MESA Charter High School

We're thrilled to share highlights from our recent outreach event for MESA: South Brooklyn, where MESA Alumni and Alumni Lab Graduates joined forces to spread the word about our new school opening this August. Their enthusiasm and dedication were instrumental in connecting with the South Brooklyn community and informing parents about the exciting opportunities MESA has to offer. We’re excited to welcome our new students and families to the MESA community this fall!

We're excited to share that our students recently had the opportunity to participate in Suit Up's Black History Month celebration, joining two other NYC schools for an inspiring panel featuring accomplished Black professionals. This event was a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain valuable insights and celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Black community. A heartfelt thank you to SuitUp Incorporated for hosting such an impactful event and for including us in this meaningful celebration. We're grateful for the chance to connect our students with role models who inspire and empower them on their journeys.

We're thrilled to introduce the team behind MESA: South Brooklyn, starting with our Principal, Anna Spoden! As we gear up for our new school opening, we asked Anna a few questions to help everyone get to know her better: ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????:?Inspired by a similar program to MESA's intersession, Anna valued the internship and travel experiences, shaping how she approaches the world and the future plans for our students. ???????????????????? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ??????????:?Advocacy, Joy, and Empathy. ?????? ????????:?Growing up with 4 siblings and 4 parents has taught Anna to balance many personalities and love everyone’s uniqueness. ???????????????? ????????:?Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. ????-???? ??????????:?Iced Almond Latte. ?????????????????? ????????????:?Community organizing and nonprofit work. ?????????????? ???? ????????????????:?Anna is deeply committed to supporting and helping every student grow, ensuring they feel celebrated and prepared for their futures. ?????????? ???????????? ????????????:?Her dog, Shishito! We're excited to have Anna leading MESA South Brooklyn with her passion for education and community. Stay tuned as we unveil more of our fantastic team!

We're proud to celebrate the recent graduation of our Alumni Lab fellows, who marked the occasion with heartfelt personal speeches reflecting on their 6-week journey in the program. They shared valuable insights and encouragement for the upcoming cohort, emphasizing the growth and skills gained along the way. A heartfelt thank you to STRIVE , KIPP Foundation , The Urban Assembly, Inc. , Army National Guard, St. Nicks Alliance, and the families of the fellows for their incredible support and presence at the ceremony. Your contributions and encouragement have made a significant impact on our graduates, who are now ready to embark on their next steps with confidence and capability. We look forward to seeing our new cohort.

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of MESA: South Brooklyn in August 2025, and we're seeking motivated students to join our founding class! With highlights like our STEM program and college credit courses, MESA South Brooklyn offers an exceptional environment for learning and growth. Applications are open now and due by April 1st. We invite upcoming 9th graders to apply and join our community, where small class sizes ensure personalized attention and impactful learning experiences. Spread the word and visit our website (www.mesacharter.org) for more information on how to be a part of this exciting new chapter.

On Wednesday, we hosted an inspiring Lunch and Learn focused on Skilled Trades, featuring insights from an Electrician, a Head of Construction, and a Program Associate from Stacks + Joules. Our students were engaged in a Career Simulation Task, where they creatively tackled designing a “plan” for a uniquely shaped computer classroom. Their innovative solutions transformed challenging dimensions into functional and inspiring learning spaces. A big thank you to our skilled trades panelists for sharing their expertise and to our students for their enthusiasm and creativity. We’re excited to see how they apply these skills in future endeavors. Mark your calendars for our next Lunch and Learn on April 9th, focusing on Hospitality and Tourism. We look forward to another engaging session!

We are thrilled to share that our MESA students recently had the exciting opportunity to tour the MESA South Brooklyn construction site, where they gained firsthand insights into the future expansion of our school. This visit offered valuable learning experiences in construction and architecture and inspired our students about potential career paths in these fields. A heartfelt thank you to Andrew Esposito and the APEX Development Group LLC for making this visit possible and providing our students with this unique opportunity. We're excited to announce that we're still on track to open MESA South Brooklyn in August 2025, and we can't wait to see the new possibilities it will bring.

Introducing the ? MESA Staff Shoutout Series ? where each month we feature 1-2 departments to learn more about our incredible team. This month, we're proud to spotlight our exceptional Dean Team! These dedicated leaders play a crucial role in maintaining a safe, supportive, and spirited environment at MESA. Meet the team: Anthony Velez, Derek Isaac, Khary Huggins, and our valued MESA alum, Tysheem Sanders. Whether they’re navigating hallways, addressing challenges, or cheering on our students, their unwavering commitment ensures our community thrives. Thank you to our Dean Team for all that you do to make MESA a better place for everyone. Your dedication to supporting and uplifting our students and staff is truly inspiring!

Last Thursday, our Alumni Lab hosted successful mock interviews, where our fellows demonstrated their skills and gained valuable experience. We’re thankful to our dedicated MESA staff and the wonderful members Angelina Lorenzo from The Urban Assembly, Inc. and Dario Mohr from KIPP NYC for providing insightful feedback and support. These mock interviews were essential for boosting our fellows confidence and getting them ready for future career opportunities. We're so proud of how much they've grown and can't wait to see what they achieve next. And great news applications are still open for the next Alumni Lab cohort! If you know anyone interested in this transformative experience, make sure to share this link: https://lnkd.in/ehNGHtXH And help them take the next step in their professional journey.

Introducing ? MESA Staff Shoutout Series ? where each month we feature 1-2 departments so you can learn about our amazing team. We're super excited to shine a light on our incredible External Affairs & Communications Department! This dynamic duo ensures that MESA's story is told far and wide, managing everything from social media content to newsletters and our website. Let's give a big cheer for Lucia M Morales, MPA, our Director of External Affairs and Communications, and Carlos Hidalgo, our Communications Associate. Your hard work in crafting engaging content, connecting with our community, and keeping us all informed does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do to keep MESA thriving and in the spotlight. You both truly embody the spirit of creativity and communication here at MESA!