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Furman Brown
2004
Furman Brown
Generation Schools
www.generationschools.org/
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Education & Youth Leadership
The Bold Idea:
Increasing student academic and life achievement through holistic child development
As student needs grow more diverse, the challenge of one teacher addressing each child’s learning needs becomes nearly impossible. Yet today’s instruction still occurs primarily in a roomful of children taught by a single teacher. Despite decades of reform strategies, reading levels and math proficiency for students have remained alarmingly low within American public schools.
Based on the principle that people learn best in small groups where they can benefit from more individual attention and customized lessons, Generation Schools proposes a new school model that reduces the teacher-to-student ratio to 1:6 without increasing the current per pupil spending levels. Located in New York City, Generation Schools introduces an innovative staffing structure that includes both veteran lead teachers who will serve as content experts (e.g., math, social studies) and a corps of new teachers who will rotate with their students throughout the day. Proposed to launch in New York City as a charter public school, Generation Schools' long-term vision is a national network of independently managed schools based on this model.
Biography:
Furman began his career in urban education as a charter corps member of Teach for America, and has consulted extensively for public schools throughout New York City for the past six years.
In an interview with Echoing Green, Furman talks about starting Generation Schools and his hopes for the future.
Moment of Obligation: When and why did you decide to start your organization?
I think I actually started working on this school model at the end of my first—overwhelming—week of teaching. As a first year teacher in South Central Los Angeles it became quickly clear to me that the traditional public school model simply was not designed to meet the needs of most of my students.
Who do you look up to and why?
My parents are two remarkable people. The Generation Schools project has evolved, in no small part, thanks to their lifelong support and guidance. For Generation Schools, the essential role of parents and families in the school community is fundamental to our mission.
A snapshot in ten years: What is your dream what's happening? What impact has your organization had?
I envision a network, throughout the country, of successful community-based schools based upon the Generation Schools model.
What's in your CD player right now?
Martin Sexton, The American
What are a few book recommendations (pleasure, work and anything in between)?
- Atonement by Ian McEwan
- Any book by Robert Coles
What websites do you go to often (work and personal)?
TechSoup.org (www.techsoup.org) is a great site that provides tons of information to help non-profit organizations leverage technology effectively.
Quick piece of advice for people starting social change organizations:
Stamina and persistence. Stamina and persistence. Stamina and persistence.
- Brooklyn
- Education & Youth Leadership
- United States
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