A few weeks ago, one of my fifth grade students asked a simple question that challenged me to think differently about my own pedagogy and powerfully illustrated the value of the Common Core’s commitment to a deeper, conceptual understanding of mathematics.

Our Project Based Learning unit about the history of the New York City subway system brought us to Grand Central. The scholars had studied how the subway system was conceived in the late 19th century as an extension of the railroads that still travel in and out of Grand Central every day; they had learned about the subsequent technological and structural developments that propelled the subway system forward to meet the needs of a growing city.

It is fair to say that I am in love with my son’s teacher, Ms. Muller.

Because Success Academy offers science five days a week, our scholars explore science in amazing depth and develop a breadth of foundational science knowledge. We present challenges and encourage them to make discoveries using a curriculum that builds on their natural curiosity and eagerness to understand how the world works.

This Friday and Saturday, 22 scholars from Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts will perform in the school’s musical production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! It’s a show that follows a nervous new teacher on his first day with students.

Ms. Roth is a great teacher with a special gift for children. We are so happy to appreciate her this week.

While this week is Teacher Appreciation Week, in my mind, every day is teacher appreciation day.

At Success Academy, we have high expectations, even for children who require different kinds of support or approaches to learning.

Success is upfront about their unwavering commitment to excellence and setting a high bar for all involved, but what I found to be most staggering was the profound support offered to teachers to meet the demands of the day.

When I started at Success Academy, I quickly realized that the traits that make an actor great – preparation, quick thinking, the ability to accept feedback – are the same qualities that make a teacher successful in the classroom.

Recently, a team of five SA Harlem East scholars who took my entrepreneurship class faced a panel of “potential investors” and presented their product…

Twenty-five middle school musical theater scholars from SA Harlem North West and SA Harlem North Central have been busy preparing to perform Charlie Brown, Success Academy’s first-ever middle school musical!

Earlier this month, almost 100 chess queens from 20 Success Academy schools made their best move yet!

On March 4, we have an opportunity to send a message to the entire country that all students deserve better. We have an opportunity to defend what we know is possible and to show others what is possible.

Are you a principal looking for a New Year’s resolution that will improve teaching and learning in your school? Make 2015 the year of real-time coaching!

I’m not a typical classroom teacher, but what I teach students is no less valuable than the math and science they learn every day…

When the couples were called to the dance floor, my fourth-graders took their places, locking hands and eyes with their partners, and waited for the music to play…

What made this year special for our Success Academy family? Find out here!

How could I forget the smile of the scholar who was only six years old when he entered my second-grade classroom last year?

What does it look like when the quality of a scholar’s mathematics work is truly excellent?

In case you missed it… we’ve rounded up some Success Academy November highlights!

In the fight for educational equality, Success Academy is doing something transformative…

When the invitation to run the marathon with my Success Academy colleagues popped up in my inbox last spring I was skeptical.

“In-the-moment” coaching is a hallmark of instructional leadership at Success Academy, and I have seen it work wonders for teaching and learning.