SITE DEAN, COLLEGE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

I first learned about SEEDS through a job ad on Idealist. I had just graduated with my master’s degree and was in search of a job in the education field. I initially came on to SEEDS as a site dean for the Scholars Program at Dwight Englewood School. Sometime later, I took on the site dean role for the College Scholars Program.

I was attracted to SEEDS because I wanted to be part of the overall vision of SEEDS, which is really true: changing one’s ability to be as successful as possible through education and opportunity. What came out of this for me is a true ongoing connection not only with the students, but the incredible impact SEEDS has on an entire community. For example, the scholars make sure to help others who are not in the program understand that there are ways to change their life trajectory and I think that is the value that SEEDS instills in all of us.

Over the course of its 30-year existence, SEEDS has been successful in changing the lives of students – 100 percent! It is about opportunity and how to level the playing field that might seem out of reach or out of touch. I see this in the students paying it forward and the pride that the families have in saying their child is a “SEEDS Scholar.”

Students who go through SEEDS programs are incredibly candid and open about what they want. They exemplify integrity and what it means to combine passion and hard work. Their desire for success is infectious and that is what makes the learning community a gift to be part of.

I would love to encourage others to give to SEEDS in the same capacity that I have. You should be honored to be involved with SEEDS. There truly is no other organization that is filled with so much hope and promise in all facets. It is the team and collaboration between students, site staff, and the office that is the reason why SEEDS is amazing. To put it succinctly, GET INVOLVED!

Outside of her role as a Site Dean, Jen is an 11th-grade ELA teacher at Bronx High School for Law and Community Service.