Shimon Waronker
Encyclopedia
Shimon Waronker is the headmaster of The New American Academy
, PS 770, an innovative new public school in Brooklyn, NY. He is a doctoral student in the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard where he developed the idea for the new school's approach to education. He is the former Principal of the Jordan L. Mott School in New York City
, also known as Junior High School 22.
Waronker came to public attention after his success in taking a failing school in a tough neighborhood, Junior High School 22, in the South Bronx, also called the Jordan L. Mott School, and turning it around. This drew attention because Waronker, a member of the Chabad
-Lubavitch sect of Hasidic Judaism
who wears a conservative suit, a beard, a black hat and a velvet yarmulke, had to overcome prejudice both in getting the job and in gaining the trust of the parents, teacher and students at the school.
Waronker, a former intelligence officer in the United State Army, took over a school listed as one of the 12 most violent in New York. There were active gangs, attacks and fights that led to serious hospitalization, drug use and alcohol on campus. Waronker’s methods included expelling and suspending large numbers of students, adding guidance counselors, a psychologist, social workers,and family workers, to the staff and finding ways for more teachers to attend advanced educational seminars. Students get one-on-one or small group tutoring one to three times a week. There are frequent field trips and the school has books in every classroom, a new library, new science labs, and laptop computer carts. The school is divided into eight small academies, so that small groups of teachers can focus on small groups of students. Mott teaches such subjects as math and science in a choice of Spanish and English or French and English with the aim of producing students who can compete in the global economy.
The school was an impact school
that was protected by the NYPD.
Waronker was awarded the French Ordre des Palmes Académiques on October 20, 2009 and was knighted by French Ambassador Pierre Vimont
at the Tweed Courthouse
, headquarters of the New York City Department of Education
.
In the fall of 2010, Waronker opened the new school The New American Academy
.
The New American Academy
The New American Academy is a new, innovative and visionary approach to education. It was first implemented in New York City as a new public school, PS 770, in the fall of 2010...
, PS 770, an innovative new public school in Brooklyn, NY. He is a doctoral student in the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard where he developed the idea for the new school's approach to education. He is the former Principal of the Jordan L. Mott School in New York City
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...
, also known as Junior High School 22.
Waronker came to public attention after his success in taking a failing school in a tough neighborhood, Junior High School 22, in the South Bronx, also called the Jordan L. Mott School, and turning it around. This drew attention because Waronker, a member of the Chabad
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
-Lubavitch sect of Hasidic Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
who wears a conservative suit, a beard, a black hat and a velvet yarmulke, had to overcome prejudice both in getting the job and in gaining the trust of the parents, teacher and students at the school.
Waronker, a former intelligence officer in the United State Army, took over a school listed as one of the 12 most violent in New York. There were active gangs, attacks and fights that led to serious hospitalization, drug use and alcohol on campus. Waronker’s methods included expelling and suspending large numbers of students, adding guidance counselors, a psychologist, social workers,and family workers, to the staff and finding ways for more teachers to attend advanced educational seminars. Students get one-on-one or small group tutoring one to three times a week. There are frequent field trips and the school has books in every classroom, a new library, new science labs, and laptop computer carts. The school is divided into eight small academies, so that small groups of teachers can focus on small groups of students. Mott teaches such subjects as math and science in a choice of Spanish and English or French and English with the aim of producing students who can compete in the global economy.
The school was an impact school
Federal Impact Aid
Federal Impact Aid is designed to assist United States local school districts that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt Federal property, or that have experienced increased expenditures due to the enrollment of federally connected children, including children living on...
that was protected by the NYPD.
Waronker was awarded the French Ordre des Palmes Académiques on October 20, 2009 and was knighted by French Ambassador Pierre Vimont
Pierre Vimont
Pierre Vimont is the Secretary-General of the European External Action Service .-Biography:Vimont holds a licence in law. He is a graduate of the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris and the École nationale d'administration...
at the Tweed Courthouse
Tweed Courthouse
The building is composed of a central section with two projecting wings, with an addition in the center on the south facade. The entry portico on the main Chambers Street facade rises three and a half stories from a low granite curb, supported by four Corinthian columns...
, headquarters of 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...
.
In the fall of 2010, Waronker opened the new school The New American Academy
The New American Academy
The New American Academy is a new, innovative and visionary approach to education. It was first implemented in New York City as a new public school, PS 770, in the fall of 2010...
.