Author Archives: Woody

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.

2001 Honoree Named Teacher of the Year

Ollie-Rubiah Williams, who was honored as an Alma Exley Scholar in 2001, has been named Teacher of the Year for her school for the 2008-2009 academic year.

She is a teacher at the Farmington Valley Diagnostic Center, Avon, Conn., which is operated by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC).

Ms. Williams, who grew up in Windsor, Conn., holds a bachelor’s degree from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., and a master’s degree from Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, Conn.

She is the second Alma Exley Scholar to be named a Teacher of the Year. Desi Nesmith, a scholarship recipient in 2000, previously was named Teacher of the Year for Mayberry Elementary School in East Hartford, Conn. He current serves as principal of SAND Elementary School in Hartford.

2009 Recipients Are Named

group pic sibani sacha

Dr. Sibani Sengupta and Sacha Kelly, second and third from left,are congratulated by previous recipients, from left, Miguel Cardona, Violet Jiménez Sims and Chi-Ann Lin. 

Sacha Kelly, a student at Saint Joseph College, and Sibani Sengupta, Ph.D., a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the Alternate Route to Certification, have been chosen as 2009 recipients of Alma Exley Memorial Scholarships. They were honored at a reception on May 20, at Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford.

Ms. Kelly, a graduate of Stuyvesant High School, New York City, received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Trinity College, Hartford, and is scheduled to receive a master’s degree in education in 2009 from St. Joseph College, West Hartford. She has accepted a teaching position at Big Picture High School in Bloomfield, Conn.

Dr. Sengupta holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Calcutta, India, and a Ph.D. from UConn. She earned her Connecticut teaching certificate through the Alternate Route to Certification in August 2008, and she is teaching biology and genetics at Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden. She is the fourth recipient to be recognized from the Alternate Route to Certification, a state-run program that enables professionals from various fields to become teachers in Connecticut’s public schools.

Ms. Kelly and Dr. Sengupta join 17 previous recipients of Alma Exley Scholarships from Central Connecticut State University, Connecticut College, the University of Connecticut, St. Joseph College, Southern Connecticut State University, Yale University, and the Alternate Route to Certification. Previous recipients are making a difference in classrooms in Avon, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven and Westport, Conn., as well as in California, Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Posted May 21, 2009