P-TECH "And How Are The Children" City Tech Alumni, Eric Adams From Brooklyn, New York Borough President To New York City Mayor

Eric Adams served as the Brooklyn Borough President from October 21, 2014, to January 1, 2022. He then became the second Black elected Mayor of New York City on January 1, 2022 and is currently serving in that position. I have first-hand experience of benefiting from Mayor Adam's being a champion of career connected learning since he was the Brooklyn Borough President. However, his historic position as the second elected Black Mayor of New York City comes as a pivotal time to give hope for the possibilities of middle- and working-class families. As one of the notable alumni to graduate from New York City College of Technology, City Tech, Mayor Adams has global impact potential. City Tech is our college partner and Mayor Adams was present at the commencement in June 2015 wherein graduates from the innovative work that he supports showed the world that three years after 9th grade students could earn a two-year associate in applied science with no academic screening, no test for admissions and no college remediation. Mayor Adams has used the Maasai greeting "And How Are The Children?" in many speeches recently. Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) is an educational model that combines high school, college, and workplace experiences to prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. It is a prime example of how the Maasai greeting "And How Are The Children?" illustrates the power of community and collective responsibility.

P-TECH was announced, September 27, 2010, by then New York City Mayor, Mike Bloomberg. Joel Klein was the Chancellor of New York. City Schools and Marty Markowitz was the Brooklyn Borough President. Markowitz welcomed all the new schools opening in Brooklyn to present for families. Adams hosted P-TECH at the Brooklyn Borough Office on October 21, 2014, and on October 21, 2023, I was present when he announced a new contract for the Council of Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) with New York City's Chancellor, David C. Banks (2003 Cahn Fellow) and CSA President Henry Rubio (2007 Cahn Fellow).

The Maasai greeting "And How Are The Children?" reflects the Maasai tribe's belief that the well-being of their community is directly linked to the well-being of their children. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that every child is safe, healthy, and thriving. This greeting serves as a reminder that the community's success and future depend on the well-being and development of its youngest members. P-TECH embodies this philosophy by providing a supportive and nurturing environment for students. It recognizes that the success of the community is directly tied to the success of its students. P-TECH schools focus on providing high quality education, mentorship, and career opportunities to students, particularly those from underserved communities. P-TECH is now replicated in 14 states and 30 countries.

By offering a seamless pathway from high School to college and career, P-TECH ensures that students have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce. It fosters a sense of community and collective responsibility by involving industry partners, mentors, and educators in the students' journey. This collaborative approach ensures that the students receive the support and guidance they need to thrive academically and professionally. P-TECH also addresses the broader societal challenges by focusing on equity and inclusion. It aims to bridge the opportunity gap by providing access to high-quality education and career opportunities for all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. The comment to inclusivity aligns with the Maasai greeting's emphasis on the well-being of all children in the community. The following seven of the 14 states that have produced P-TECH college graduates also show this inclusivity: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Texas. The state of Texas at the end of school year 2021-2022 had 235 P-TECHs. Dallas, Texas which is one of the largest cities in the United States of America has a P-TECH program in every high school and 10% of all their graduates earned a P-TECH college degree.

In summary, P-TECH exemplifies the power of the Maasai greeting "And How Are The Children?" by embodying the principles of community, collective responsibility, and equity. It demonstrates that investing in the education and well-being of young people is crucial for the success and prosperity of the entire community. In July 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (the first female elected Governor who visited P-TECH Brooklyn as the Lt. Governor) awarded $31.5 million to 12 awardees for the sixth cohort of P-TECH replications and three of the 12 are in the New York City Department of Education. One of the three are partnered with Mayor Adam's alma mater and our founding college partner, City Tech.

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