Latest news with #FutureReadyNYC
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brooklyn International H.S. nurtures students considering teaching careers
Field trips to Alicia Keys' Broadway show and the Jewish Museum, followed by writing assignments. A 1,500-word essay on any education topic. A 10th-grade seminar where students learn about different career paths in the education sector. At Brooklyn International High School in downtown Brooklyn, public school students from 32 different countries are exploring careers in education, as New York City embarks on a hiring blitz to meet a growing demand for teachers — whether to meet the needs of shifting student demographics or a new requirement to lower class sizes. Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos suggested she had been thinking about the issue since she led the school system's efforts to take in migrant students. 'I was relentless in saying that, as we welcomed thousands of migrant children into our school system, that we needed to be innovative with our approach to building the bilingual teacher pipeline,' she said during a school visit Tuesday with CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez. 'And there's no better place to do that than in our international schools.' Brooklyn International is one of 22 public schools offering an education career program through FutureReadyNYC, a signature initiative of the Adams administration, education officials said. Students earn college credits and job credentials, and participate in paid internships. In total, there are 135 schools in FutureReady citywide focused on health care, technology and other career paths — with plans for an expansion this fall. The career track in education is particularly timely. Independent budget analysts predict New York City will need to hire 17,000 new teachers to comply with the state law to lower class sizes. By fall 2028, classrooms will be capped between 20 and 25 students, depending on grade level. 'So many of them want to become teachers,' the chancellor's first deputy, Dan Weisberg, said of high school students. 'It's a job they see and, for many of them, they love. The FutureReady education pathway is definitely a major piece of the puzzle of how we open up our talent pipeline, for sure.' 'We don't know yet how many more will have ed[ucation] pathways for the next cohort, but it was a significant number that applied to have education pathways.' About 100 Brooklyn International students are on the education career track, according to Megan Minturn, the school's FutureReady coordinator. Another 50 students are expected to join the program this fall when the school launches its second career track in human and social services — focused on jobs such as being a social worker or counselor. Citywide, about 15,000 students are participating in FutureReady. Luis Ruiz, 27, is a graduate of Brooklyn International who participated in College Now, another partnership between the city's public schools and the City University of New York. Just a couple of weeks away from earning his master's degree in teaching English as a second language, he is back at his alma mater mentoring students like him who immigrated from South America to the United States. Ruiz, who is originally from Guatemala, said many of his students are from Ecuador and Venezuela: 'I feel like I can connect with them because I was once in their shoes.' More than 62% of Brooklyn International students speak Spanish as a home language, according to school data. Amy, a Brooklyn International student who is from Senegal, said she had been stressed over career decisions after high school, but her 10th-grade seminar helped her choose what she may want to do in the future. For now, her plan is to become a social worker. 'Because I love helping,' she said. 'I came here three years ago, and I feel connected when I help immigrants.'
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Leading change makers and industry experts join The Possible Zone Board of Directors
BOSTON, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Possible Zone (TPZ), an innovative, hands-on entrepreneurship program where young people in Boston prepare for life-long learning and careers of the future, is proud to announce four leading change makers and experts in their industries have joined its Board of Directors: Brian Aquart, Esq., Vice President, Workforce & Community Education at Northwell Health's Center for Learning & Innovation; Kyle Hartung, Ed.D., Associate Vice President in Jobs for the Future's (JFF) Education Practice; J.D. LaRock, J.D., Ed.D., President & CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE); and Peter Prodromou, Founder and CEO of global marketing, communications and digital services companies. 'Here at The Possible Zone, we've redefined learning experiences for young people, with our unique competency-based experiential program that enables self-development, skill building, and college and career exploration,' said Becky Levin, TPZ Executive Director and Co-founder. 'I'm grateful to Brian, Kyle, J.D., and Peter for their commitment to our mission and for generously sharing their invaluable insights and influence. We are well positioned, with their contributions to our leadership and governance, to expand our reach and strengthen our impact as we continue to provide innovative educational opportunities and pathways to careers of the future.' Hundreds of high school students each year, and a cohort of young adult associates immersed in early career exploration, thrive as they develop entrepreneurial spirit, build 21st Century skills, and explore changing STEAM technologies in TPZ's state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Boston. The four new Board Directors are helping to deepen the organization's strategy, thought leadership, and networks with education, industry, and policy partners across the country. Brian Aquart, Esq., is the Vice President, Workforce & Community Education, at Northwell Health in the Center for Learning & Innovation, where he leads Northwell's relationship with NYC Public Schools to create pathways to economic success for underserved communities through initiatives such as the Northwell School of Health Sciences and FutureReadyNYC. He also leads the MedVoyage program, which provides immersive healthcare experiences to students in Long Island. A passionate advocate for advancing learning, innovation and workforce development, he fosters partnerships with organizations like NYC Public Schools and Bloomberg Philanthropies, to redefine healthcare education. Brian is also the host of Why I Left, a podcast that explores personal stories of career transitions and the evolving world of work. With a background in law, strategy, and education, he is dedicated to driving positive change for a better tomorrow. Over the last 25 years, Kyle Hartung, Ed.D., has worked as a teacher, leader, consultant, and researcher in public K–12 systems and higher-education settings. He currently serves as an associate vice president in Jobs for the Future's (JFF) Education Practice where he leads strategy and initiatives, including the Pathways to Prosperity Network, with federal, state, and regional leaders and organizations to design, strengthen, and scale equitable solutions that reimagine the ways in which people experience and move through education and workforce development systems. He is a co-author of The Big Blur and a regular participant in the ongoing conversation about equity, education, and the future of work in the media and at events around the country. Prior to joining JFF, Kyle worked as a researcher with Learning Innovations Laboratory (LILa) at Harvard's Project Zero, with Envision Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, and at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in the Bronx, NY, where he began his career as a teacher. J.D. LaRock, J.D., Ed.D., is the President & CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a global nonprofit organization that provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school, and young adult students from under-resourced communities. Previously, J.D. was the President and CEO of the Commonwealth Corporation, Massachusetts' state authority for workforce development; a member of Northeastern University's senior leadership team; and an education policymaker at the federal and state levels. At Commonwealth Corporation, J.D led the $55 million organization to advance Massachusetts' economic leadership through signature partnerships with employers, employees, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. Additionally, J.D. chaired Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's Commission on Digital Innovation and Lifelong Learning and was a member of the Aspen Institute's Job Quality Fellowship Class of 2017-18. As Senior Education Advisor to the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, J.D. helped lead the 2008 reauthorization of the federal Higher Education Act and the 2007 passage of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Peter Prodromou is a global leader, seasoned CEO, board member, practitioner, and strategist, and is currently Chief Marketing Officer of Arch and Paintzen. Part of the founding team of Racepoint Group, he went on to serve as global president and CEO of Racepoint Global, a merger of Racepoint Group and Digital Influence Group; he later served as CEO of Boston Digital and as a founder at Boathouse Group. Peter has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, and liquidity events, and he has advised founders and CEOs seeking liquidity, capital, and market expansion strategies. An expert on the implications of reputation, issues management, public policy and social responsibility, he has advised elected officials and candidates on policy and communications initiatives, and brings extensive for-profit and nonprofit board experience. Peter's clients have included AT&T, Huawei, Samsung, IBM, Kaiser Permanente, Dassault Systemes, ARM, Panasonic, John Deere, Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Rwanda, Carrier Corporation, and Project Liberty. Reinforced by a network of key educational and industry partners in a supportive ecosystem, bolstered by work-based learning opportunities, and guided by The Possible Zone's college and career advisors, TPZ students become equipped and ready to shape their futures and pursue innovative careers. The TPZ team is committed to helping students find their passions; cultivate essential skills, mindsets, and assets; and shape their futures so that they can experience upward economic mobility in their chosen paths. Learn more at
