East Side Community School

Desiree Borrero started the school’s art program and has since grown it into an incredible multidisciplinary program. Her students’ exposure to art is widespread, from the hands-on learning in the classroom to field trips they take to NYC museums to the murals they paint as part of a school beautification program. She founded and maintains an on-site gallery, Lousida Art Gallery and organizes and spearheads fundraising for a biannual art trip abroad, the first for most of her students.

PS 20 Anna Silver School

Christine Drago believes in a cross-disciplinary approach to education, health and wellness. Her students do squats in their English class every time they identify a noun in a sentence, or play games in gym class that incorporate learning about history and culture of countries around the world. She has secured over 15 different partnerships including Nike, Reebok, Champs, Marathon Kids, C Community Health Center Network, NYU, United Legwear, Girls on the Run, and more.

Lower East Side Preparatory High School

Soleil Sabalja is the sole Special Education teacher at a transfer school comprised of students aged 15–22, many of whom speak no English, had interrupted learning, and come in at reading levels well below their age. Sabalja, who speaks five languages, juggles a variety of subjects, grade levels and languages in her classroom, often simultaneously. She is spearheading a new initiative to change the way that Special Education is taught at her school.

The Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

Nakia Smith is a Special Education teacher for a performing arts-based school in Harlem. Almost 90% of the students are in economic need and many are also dealing with gang violence, teen parenthood, and more. Smith motivates her students by sharing her own experiences and the mantra that “no matter what, no one can take away your education.” She is also the Special Education coordinator and an instructional coach.