If you’re an avid reader of the Currents Newsletter, you may recall that last year there was a featured article about how last year’s fifth grade performed an excerpt of the musical 1776 at the EL Education National Conference in Philadelphia to thousands of participants.  This year, staff members were surprised to hear “Genesee Community Charter School” identified by the Keynote Speaker, Dr. John B. King Jr. former Secretary of Education under President Obama, during his speech!

During his keynote address, Dr. King highlighted the work of our sixth grade teachers who have spent the last several years illuminating the importance of social justice in Rochester by examining racial and economic inequities through their year-long expeditions.  He spoke about the importance of this work as well as the need for students to make strong connections with their teachers to help them socially and academically. Chris Dolgos had the opportunity to hear his speech live in Atlanta this fall and was surprised to find out that Dr. King was even more excited to meet him!  We continue to be very proud of our sixth grade teachers and know we are on the cutting edge of great work for our future Rochestarian activists!

To hear Dr. King’s speech, visit: https://eleducation.org/resources/elnc19-plenaries-john-b-king-jr