Networks for School Improvement + StoryCorps

In the winter of 2021, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation partnered with StoryCorps to help capture the authentic voices of educators who are part of the Networks for School Improvement (NSI) portfolio. Since the NSI work began in 2018, the foundation has supported over 30 organizations, impacting over 750,000 students, in an effort to help educators use an improvement approach to meet the dynamic needs of their students.

Videos

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Video 1 (High Tech High Graduate School of Education, CARPE College Access Network):

  • Jimmy Mendoza Hernandez, Student
  • Jonathan Villafuerte, Improvement Coach 
Summary:

Jimmy Mendoza Hernandez and his mentor Jonathan Villafuerte share the value of the CARPE College Access Network which aims to increase college access among students from communities of color or from low-income backgrounds.

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Video 2 (New Visions for Public Schools):

  • Jon Green, Continuous Improvement Coach
  • Kaye Houlihan, Principal
Summary:

Colleagues Jon Green and Kaye Houlihan discuss how the continuous improvement model makes room for understanding the whole child while supporting teams that are committed to the work.

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Video 3 (Connecticut Rise):

  • Jamie Meurer, Senior On-Track Coach
  • Daemond Benjamin, Senior On-Track Coach

 

Summary:

RISE network coordinators Jamie Meurer and Daemond Benjamin share their experiences working with ninth graders to help achieve their full potential and support their academic success in Hartford, CT.

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Video 4 (High Tech High Graduate School of Education, CARE Network):

  • Jean Zelt, Teacher
  • Molly Simonetti, Speech Language Pathologist
Summary:

California middle school educators Jean Zelt and Molly Simonetti reveal how the CARE network helps to shift their focus from test scores to belonging and engagement for eighth grade students of color and low income status.

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Video 5 (Texas Network for School Improvement):

  • Danielle Knox, Instructional Coach
  • Krystal Sullivan, Secondary Math Coordinator
Summary:

Texas Network for School Improvement colleagues Danielle Knox and Krystal Sullivan discuss ways that the continuous improvement model helps underrepresented students and teachers navigate the classroom in the wake of the pandemic.

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Video 6 (High Tech High Graduate School of Education, CARPE College Access Network):

  • Hortencia Armendariz, Coordinator, Family Resource Center & Student Services
  • Elizabeth Rockenbach, Student
Summary:

CARPE College Access Network member Hortencia Armendariz and her mentee Elizabeth Rockenbach reflect on their relationship throughout Elizabeth's time in school and during her college application process.

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Video 7 (High Tech High Graduate School of Education, CARE Network):

  • Adrienne Villarreal, Teacher
  • Curtis Taylor, Improvement Coach
Summary:

Educator Adrienne Villarreal shares with colleague Curtis Taylor how the CARE network provides a blueprint for student-centered practices through equity, agency, and feedback in her sixth grade math classroom.

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Video 8 (Teaching Matters Network for School Improvement):

  • Jacobē Bell, Senior Educational Consultant
  • Amber Smith, Senior Educational Consultant
Summary:

Teaching Matters Network colleagues Jacobē Bell and Amber Smith exchange their big “aha moments” in educational consulting within a community of NYC middle schools through culturally responsive practices and continuous improvement methods. 

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Video 9 (New Tech Network College Access Network):

  • Jessica Rivera, Teacher
  • Markeisha Grant, Continuous Improvement and College Access Coach
Summary:

Jessica Rivera and Markeisha Grant compare notes on how their childhood education informs their work at the New Tech Network which guides students through the college admissions process.

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Video 10 (Network for College Success):

  • Eliza Moeller, Continuous Improvement and Equity Coach
  • Nicholas Cybulski, Teacher
Summary:

Eliza Moeller and her mentee Nicholas Cybulski talk about their evolution as educators and the mindset shifts that helped them to be more effective with middle and high school students.

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