2018 Blackboard Award Honoree: Jeffrey Bradley

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

Jeffrey Bradley
Early Childhood
ABC Merricat’s Castle School

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

For me, morning arrival is one of my greatest joys. The magic transition of trust begins when the parents hand off their kids to us and we assure them that we are ready with our ears for listening and our hands for greeting, hugging, and high-fiving. My challenge every year is to create new and exciting themes that all of our students can feel a part of. Using music to bring it all together has given me teaching experiences that I will
cherish forever.

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

Every December we have a holiday concert that I am privileged to direct. I do not play guitar or piano, and I do not use any instruments! It is just my voice, some classic Greg & Steve and Raffi songs, and the pure beautiful voices of children. If you could imagine a stage of preschool children singing their little hearts out in front of the parents, it is quite a memorable experience.

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

There is really only one answer: The kids, of course! Every day is full of helping, learning, and solving problems together. There’s no better place to be than in a school working with children, sharing their daily laughter and smiles, and discoveries and growth. Their honesty, natural curiosity, and love for learning keep me motivated and committed to being their teacher and friend.

Jeffrey Bradley with Wendy Federico (left), an educational consultant and special needs adviser and advocate at Smart City Kids, and Jonathan Moore (right), president of Family Media. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein.

What do you love about your school?

I love the relationships with students that I have developed during my 35 years as a Rainbow Room teacher. I also love the nurturing environment that is evident in all the classrooms, and the opportunity to be part of a team focused exclusively on making each day the best it can be for our students. I love that I have the chance to wear many hats during the day. At times, I’m reading with the 2-year-olds at early drop-off, then I’m leading marching band, and then also in the kitchen making potato latkes for Hanukkah!

Pusteblume International Preschool

Pusteblume is a licensed, non-profit, independent preschool for children ages 2-5 with German and Spanish language immersion. Our school also offers after-school and enrichment programs for school-age children that are open to students from other schools. The Pusteblume curriculum is built around inquiry and exploration in the classroom, the school community and the vibrant city that surrounds us. Our licensed, native -speaking faculty teaches language,visual arts, music, movement, literacy, science and mathematical concepts in a fun and warm learning environment that cultivates the growth and development of your child. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://click.mlsend2.com/link/c/YT0yMjAxMDM4Nzc2NTk4MjY5NTAwJmM9bjF5MSZlPTUzODc5MDY0JmI9MTEyNzI4MTY4MSZkPXc2djZjMXA=.6rAm8l9Frk9fzx3Z7i9E4v0syAMI5uWZYYFfbgyOgpA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://click.mlsend2.com/link/c/YT0yMjAxMDM4Nzc2NTk4MjY5NTAwJmM9bjF5MSZlPTUzODc5MDY0JmI9MTEyNzI4MTY4MSZkPXc2djZjMXA%3D.6rAm8l9Frk9fzx3Z7i9E4v0syAMI5uWZYYFfbgyOgpA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1686317377113000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1aULaapal3O96ad-WNvphj">www.pusteblumenyc.org</a>&nbsp;to learn more and schedule your personal tour.

Franklin School

Franklin School is a visionary new high school where students have the freedom to chart their own course through an innovative curriculum where academic excellence meets real-world readiness.&nbsp;Franklin&rsquo;s innovative hands-on curriculum empowers students to pursue their passions and have agency over their futures. In addition to a rigorous core curriculum, students can choose from a wide range of AP and elective classes, as well as micro-courses taught by industry leaders. Franklin emphasizes applied learning &mdash; learning by doing both within and beyond the classroom. Much of what students &ldquo;do&rdquo; will be driven by their own interests and where they want to go on their educational journey. Franklin&rsquo;s makerspace houses design and technology courses and serves as an inspiring hub where students can apply their learning and innovate. It&rsquo;s also home to the School&rsquo;s incubator &mdash; Franklin Student Ventures &mdash; where students can bring their ideas for new businesses and nonprofits to fruition. During that process, they gain entrepreneurial skills, which are invaluable as technology and the working world continue to change at a furious pace. A Franklin four-year journey also includes built-in academic support, skills curriculum, and communication training; built-in SAT/ACT prep; expert college counseling; access to state-of-the-art athletic facilities; personalized internships; and more. Attend an open house to learn more &mdash; register <a style="color: #35a3bf; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-line: none; font-size: 16px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" href="https://www.franklinjc.org/admissions/visit-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.franklinjc.org/admissions/visit-us&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1697321264007000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0asz8yqoO78UnweqRMdq3A"><span style="font-size: 1.1rem; font-family: 'Brown Light', sans-serif; color: #0563c1; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;

Sylvan Learning Center

We know how hard you're working to help get your child's skills and grades up. If you aren't seeing a difference, turn to Sylvan. They can help you get beyond the symptoms and find out what's really going on. Sylvan offers support in reading, writing, math, and SAT Prep. Their assessments pinpoint exactly where to focus to make the biggest difference and their teachers are experts in today's teaching methods. They can guide your child through his or her own learning plan, so you see a change quickly. You aren't in this alone! Sylvan is here for you. Call them today. Your Child Is Unique. With Sylvan, You&rsquo;ll Get Personalized Tutoring to Match.&nbsp; If you&rsquo;re like most Sylvan families, you don&rsquo;t believe that education should be &ldquo;one size fits all.&rdquo; You want learning to be personalized to your child&rsquo;s talents and needs. At Sylvan, it is. You&rsquo;ll find the right program for exactly where your child is in the educational journey &mdash; whether you want help catching up, honing skills, taking on advanced classes or getting ready for big college dreams. At Sylvan Learning of Mineola, they&rsquo;re focused on building academic confidence, igniting intellectual curiosity, and inspiring a love for learning &ndash; all of which make a big impact in school and in life.&nbsp; This school year, you don&rsquo;t have to go it alone. Getting tutoring support from Sylvan&rsquo;s education experts can help immensely! Think: Less pressure on you, less frustration at home and more success in school! Their caring teachers are experts at encouraging and motivating kids to learn, grow and flourish. They&rsquo;ll help your child not only grasp tough concepts, but also improve self-esteem and spark a desire and eagerness to learn.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;