Author Archives: Woody

Brianna Bobo Inspires Aspiring Teachers

Brianna Bobo, 2024 Alma Exley Scholar, recently shared her experiences as a first-year teacher with aspiring teachers from Conard and Hall high schools in her hometown of West Hartford.

Ms. Bobo, a social studies teacher at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, spoke to students in the Future Educators of Diversity (FEOD) program. An alumna of FEOD, she described the impact the program had on her and the impact she can have on her students.

Brianna Bobo addresses students.

West Hartford Public Schools maintains partnerships with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and the University of Connecticut as part of the district’s “Grow Your Own” teacher-development initiative.

This year, 12 students from Conard and Hall were formally recognized and “pinned,” signifying their commitment to careers in education or service-related fields. With more than 40 students now involved districtwide, the program continues to grow in size and impact.

Jamahl Hines addresses students.

Jamahl Hines, former Conard High School principal, established the FEOD program about six years ago. He continues to support the program in his current role as special assistant to the provost at CCSU.

FEOD functions as both a student leadership initiative and a strategic effort to cultivate a diverse, future-ready teaching workforce. The program supports students from elementary schools through high school, sparking early interest in education and fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. With mentorship, leadership development, and intentional pathways to higher education, FEOD equips students with the tools they need to succeed in teacher preparation programs and beyond.

Editor’s note: This event was first reported in We-Ha.com, the online newsletter about happenings in West Hartford.

(Photos by Ronni Newton, We-Ha.com)

Two Earn Doctorates from Harvard

Now you can call them Doctor.

Two Alma Exley Scholars have received Doctor of Educational Leadership degrees from Harvard University. They are Dr. Vernon-James Riley, whom we honored in 2008, and Dr. Justis Lopez, honored in 2015. 

Dr. Lopez, left, and Dr. Riley

Educational Entrepreneurs

While at Harvard, Dr. Riley established an educational consulting enterprise, VJR Consulting Firm, which supports school districts with leadership coaching, professional development, and strategic planning services. Already, Dr. Riley and his team have trained more than 10,000 educators in cities across the country. Read more.

Dr. Lopez is re-invigorating the organization he established as an undergraduate, Just Experience, in the educational social entrepreneurship sector. As founder of this enterprise, he has created curriculum for classes, facilitated workshops, hosted hundreds of events, and has performed as a DJ for clients’ significant life events. He is also creating other educational initiatives “that are rooted in healing, justice, joy, and liberation.” Read more.

From Harlem to Harvard

Dr. Riley grew up in Harlem, New York City, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale. He went on to earn master’s degrees from Michigan State University and Teachers College at Columbia University.

Early in his career, he was founding dean of students at Summit Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y., and founding director of operations at Amani Public Charter School in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Subsequently, he served as principal at North Star Academy Charter School in Newark, New Jersey, and vice provost of National School Leader Programs at the Relay Graduate School of Education in Washington, D.C.

Vernon-James Riley presenting his capstone defense at Harvard.

A Son of Manchester

Dr. Lopez hails from Manchester, Connecticut. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in educational entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.

He began his career teaching social studies at Manchester High School. He also taught social studies at a public high school in the Bronx, N.Y. Then he served as alumni affairs coordinator at the Council for Opportunity in Education, Washington, D.C.

Future secretary of education? Justis Lopez tries out the chair of U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona when visiting his office in Washington. 

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Launching a New Organization of Latino Leaders

         Two Alma Exley Scholars played prominent roles in the inaugural conference of the New England chapter of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) in Springfield, Mass.

Dr. Miguel Cardona and Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims

         The keynote speaker, former U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Ed.D., whom we honored in 1998, reminded his audience “just how urgently our leadership is needed in this historical moment.” He urged Latino administrators to lead with purpose. He emphasized that everyone in a school district—from the superintendent to paraeducators—should share common values and work toward common goals.

         Violet Jiménez Sims, Ed.D. (2008), managing director of academic programming and legislative affairs for the Connecticut Teacher Residency Program (TRP), conducted a workshop on the topic “Quieting the Noise: Courageous Leadership and Advocacy for Diverse and Multilingual Learners.”

         Under her leadership, TRP is building a more diverse educator workforce by enabling university graduates to obtain their state teacher certification. Some 90 percent of the future teachers in the program are people of color.

         The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents is dedicated to providing leadership development for school and district leaders who serve Latino youth and other historically marginalized students.

Dr. Sims explains data on English-language learners

Space to Reflect and Recommit

         Said Dr. Sims, “Huge congratulations to NE ALAS for launching their chapter and creating space for us to reflect and recommit. In times like these, we need spaces that feed our souls and reinforce the principle of lifting as we climb.

         “Let’s remember: Our collective power grows when we move with abundance, not scarcity. When we resist the temptation to gatekeep or use the proverbial ‘master’s tools’ to recreate the very systems we aim to dismantle. Representation matters, but impact matters more. And we make the greatest impact when we lead with inclusion, generosity, and purpose.”

         Congratulations to Dr. Cardona and Dr. Sims for helping to launch this new organization of Latino educational leaders by sharing the experience and expertise they have gained in their remarkable careers.