Democracy Prep Public Schools

Meet Destiny Cervantes, our teacher SHEro at?our Stewart Campus Elementary School! Destiny shares why she teaches: "I choose to teach because I want to make a meaningful difference in students' lives through their education. When I think back on my own school experiences, I’ll always remember the teachers who inspired me to become an educator. They weren't just focused on the curriculum that they taught each day — they made me feel like they genuinely cared about my growth, both academically and personally, and truly wanted to see me succeed. Their support left a lasting impact on me, and it's one of the main reasons I’m an educator. I also want to leave a lasting impact on every student I teach. I want to give back to the community I grew up in, in the same way my educators did for me, helping students feel empowered, confident, and ready to achieve their goals." #whm?#herstory?#democracyprep

We are proud to share that our General Counsel, Ayanna Thomas, was recently featured in St. John's University School of Law's magazine! She shared her experience while studying at St. John's and spoke about what drove her to pursue a career in education. Access the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/ewU9y944

This week, we held the inaugural DPNY 6th Grade cross-campus Civics Fellowship at the Academy for American Democracy at The New York Historical. Scholars learned about the history of Greek and American democracy at the museum and participated in a simulation of Athenian direct democratic voting!

Meet Elizabeth Bradford, LCSW, our Social Worker SHEro whom we're highlighting for Women's History Month, and also for Social Work Awareness Month! "I have my LCSW and graduated with my MSW from Columbia School of Social Work in 2017. I spent five years working as a home based therapist for an alternative to incarceration program and saw first hand the power that education can have in providing opportunities and impacting the trajectory of young people. I strive to show up for our students everyday and help them see the light in themselves and what they are able to accomplish." #whm #socialworkawarenessmonth #democracyprep #herstory

This wasn't just an ordinary trip to the zoo for our Multi-Language Learning (MLL) scholars, it was specially coordinated for them free of charge as part of the Bronx Zoo's Title 1 educational program. Our scholars enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at some exciting animals, and left with plenty of fun experiences to share with their friends! #bronxzoo #earlychildhoodeducation #democracyprep

Meet Riunite Hood, our Director of Operations at the Agassi Campus! Riunite shares what fuels her passion for her work: "Diving into the vibrant world of education has been one amazing adventure! I absolutely love celebrating brilliant minds, from the fun elementary school days to all the exciting experiences I share with our high school scholars. There’s something truly special about forming lifelong connections with these incredible individuals and their families—it gets me so excited for what’s to come! This isn't just a job to me; it's a heartfelt passion that lights a fire in my soul! My drive comes from the joy of cheering every scholar on to their victories, making even the toughest challenges feel like a thrilling journey! I genuinely adore what I do because, together, we’re empowering the next generation of trailblazers, and I can’t help but smile as I play a part in their amazing journeys!" #whm #herstory #democracyprep

Last week, we had the opportunity to take our scholars (and chaperones) to the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse! This was a cross-campus learning experience that was attended by student council representatives from each New York High School campus. Scholars had a great time watching real lawyers and judges at work, and learning about our legal system! #civicengagement?#studentcouncil?#democracyprep?#highschool

Meet Katelyn Kenney, our Senior Manager of Accountability! Katelyn started out as a teacher here at DP 10 years ago, and now in her role at the CMO, she continues to take pride in the work she does to support our schools. "I care deeply about the work I do because it directly connects to ensuring Democracy Prep schools across all regions thrive and are positioned for growth, enabling them to provide the best educational outcomes for both current and future scholars. I work to secure funding, manage compliance requirements, and build strong relationships with charter authorizers and education departments at the state and federal levels, staying aligned with policy changes and advocating for the needs of our schools. By alleviating these accountability and regulatory pressures on school leaders, I create the space for them to focus on what matters most—nurturing and guiding their scholars every day. For the past 10 years at Democracy Prep, I have seen firsthand how education transforms lives, and I am proud to continue supporting our schools in making that impact." #whm #herstory #democracyprep

The first SHEro we're recognizing for Women's History Month is also someone we're highlighting in honor of Social Work Awareness Month this March. Meet Destony Stewart, LCSW SIFI, our Director of Social and Emotional Wellness! Destony leads efforts to promote scholar well-being through restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and fostering a school culture that values inclusivity, joy, and purpose over power. In her role, she also coaches social work teams across Democracy Prep, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to serve scholars effectively. Beyond her work in schools, Destony has chaperoned and led Democracy Prep's international trips to Italy for 9th grade scholars and is excited to embark on an upcoming journey to South Korea with the 11th grade scholars at Democracy Prep Charter High. #whm #socialworkawarenessmonth #democracyprep #herstory

Happy International Women's Day! Today, and throughout this Women's History Month, we are celebrating the women who are shaping our organization, and helping to inspire the next generation of SHEroes. #WHM #internationalwomensday #democracyprep