Elementary Hub Group

Presenting the Boston Public Schools


FCOC Elementary Hub Team:


Deandra Williams at the E. Greenwood School-617-635-8665

Number of years as FCOC: 3 and 1/2 years

What Brought You To The Family / Community Engagement Work?
Since I was in high school, I have been interested in improving communities through education. I believe in order for anyone to meet their goals, he/she have to be knowledgeable- academically, politically, etc. 

What Part Of The Work Has Brought Excitement and Accomplishment?
What I am most excited about is my ability to get families engaged through quality student programs, partnerships, and an academic based program which informs our families show to support and motivate our students at home. Outside of our school-based partnerships (City Year, YMCA, and Harvard), I have successfully partnered with 47 organizations and community leaders to help educate and motivate our students and families. My first year at EGLA, I organized and planned Gov. Deval Patrick visit, as well City Councilor Rob Consalvo, President of City Council Stephen Murphy, City Councilor Tito Jackson, Rep. Angelo Scaccia, among other public officials. In addition, we partners with Boston Celtics, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Y Achievers, Eastern Massachusetts Urban League, etc. Finally, I lead community service events- raising awareness about youth cancer, hunger, and proving support for EGLA's families.        
All of these activities, along with MCAS series, Math and ELA Nights, has improved the school's culture and supported families. Because of that, I am happy. I have families who no longer attend EGLA, ask me about different opportunities.



Denise Rosa at the Haley School-617-635-8169

Years in the Position: From August 2008 - Present

What Brought you To The Family/Community Engagement Work:
I was a former Home Visitor for the Healthy Families Program and also worked for the Children's Trust Fund. I had done a lot of work with families that was focused on the strength based. My children attended the Haley and I became very active in meetings and trying to engage other families.

What part of the work has brought excitement and accomplishment:
What makes me excited is all the wonderful relationships that I have been able to build with our families. Their level of trust is incomparable and thus helps me recruit them to take leadership roles in our school community. One of the things that I always highlight is our Outreach Committee team, which exemplifies this.  



Janet Iraola at the Hennigan School-617-635-8264


Years In The Position - 7 years
What Brought You (background) To The Family / Community Engagement Work - As a parent in the Boston Public School I am always an involved parent.  I've been part of School Parent Councils and School Site Councils.  I think it is so important for parents to be involved in their child's education in any way they can.  At the Hennigan we have parents who come from all over the world and need guidance in navigating Boston not just the school system.  It is positions like FCOC and others like it that help these families.  My past experience in working as a Resource Coordinator for The Home for Little Wanderers helped me learn about all the resources Boston has to offer.  Boston is truly full of resources but they are hidden to many.  Schools are the first places families look for guidance and support.
What Part Of The Work Has Brought Excitement and Accomplishment - Helping families connect to resources and building long term relationships.  The families I work with are amazing.  I care deeply for them and work hard to help them find what they need.  I truly love it when a parent steps out of their comfort zone after taking one of my classes and continues to move forward.  It makes me proud.  This is why I do and love the work that I do.


Michael Sanders at the Holland School-617-635-8832

9 YEARS OF SERVICE
Michael Sanders, also known as “Big Mike” was born and raised in Boston, MA. 
To pursue his mission to change the odds for young people, Mike worked with Boston teens at the Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) for 5 years. Mike has always gone the extra mile for children and adolescents. Mike has never turned away any child for any reason.  He has gone to their homes, the streets and the court to provide a positive support for them and their families.  His strategy to share his true-life experience with teens and adolescents has won him much respect and admiration in the community.  
Mike uses a specialized real-life curriculum to help teens develop conflict resolution skills, problem solving, and decision-making skills, and to build self-confidence, and the attitude necessary for future success. 
Mike is currently employed by the BPS at John P. Holland School as a Family & Community Outreach Coordinator (FCOC). His role is to develop school-based family engagement systems and activities to support teaching, learning and student achievement.



Ana Contreras at the J.F. Kennedy School-617-635-8127
Ana Contreras
John F. Kennedy School
This is my 4th year in this position
I have worked with in the community for many years but my goal was to work as a family liaison in a public school because my passion has always been to support education and reach out to families. I believe every person has the capacity to contribute to others.

Seeing the expressions on families faces when they have accomplished a goal.

Evelyn Correa at the Perkins School-617-635-8601
Have been an FCOC since July 2007. (6 years and 6 months)

I was always involved in my children's education. I would volunteer in their classrooms and in their schools. I was part of the Parent Council & School Site Council. I knew that if I wanted my children to be successful in school, I had to be involved and engaged. I attended the very first Summer Institute with the FCOC that was at my son's school and from there on, my passion for Family Engagement grew even more.
For me, being able to provide parents, students or families with the resources that actually work is really rewarding. I enjoy getting feedback from parents telling me that an agency that I referred them to was exactly what they needed and they were helpful.
One of the most cherished moments would be watching some of the parents graduate from Parent U. Watching them get on stage and get their diploma is truly amazing. It's like watching my own children graduate.
Also, when I am able to get things (donations) for my students and I can give it to them. Watching them put it on, their smiles are "Priceless". We have received knitted hats, back packs, jackets, sneakers, pencils, ice cream and a few other items.
Learning....I am always reading and looking for ways to improve myself and my work. I always attend any Professional Development that is required and any that might be suggested because I always learn something new.



Carmen Rodriguez at the Russell School-617-635-8803

I have had the pleasure of working as a Family Community Outreach Coordinator for 6 years.
I became very involved in family advocacy as I worked as a one to one para for a special needs student.  I  quickly became the liaison between the home and school.  Not only did I build a relationship with the family of my student but with the families of the entire classroom. Those relationships grew throughout the year and my principal took notice!
Working with families who are new to the country has brought me the most excitement and accomplishment.  Helping these families learn the culture of the Boston Public Schools and how to navigate the system has brought great fulfillment to my work as an FCOC.



Michael Allwood at the Trotter School-617-635-8225
Years In The Position: 3 years
What Brought You (background) To The Family / Community Engagement Work?
Worked in BPS in the following positions which incorporated Family and Community Engagement:
Teacher/ Para in K1/K0 Classroom
Director of Extended Programs (Before and After-school Programs)
I worked 10 years for a local Faith Based Non Profit working with Children, Youth and Families

Work included but was not limited to: 
Field Coordinator for New Horizon (Teen internship program where we placed teenagers in the mentoring and workforce opportunities) 
Director of Project 21 After-school Program (After-school Program for elementary school students) 
Director of Ozioma Summer Program (8 week Summer Camp experience for children 6 – 12 years old) 
Development Officer (Assisted with fundraising with the Executive Director) 
Director of Programs (Managed the operation of all previously mentioned programs) 
Was an Advisory Board Member with the MBTA Transit Police
Director of Youth Ministry – Global Ministries Christian Church, Dorchester, MA. Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Bruce Wall and Karin Wall
Senior Associate Pastor – Mars Hill Fellowship Church, Brookline, MA. Lead Pastors: Pastors Joseph and Ophelia Ardayfio

What Part Of The Work Has Brought Excitement and Accomplishment
The excitement of a family when there is a sense of accomplishment. The look on a child’s face when they realize that they got it or realize that it is not “are you Smart but how you are Smart!”
                   Building Community – There is nothing like watching people of different cultures and economic backgrounds come together and enjoy being with each other. Watching someone accomplish their dreams.
Salome Briceno at the Blackstone Innovation School

617-635-8471


Years In The Position: 4 years

What Brought You (background) To The Family / Community Engagement Work:

My journey into the educational system began when I worked as a social work clinician on a Department of Youth Services Lock Up unit in Brockton, MA in 2005.  Over the 2 years I had worked there, it was identified that many of these children had little schooling.  I found myself addressing the educational needs of the students and advocating for their opportunity to learn.  I would leave work and ask myself: what is happening in the systems that these children are a part of (school, home, community)?  I knew that I wanted to be part of a system that equipped our future leaders of the world with the skills and tools they would need to be successful adults in this world.  This led me to my work at the Blackstone Elementary School in the fall of 2007.  The Blackstone was designated a Level 4 Turnaround School in 2009 by the State of Massachusetts and we were charged with “turning around” the school.  Although the Blackstone has undergone a number of changes I have learned a great deal from our leaders (teaching staff and appointed principals) as a member of the Administrative Team. 

 What Part Of The Work Has Brought Excitement and Accomplishment:

What has brough excitement and accomplishment is building capacity and leadership opportunities within our school community amongst students, families, staff and community partners with the purpose of achieving the common goal.  Ultimately, the distribution of authority allows for the team to become unified and have ownership of the shared purpose.  What I hold true to my heart, is to see every student joyfully engaged in learning across all content areas and not limited to reading, writing and math.  I believe in empowering and inspiring those that I work with and be enlightened and motivated by those around me to move beyond our existing skill set and accomplish greater things together.


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