Frank Mickens
Encyclopedia
Dr. Frank Mickens was a nationally recognized New York City
educator as principal of Boys and Girls High School
at 1700 Fulton Street
in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn
, one of America's toughest areas. The seventeenth largest high school in the United States, Boys and Girls High School has a student population of over four thousand students. Boys and Girls High School was built in the 1970s as a model 'education option' school, and Mickens successfully embraced this initiative as an administrator in the New York City Department of Education
. His cigar-chomping tough no-nonsense 'take charge' clawhammer approach earned Mickens 'tough love' comparisons to Joe Louis Clark
and the controversial nickname 'The Chancellor of Fulton Street'.
in Brooklyn
. He earned a B.A. in History from SUNY Potsdam, and a Master's degree New York University
. In 1968 at 22, he began teaching at Boys High School, and served as boys baseball and basketball coach 1969-1979, leading the Kangaroos to the 1979 PSAL boys basketball championship, and also served as academic dean of students. He completed postgraduate work at Columbia University
, and later attended the Principal's Center at Harvard University
. In 1982, he became principal of a Junior High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and later was principal of Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Manhattan. In 1980, he became men's basketball coach at Borough of Manhattan Community College
.
In 2001-2002, he was a Charles Revson Fellow at Columbia University
. Medgar Evers College
awarded him an honorary degree of letters. Mickens also lectured in the Graduate School of Education at Long Island University.
He also served simultaneously as an Assistant Superintendent in the Brooklyn High Schools, helping to set curriculum and policy standards, and plan future academics.
Mickens unorthodox administrative style attracted controversy-and lawsuits- by instituting codes of conduct, a blouse skirt/shirt and tie dress code that he called dress for success and long suspensions for infractions of the rules. He had teachers posted outside school every morning to discourage trouble, as well as having various MTA buses waiting after school so students wouldn't have to wait in this rough neighborhood. His disciplinary code included no hats, no listening to a walkman, no gold teeth caps, no excessive jewelry, and no sneakers with lights. He also had inspirational banners all over the school to remind the students to always do there best. The lawsuits against Mickens stemmed from his moving troublesome students into programs from which they did not graduate, and were not finally settled until four years after his retirement.
of natural causes on July 9, 2009. An only child, he is survived by his cousins, Sharon Rose-Calhoun of Brooklyn, New York, and Pamela Tranberg of Crete, Illinois. A memorial page has been set up on Facebook
by over 500 former students and colleagues.
An alumni and staff memorial service was held at Boys and Girls High School, followed by a funeral at Pentecostal Elim Fellowship
in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Eulogies were given by the Rev. Al Sharpton, City Controller Bill Thompson (New York)
and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
. Mickens was buried wearing his trademark suit and bowtie and holding his trademark cigar.
Books by Frank Mickens=
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
educator as principal of Boys and Girls High School
Boys and Girls High School
Boys and Girls High School, the oldest public high school in Brooklyn, is a comprehensive high school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York...
at 1700 Fulton Street
Fulton Street (Brooklyn)
Fulton Street, named after engineer Robert Fulton, exists mainly in two parts in what are today two boroughs of New York City which Fulton linked by his steam ferries, and each segment has its own distinct identity. This entry deals with Fulton Street in Brooklyn, which now begins at the...
in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, one of America's toughest areas. The seventeenth largest high school in the United States, Boys and Girls High School has a student population of over four thousand students. Boys and Girls High School was built in the 1970s as a model 'education option' school, and Mickens successfully embraced this initiative as an administrator in the New York City Department of Education
New York City Department of Education
The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system. It is the largest school system in the United States, with over 1.1 million students taught in more than 1,700 separate schools...
. His cigar-chomping tough no-nonsense 'take charge' clawhammer approach earned Mickens 'tough love' comparisons to Joe Louis Clark
Joe Louis Clark
Joe Louis Clark is the former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, one of New Jersey's toughest inner city schools. He is also the subject of the 1989 film Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman. Clark gained public attention in the 1980s for his unconventional and controversial...
and the controversial nickname 'The Chancellor of Fulton Street'.
Early life
Mickens mother was a teacher. He was a graduate of Erasmus Hall High SchoolErasmus Hall High School
Erasmus Hall Campus High School is a four-year public high school in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, United States operated by the New York City Department of Education....
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. He earned a B.A. in History from SUNY Potsdam, and a Master's degree New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. In 1968 at 22, he began teaching at Boys High School, and served as boys baseball and basketball coach 1969-1979, leading the Kangaroos to the 1979 PSAL boys basketball championship, and also served as academic dean of students. He completed postgraduate work at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, and later attended the Principal's Center at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. In 1982, he became principal of a Junior High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and later was principal of Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Manhattan. In 1980, he became men's basketball coach at Borough of Manhattan Community College
Borough of Manhattan Community College
The Borough of Manhattan Community College is one of six two-year colleges within the City University of New York system and the only one in Manhattan. Founded in 1963, BMCC originally offered business-oriented and liberal arts degrees for those intending to enter the business world or transfer...
.
Later achievements
In 1986, he became principal of Boys and Girls High School, which had a graduation rate of 24.4 percent. By 2004, the year Mickens retired, the high school graduation rate had risen to 47.7 percent with 85% of graduates headed to college. For eighteen years, Mickens worked twelve hour days, seven days a week, and frequently patrolled the perimeter of the high school with a clawhammer, and patrolled the hallways with a walkie-talkie, clipboard and a bullhorn. His aim was to create a college preparatory environment of excellence, self-esteem and safety for his students.In 2001-2002, he was a Charles Revson Fellow at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. Medgar Evers College
Medgar Evers College
Medgar Evers College is a senior college of The City University of New York.Medgar Evers College was officially established in 1970 through cooperation from educators and community leaders in central Brooklyn...
awarded him an honorary degree of letters. Mickens also lectured in the Graduate School of Education at Long Island University.
He also served simultaneously as an Assistant Superintendent in the Brooklyn High Schools, helping to set curriculum and policy standards, and plan future academics.
Mickens unorthodox administrative style attracted controversy-and lawsuits- by instituting codes of conduct, a blouse skirt/shirt and tie dress code that he called dress for success and long suspensions for infractions of the rules. He had teachers posted outside school every morning to discourage trouble, as well as having various MTA buses waiting after school so students wouldn't have to wait in this rough neighborhood. His disciplinary code included no hats, no listening to a walkman, no gold teeth caps, no excessive jewelry, and no sneakers with lights. He also had inspirational banners all over the school to remind the students to always do there best. The lawsuits against Mickens stemmed from his moving troublesome students into programs from which they did not graduate, and were not finally settled until four years after his retirement.
Death
Mickens, who was divorced and lost his only son in a car accident at a young age, was found dead at age 63 at his home in Bedford-Stuyvesant BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
of natural causes on July 9, 2009. An only child, he is survived by his cousins, Sharon Rose-Calhoun of Brooklyn, New York, and Pamela Tranberg of Crete, Illinois. A memorial page has been set up on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
by over 500 former students and colleagues.
An alumni and staff memorial service was held at Boys and Girls High School, followed by a funeral at Pentecostal Elim Fellowship
Elim Fellowship
The Elim Fellowship is a North American based Pentecostal/charismatic Christian denomination that emphasizes the spread of revival and renewal.- History :...
in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Eulogies were given by the Rev. Al Sharpton, City Controller Bill Thompson (New York)
Bill Thompson (New York)
William Colridge Thompson, Jr. , known as Bill or Billy, was the 42nd Comptroller of New York City. Sworn into office on January 1, 2002, he was reelected to serve a second term that began on January 1, 2006. He left office on December 31, 2009, having been succeeded by John Liu...
and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Marty Markowitz
Marty Markowitz is the Borough President of Brooklyn, New York City, the most populous borough in New York City with nearly 2.6 million residents. Markowitz was first elected borough president in 2001 after serving 23 years as a New York State Senator...
. Mickens was buried wearing his trademark suit and bowtie and holding his trademark cigar.
Books by Frank Mickens=
- It Doesn't Have To Be That Way: A Positive Environment in Our Schools by Frank Mickens
- My Way: The Leadership Style of an Urban High School Principal by Frank Mickens