2018 Blackboard Award Honoree: Cesar Elias Sanchez

Andrew Schwartz

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

Cesar Elias Sanchez
Grade 4, Science
KIPP: Washington Heights Middle School

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

One of my biggest joys is witnessing the growth of students’ belief in themselves
as they achieve goals and master concepts. Madeline is a student who struggled in reading and thought she wouldn’t be able to achieve the goal of reading a million words. Daily check-ins and constant communication with her family showed her that she had a whole team of teachers behind her. This support translated into Madeline surpassing her goal of a million words by the end of the year.

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

Though this year my students are out-performing the previous cohort on every major assessment and should exceed our NY State Science Test mastery proficiency of 90 percent in 2017, what I am most proud of is my work with their families in connecting them to advocacy resources. I have the opportunity to help educate our families on the importance of registering to vote and voting, link them to citizenship classes, and build connections between them and our local politicians so their voices are heard.

Cesar Elias Sanchez with publisher of New York Family John Hurley. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein.

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

My motivation and commitment is Shayden R. and others like him. He’s intelligent and charming, and he’s grown up in an environment that has told him that he must present a tough exterior at all times. Underneath is a kid who believes in supporting his teammates. When our baseball team welcomed two young ladies for the first time this year, Shayden vigorously defended them from the jeers of the opposing team. In my role as baseball coach, I am able to highlight these moments and tell him it’s okay to be vulnerable and there for others.

What do you love about your school?

I love that we are a team and a family. This idea that we work with and support each other is the foundation of the way in which we interact as a staff, with our families, and with our students. We understand that by building strong relationships and providing each other with critical feedback we will become the educators that our children deserve.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Garden School

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A coed, fully-accredited, independent school in Jackson Heights offering an excellent and affordable Nursery–Grade 12 education. Small classes allow for a personalized approach.</span></p>

Sora Schools

<p dir="ltr">Sora Schools is the virtual, private middle and high school turning today’s students into tomorrow’s change-makers. Our approach is founded on inquiry-based and interdisciplinary learning. This gives students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects, based on real-world challenges and problems. Students choose from over 400 interest-based learning experiences like “Create Your Own Civilization!,” “Food Science,” “ToMAYto ToMAHto: Intro to Language in Society,” and “Making Your Own Cell: Principles of Cellular Biology,” just to name a few.</p> <div> </div> <div>Sora families have the flexibility to learn from practically anywhere and enjoy a dynamic community. Student-life experiences include clubs, meetings with their “house,” filled with students in their geographical region, daily checkpoints with academic advisors, and fun events. Learn more about Sora, the future of school, at <a href="http://www.soraschools.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.soraschools.com&source=gmail&ust=1708530686934000&usg=AOvVaw2Nnl67LTIwlviYDWPiPYgB">www.soraschools.com</a>.</div>

Pusteblume International Preschool

<p>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.</p> <p>Visit <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&source=gmail&ust=1686317377113000&usg=AOvVaw1aULaapal3O96ad-WNvphj">www.pusteblumenyc.org</a> to learn more and schedule your personal tour.</p>