Author Archives: Woody

2000 Honoree Gives Keynote Speech at UConn

Desi Nesmith, 2000 Alma Exley Scholarship recipient, was the keynote speaker at a dinner reception hosted by the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut on October 27, 2009.

Two other previous recipients, Miguel Cardona (1998), and Giulietta Romero (2007), also attended the event celebrating diversity in education by recognizing and supporting students of color pursuing a career in education. Mr. Cardona is principal of Hanover Elementary School, Meriden, and Ms. Romero is a kindergarten teacher at Robinson Elementary School, Manchester.

Attendees included students at the Neag School as well as students from the Teacher Preparation Academy at Bulkeley High School in Hartford.

Mr. Nesmith, principal of SAND Elementary School in Hartford, urged the students to benefit from the experience and support of their teachers and academic advisors. And he advised them to remain open to new experiences and opportunities in their education and career, even though they may not seem relevant at the time. He recounted experiences from his years at UConn and early in his career that enabled him to grow and mature as an educator.

He began his career as a fifth grade teacher at Mayberry Elementary School in East Hartford, where he was named Teacher of the Year. He also served as Teacher in Residence at the State Department of Education and Intervention Specialist in the Hartford Public Schools before being appointed principal in the summer of 2009.

Dr. Thomas DeFranco, dean of the Neag School, who hosted the event, underlined the need for more teachers of color by pointing out that while students of color comprise 39 percent of public school students under 18 in Connecticut, persons of color account for only 7 percent of the teaching profession statewide.

Posted October 28, 2009

UConn Honors 2000 Alma Exley Scholar

Desi Nesmith, 2000 recipient of an Alma Exley Scholarship, has received the first Promising Young Professional Award from the Neag School of Education Alumni Society of the University of Connecticut.

Mr. Nesmith began his career as a fifth grade teacher in East Hartford in 2002 and was named principal of America’s Choice at SAND School in Hartford, Conn., in 2009.

Former Neag Dean Richard Schwab said that “Desi is one of the most talented graduates that we had during my tenure as dean.”

Mr. Nesmith holds B.S., M.A. and post-graduate degrees from UConn. He was named a New England Scholar in 2001. He was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2006 at the Mayberry Elementary School. In 2007 he was honored by the Connecticut State Board of Education for contributions to the profession of teaching. In 2009 he was presented with the CAEOP (Connecticut Association of Educational Opportunity Programs) Award for his outstanding educational, community and personal success. And he was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Neag School diversity celebration.

Posted October 14, 2009

Sacha Kelly: Teacher Diversity Is Essential

Sacha Kelly shares her thoughts on the need for greater diversity in the teaching profession. Ms. Kelly, honored at a reception on May 20, 2009, has a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and a master’s degree from the University of Saint Joseph. She began her career as a mathematics teacher at Big Picture High School, Bloomfield, Conn. Posted June 25, 2009.

In order for the Connecticut public schools to be truly successful, it is critical that there are more talented teachers and school leaders of color, reflecting the diversity of the student population. Alma Exley’s scholarship program is helping to meet that essential need.

Would you believe that in my 28 years of education, attending public schools in New York City and private colleges in Connecticut, I have never been in a math or science class taught by a woman of color?!

When I work in schools today, I usually ask the students whether they have had women of color as math or science teachers. Sadly, most respond they have not. This unfortunate and commonplace absence of female teachers of color in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects fails to reflect the diversity of public-school students, and does a disservice to students of all backgrounds.

Happily, I know the presence of a mentor teacher can have a lasting impact. In high school, an African-American female teacher became my mentor. Although I never took a class with her, she showed me new possibilities for my future that I had not previously considered. I wish to thank her and the other extraordinary teachers who have had a positive impact in my life. As a result of being reached through their dedication to educate, I decided to teach to ‘pay it forward’ and inspire my students.

As an African-American woman with secondary licensure to teach high school mathematics, I am motivated to show diverse students a new image for math teachers and to encourage them to excel in STEM subjects and careers.

This spring I had the opportunity to teach geometry and algebra II as a student-teacher at Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford. Then I was also privileged to be a part of the GO-GIRL program at Saint Joseph College, a STEM enrichment program for 7th grade girls. I’m sure the students I reached in these experiences didn’t need a woman of color to learn, but I think my teaching presence left a positive impression that they could be successful scholars. The successes from these two recent teaching experiences have further reinforced my passion to teach and my commitment to inspire students, especially those of diverse backgrounds.