Why I’m excited about Danbury
I’m excited to have recently been selected as the School Management Partner for the proposed Danbury Charter School because I believe there is added value in increasing high-quality school choice options for families in any community. I have more than 25 years of experience in education, with more than 20 of those leading schools, and I firmly believe access to a high-quality education is a birthright for all children.
Currently, I serve as the executive director of Booker T. Washington Academy (BTWA), a Connecticut State Department of Education-recognized Charter School of Distinction in New Haven. BTWA serves 540 students in kindergarten through grade 8, most of whom are from underresourced and economically disadvantaged communities. Despite these obstacles, BTWA students have performed at or above state averages in reading and math each year since the school’s opening in 2014. This success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the school’s faculty and staff and their commitment to ensuring all students have access to highquality educational opportunities. This level of commitment is what we intend to bring to the families of Danbury with the opening of the Danbury Charter School. In addition to expanding educational options for students, we will also focus on innovative and culturally responsive instruction to improve overall student achievement.
Elevate, the charter management organization created to oversee the development of the proposed Danbury Charter School, is committed to building a highquality grade 6-12 school in Danbury that is diverse, engaging, and promotes a culture of equity and excellence. We have worked with the school planning team on an educational plan tailored to Danbury’s needs. We also plan to work collaboratively and comprehensively with members of the Danbury community to impact all students’ academic and wellness outcomes. Our commitment to equity and excellence includes providing ample support for English Language Learners (ELL), so they can meet the challenges of learning a new language while thriving academically.
This commitment to the Danbury community does not come without a cost. We hope to open our doors for the 2022-23 school year; however, to do so, the state must make the necessary funding available for our school in this year’s budget. The business of opening and running schools is hugely capital-intensive. A school start-up grant is essential for planning, designing, and building a high-quality school to expand opportunities for traditionally underserved students in Danbury. This necessary funding will help ensure that we create a high-performing school in a neighborhood that needs it and help catalyze broader change in the Connecticut Public School System.
I’m eager to collaborate with the Danbury Public Schools to share best practices and work in partnership for the betterment of all children in Danbury. We all have the same goal of preparing and supporting future generations to be ready to compete for opportunities in a global marketplace. I look forward to engaging in community conversations to increase my understanding of how we can positively impact the educational landscape in the City of Danbury.
Danbury’s rich diversity and overall vibrancy, which contributes to its rating as one of the most livable cities in the United States, is impressive. I have had the pleasure of visiting Danbury and have walked Rose Street and the surrounding community, the future site of the proposed school. I look forward to leading the development of this neighborhood school right in the heart of downtown Danbury. Danbury Charter School will be a neighborhood school that embodies the spirit of community, benefiting students, families, teachers, and other stakeholders while participating as a critical partner in the ongoing process of community development.
I look forward to being a part of this wonderful endeavor to bring Danbury families an additional high-quality educational option. I am also looking forward to meeting with all stakeholders and collaborating with community leaders to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. I would like to thank the Danbury community for allowing me the opportunity to work in this amazing city.