Feb 3, 2022Let’s Aim for Depth this Black History MonthRobyn G. Phillips, Urban Assembly Deputy Director of Postsecondary Access (Originally written February 2020) In graduate school, I studied racial identity theory, and while conducting a study with Black football players, I asked what they learned about Black history. After a long pause, they said, “We learn that we were…Education2 min readEducation2 min read
Dec 8, 2021An Open Letter from Urban Assembly StudentsAfsana Islam, Ineiry Pena, Aliyah Nesbitt, Samara Cotto, Meagan Zullo, Daysha Williams, Blessing Ojo, and Emily Payamps “21 Students Bring Weapons to School to Protect Themselves From Danger Outside of School That City Fails to Address.” There, New York Post, we fixed the title for you. The “gun bust” that…7 min read7 min read
Jul 26, 2021How Educators Can Best Support Exceptional Learners #ADA31An Interview with Fabiola Quiñones, Urban Assembly Special Populations Manager To highlight the 31st anniversary of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), we sat down with Fabiola Quinones, the Urban Assembly’s Special Populations Program Manager, to hear her insight on how we as educators can best support special learners. Thirty-one years…5 min read5 min read
Jun 29, 2021A Special Thank You to Urban Assembly StaffVinnie Hurst, Urban Assembly Climate Culture & Community Program Manager To all of our school support staff, teachers, college and guidance counselors, and to our 23 Amazing Principals — thank you! In 2020–21, UA schools served almost 9,000 students across New York City. You all are amazing. Despite the numerous…Education2 min readEducation2 min read
Apr 26, 2021Algebra is Key to Closing Academic and Opportunity GapsA Call to Push Algebra Completion for Eighth Graders Rodolpho Loureiro, Urban Assembly Math Program Manager Twenty years ago, a guidance counselor attempted to make a decision that would have had a major effect on my academic and professional trajectory due to her own biases. I had just completed sixth…Éducation4 min readÉducation4 min read
Feb 26, 2021Intern Spotlight: Overcoming Adversity through Resilience & Career ReadinessArmando Herreros, Student at Queens College CUNY & Urban Assembly Intern My name is Armando Herreros and I am an undergraduate at Queens College CUNY. I am currently interning at the UA with the Academics and Data team. This Career Month, I’ve been reflecting upon the academic and professional progress…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Feb 9, 2021What January 6, 2021 Teaches Us: Culturally Responsive Teaching and Diversity are Needed in SchoolsFabiola Quiñones, Urban Assembly Special Populations Program Manager Wednesday, January 6, 2021 is a day that will live in infamy; the day in which insurrectionists attempted a coup at the US Capitol to stop a democratic and constitutional election. The events that transpired came as a surprise for many, but…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Jan 15, 2021Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the Power of Protest, and the Need for Culturally Relevant EducationDuane Wardally, Director of Academics at the Urban Assembly Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our American hero, a beacon of light who carried the values of equity and inclusion in his every footstep, is often limited to a well wrought box. While we acknowledge MLK in symbol, does his legacy…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Dec 8, 2020Schools Need More, Not Less, SupportAlexis Goldberg, Urban Assembly Managing Director of School Support Right now, local and federal budgets are facing shortfalls and New York City schools are feeling the impact of economic constraints. With limited budgets, schools face staffing challenges that are devastating in a moment when more resources are critical, not less…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Dec 3, 2020The Education of JoyStephanie Fiorelli, Urban Assembly Deputy Director of Alumni Success Say what you will about silly TikToks and trivial selfies but you’ve got to give it to them: Gen Z seeks out joy. It’s time we learn from them. I’ll be the first to say that our public schools in NYC…Texting3 min readTexting3 min read
