Editor’s note: To read a long-form story with profiles of all 15 2014-2015 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!
PS 126 – MANHATTAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
PRINCIPAL: JACQUI GETZ
PK-8
80 Catherine Street
ps126mat.com
AWARD: OUTSTANDING GRADE SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL
Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.
Within a nurturing, safe environment, PS126/MAT staff members actively engage all students in the learning process and teach students to become critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and life-long learners. Our theory of action is centered on creating a school where teachers feel free to take risks, share student work, and open up their practice. We use the phrase: “Assign work that matters,” as we design units of study with the belief that cognitive challenges can be met by all students given appropriate supports.
Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.
Our community embraces diversity, and our families and children build relationships that are strong, deep, and caring. Our project-based social studies work in grades pre-K-8 has changed our academic landscape completely. Our students are being challenged and engaged through curricula that includes deep research, problem solving, purposeful writing, focused reading, and response through art, drama, and music.
What’s new?
The staff is working very hard and with great collaboration to design CCSS aligned Social Studies units of study. From the in-depth study of apples in Kindergarten, through the remarkable and sophisticated study of urban parks in second grade, and ending with an unbelievable 8th grade study of the Lower East Side—our school has been remaking itself academically… Our MAT staff hosted the staff of the Smiodden School for two days. The teachers from Norway prepared presentations of current units they taught. Our staff advised them in three areas: Differentiation, Assessment, The Why (Purpose) of the Study, and Close Reading opportunities. We also presented our units of study and then hosted the teachers in the classrooms to observe instruction. Bad Bunnies, a kids’ rock-and-roll band and chorus, is an example of the creativity and devotion of our teachers… The 50 students write and perform songs! The teacher in charge has a friend who is a musician and volunteers to compose the music with the students.
What do you love about your school?
Where do I start? If I start with the staff, I must explain how hard they work, how much they respect and love children, how collaborative and intelligent they are as they design curriculum. I must brag about the time they give on their own at lunch and afterschool to support struggling learners. I must brag about how they create a safe and caring environment—how we are a family. If I start with the children, I must explain how resilient and determined they are to learn and to achieve… I must brag about how they blend together in a diverse and beautiful community. If I start with families, I must explain how they come together in easy and hard times to support our school and children and staff… This is a remarkable school and I am lucky.
