round teachers, allows children from other programs to experience a Montessori summer!

Portledge School

Portledge School is where academic excellence and emotional intelligence meet to inspire next-generation thinkers with the confidence, skills, and values to achieve in an ever-changing world. We are an inclusive community where every student has a voice, where adults model a love for learning, and where education expands beyond academics to include a full range of experiences&mdash;intellectual, artistic, athletic, social, and emotional&mdash;allowing each student to develop a sense of who they are and who they want to be.

Mott Hall Charter School

Located in the Morrisania neighborhood of the South Bronx, the Mott Hall Charter School is a middle school for grades 6, 7 and 8. In its 12 th year, Mott Hall continues to live by its motto &ldquo;RISE to the Challenge&rdquo;; and through these RISE core values - Responsibility, Integrity, Scholarship, and Excellence - scholars are taught the character skills to overcome obstacles and are introduced to these attributes from the moment they walk through the door and reinforced throughout their time at Mott Hall. The Mott Hall Charter School teaches for the 21st Century through its unique approach to learning, providing a holistic educational experience grounded in evidence-based research on how students learn best. Mott Hall accomplishes this through a whole child approach, not merely addressing content but focusing on the key elements of mind, body, character, and social emotional health. Its distinctive mission prepares scholars to succeed in top high schools, colleges, and careers, becoming inquisitive, open-minded, and compassionate citizens of the world. Mott Hall Charter School offers a rigorous academic program grounded in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. Scholars are required to take three years of foreign language, coursework in the arts, and have the opportunity for Regents level classes in mathematics and science in 8th grade. All classes integrate technology and utilize elements of the AVID College and Career Readiness program to provide scholars with the organizational, time management, and study skills they need to succeed. Mott Hall Charter School&rsquo;s programs include access to community-based organizations focused on mentoring, adult civics classes, adult ESL classes, computer science classes, engaging online platforms to increase student learning, after school and Saturday tutoring, art, music, softball, basketball, and much more! Mott Hall is now offering a 6/7 Bridge 12:1:1 self-contained classroom: 1 classroom, 12 scholars, 1 educational teacher, and 1 full-time Special Education teacher.