During one of the first Humanities lessons this year, the hands of my 7th grade historians shot into the air in response to my question: should statues honoring Confederate generals be removed from cities and towns across the U.S.? I’m always inspired by how much our scholars care about the world around them, and I’d been looking forward to this class discussion ever since summer T School, when I saw the topic on the history syllabus for middle school students.

Success Academy sent HSLA world history teacher Natasha Venner to the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Teaching Seminar at Oxford University this summer. History at Success is all about active engagement and using a rich variety of texts and techniques. The seminar was an incredible chance for her to bolster her skills and spark new ideas for the fall.

We want to ensure that every scholar feels included and in touch with their cultural background while at our schools. SA Prospect Heights launched an initiative promoting racial awareness in the classroom and among staff, and recently held two sessions focused on culturally responsive teaching.

Experience a day in the life of Daniel Santos who joined Success Academy in July 2016 as a Teacher Resident and was promoted to a Lead Teacher role within several months.

This past weekend, nine of my scholars from the Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts traveled to Philadelphia to take part in the Penn Relay Races — a track and field event that has taken place annually since 1895.

Most people don’t know this, but there are leading math educators whose celebrity status rivals Hollywood’s favorite movie stars. At least among math teachers! When Success Academy provided our high school math team with the chance to attend the annual National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference in San Antonio, Texas— essentially the Oscars of math education — we could hardly wait.

I truly believed in the importance of hands-on learning in the classroom, but I could never have expected just how revolutionary the Success Academy approach to science really is.

Discovery is the name of the game, and associate science teachers like Tracy make the most of every opportunity to engage their scholars, all while growing in their own careers through our exciting and selective Teaching Residency Program.

Tonight, more than 50 scholars will transport an audience of families and friends to “Never Never Land” for sixty minutes, as they act, sing, and dance in Peter Pan — Success Academy Williamsburg’s first-ever musical performance.

The best part of my job doesn’t take place in the classroom. It happens during the one-on-one meetings I have twice a week, with the ten scholars I’ve advised, some for the past two years.

Tomorrow evening, hundreds of Success Academy families and staff will pack into the auditorium at SA Union Square as 170 scholars go through their final stretching routines and vocal warmups backstage.

What would happen if the earth got too close to the sun? How could any living creature survive the Big Bang? Is there a way to keep your plants watered if you go on a month-long vacation?

Building a strong dance community requires a uniquely concerted effort from both teachers and scholars.

Honing scholar’s natural curiosity for the world around them is the best way for them to become great scientific thinkers.

Classes at SA Bronx 1 and SA Hell’s Kitchen got a lot bigger (and a little taller) earlier this month, when forty-five educators from as far away as Louisiana, Tennessee, Arizona, and Israel saw Success Academy’s innovative math curriculum in action in our kindergarten and first grade classrooms.

The day after the election, scholars had many questions about the future of our country.

As a theater teacher, I believe in the power of self expression and have witnessed the profound effect performance can have both as an actor and as an audience member.

On Friday, October 7, our scholars spent an entire half day composing stories in different genres, from dystopia, to romance, to thrillers.

Since the primary season began, I have thought hard about how we as educators will help students navigate this election season.

Get off to a great start this school year by following the advice of our most successful teachers.

At the end of the school year, the 85 Success Academy educators who were recognized with a 2016 Excellence Award took a moment to reflect on their most memorable moments with students.

As the saying goes, age is just a number. Just ask my K-3 scholars who recently spent an afternoon giving dance lessons to senior citizens.

Today, we recognize and celebrate 85 educators who embody every form of excellence.

I recently borrowed an idea from SA Bronx 1 Middle School Principal Britney Weinberg-Lynn and asked parents at my school to write a thank-you note to a teacher.