This past year has been tumultuous, especially for educators. Across the country, school leaders have had to juggle navigating a global pandemic and our nation’s racial reckoning. They’ve transitioned to virtual teaching and learning, created space to discuss police brutality and systemic racism in their schools, and addressed the physical, social, and emotional needs of their students and families. In light of all, they have persevered through. Our School Leaders Who Inspire Series is intended to celebrate and highlight the prominent and impactful educators we have the pleasure of working with.
Over the course of this series, we will share interviews with school leaders about their motivations to lead and teach, their biggest lessons, influences, and best advice. You will learn more about their contributions to the public school system and how they have worked to provide their students with a high quality and equitable education.
Our Conversation with Denise Alexander
How long have you been working in the charter school sector?
My second job teaching was with Edison schools in both Washington D.C. and Atlanta, so I have been working in the charter school sector for quite a while.
What book, experience, or resource has had the biggest impact on how you approach this work?
I'm an avid reader so narrowing this down to one is challenging. Leadership on the Line, by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky, was probably the first book I read that gave me permission to define myself as a leader and to reflect on my leadership style. Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph.D is a close runner-up. It reminds me of the importance of personal development, and a growth mindset. I've spent a lot of time revisiting Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria, by Beverly Tatum Ph.D. This is a text I turn to a lot when facilitating Race, Class and Culture conversations with staff.
How many Black teachers or professors have you had over the course of your own education?
K-12th grades, I can count the number of Black teachers I had on one hand. For undergrad, I went to Howard University where most of my professors were Black.
How do you create joy for your students?
I try to spend as much time as possible engaging in authentic conversations with students, not only does it give them opportunities to talk about what is important in their world and lives, it also allows them to learn about me. I participate in very theatrical read-alouds because I love to evoke curiosity, and engagement; it entertains them so much and demonstrates the richness of literature. As a school leader, I ensure the design of the day is developmentally appropriate for kids, allocating time for recess, and the arts. There are also many celebrations, and opportunities to recognize kids' accomplishments, no matter how small.
Does your school have any strategies that it uses to help support students’ racial identity development?
It starts first with creating safe-spaces so that staff can collaboratively engage in learning and discussions on the topics or race. These conversations are not easy, but they are ongoing. All students K-6 address race as a part of the school's social studies curriculum. Teacher facilitated conversations occur during Morning Meetings and advisories.
What are the biggest lessons you have learned from your school community?
Creating and maintaining stakeholder investment in a school’s or organization’s mission is critical to the work. One of the school leader's primary responsibilities is to live, and breathe the school’s mission; strategically, but more importantly organically demonstrating profound commitment.
What is the best piece of advice you have gotten in your career so far and why?
"Train yourself to hear the music that is not being played." This piece of advice reminds me to always be aware of the feelings and motivations behind what is being said. I'm much more direct, pleasantly direct, but direct.
About Denise Alexander
Denise Alexander first joined the Bronx Charter School for Children in 2013 as the school’s first Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She now serves as the Head of the School. Since beginning her educational tenure, 16 years ago, she has been committed to promoting equity and excellence in education and improving access to high-quality education and achievement.
Prior to joining the Bronx Charter School for Children, Ms. Alexander's experience in the field of education included significant roles in teacher and leadership development, curriculum design and instructional research. Her career is additionally marked by: developing the new principal preparation curriculum for the Teacher's College at Columbia University; designing and co-founding Delta Promise Community Charter School in Sunflower County, Mississippi; serving as The District of Columbia Public Schools' Lead Instructional Coach and Manager among many other accomplishments. She received her Ed.M. in Educational Leadership and Supervision from the Teacher's College at Columbia University, her Masters of Art in Teaching from Trinity University and her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Howard University.
Our Work with The Bronx Charter School for Children
The Bronx Charter School for Children is a high-performing charter school serving grades K-8 that has been a LISC partner for over two years. The Bronx Charter School for Children (BCSC) was founded in 2004 and serves a primarily Hispanic and Latinx student population. BCSC’s mission is to empower children to achieve their greatest potential both as students and as members of their communities.
The Bronx Charter School for Children believes that a rigorous academic program combined with a supportive social-emotional curriculum will lead their scholars to success. BCSC’s academic program includes practices that are associated with high-performing urban schools: more time on task; standards-based instruction; research-based curricula; regular assessments; nightly homework; and horizon-broadening enrichment opportunities. During the 2017-2018 school year, students outperformed the state by 18% on the ELA Exam.
The LISC Charter School Financing Team provided the Bronx Charter School for Children with a $50,000 Spark Opportunity predevelopment grant to help cover the cost of architectural planning and design of a new middle school facility that will serve 240 new students by 2022.
Related Articles:
School Leaders Who Inspire: Monique Daviss
School Leaders Who Inspire: James F. Waller
School Leaders Who Inspire: Traci Thibodeaux
School Leaders Who Inspire: David Spencer