EL Education 25th Gala
On April 10th, 2018, EL Education, a leading K-12 nonprofit that is transforming schools in diverse communities across the country, hosted its 25th Anniversary Gala at the landmarked 583 Park Avenue in New York City.
Alex Tom James
EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) was launched 25 years ago when a group of educators from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward-Bound USA won the New American Schools national competition for school designs that “break the mold.” Today, the organization partners with hundreds of public schools across 35 states, reaching more than a million students across America, to help them succeed as engaged students and active citizens. EL Education's Network of Schools generates remarkable outcomes, with 100% college acceptance rate as the standard.
The event started with a cocktail hour in the lower level of the iconic venue. Guests enjoyed an exquisite open bar and savory hor d'oeuvres, such as lamb chops and pigs in a blanket. After mix and mingling, patrons were invited upstairs to the grand ball room for the start of the program and dinner.
Student Hosts - Ameerah Rollins and Elena Fulton
The pride of the program’s success – the students, were on full display. The event was hosted by EL Education graduates Elena Fulton and Ameerah Rollins. The two young ladies were natural on stage - keeping their points short and precise, while hitting all the key notes. Four extraordinary 12th grade students from WHEELS (Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School in New York) also took center stage and presented their stories on how EL changed their lives for the better. “We are EL,” was the central message in all their stories, expressing appreciation for the program that allowed them to be their best selves and lift their peers and communities, ensuring success for all.
Greg Farrell (second) and Mr. Hartl (far right)
This year, the Gala honored its Founding President Greg Farrell for his lifelong commitment to make schools more engaging, effective, and joyous. Mr. Farrell served as President and CEO of the organization from its founding until 2008, but he continues to serve on its Board of Directors. In an emotional speech, Greg thanked all the people who paved the way for the program.
Sydney Chaffee, Ameerah Rollins, Elena Fulton
The Gala program also featured remarks by National Teacher of the Year, Sydney Chaffee, a 9th grade Humanities teacher at Codman Academy Charter Public School, an EL Education school in Boston. At the heart of EL Education are their extraordinary teachers - men and women who fulfill their highest aspirations so that the students achieve more than they think is possible. EL works with teachers in all settings to build their capacity to ignite student’s motivation, persistence, and compassion so they become active contributors to building a better world and succeed in school, college, career, and life. Teachers and staff in EL schools don't just believe in the value of their approach; they verify it. Sydney echoed this message with her final words to the guests: “What our country needs right now are people who can listen with empathy, write with evidence, speak with clarity and act with conviction and love, then you believe in EL Education.”
About EL Education
For over 25 years, EL Education has been bringing to life a three-dimensional vision of student achievement that includes mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work. EL Education works with hundreds of public schools—both district and charter—across 35 states, serving over 200,000 students and 16,000 teachers. Rigorous impact studies by Mathematica Policy Research demonstrate that EL Education’s approach works: teachers significantly improve their craft and students achieve more, regardless of background.
Grounded in decades of in-depth work with educators, EL Education creates highly respected, widely distributed open educational resources, including: an acclaimed literacy curriculum that has been downloaded 8.7 million times and received the highest possible ratings from EdReports.org; the world’s largest collection of exemplary student projects; inspiring instructional videos with over 1.3 million views; hundreds of free online resources; and best-selling education books.
For information on EL Education or to donate, go to https://eleducation.org/join-the-movement/donate
Photos Courtesy of El Museo del Barrio
