A year ago, Americans were preparing for the inauguration of Donald Trump. Teachers and students at Gateway were having lively discussions in and outside of the classroom about what Trump’s presidency would mean for all of us. Overwhelmingly, there were strong feelings of anger, disappointment, and fear. As teachers and staff talked more, a theme in these discussions emerged around immigration.

Each year, as the school year is about to start, I am again filled with excitement.  So many new variables make my profession as a teacher a constantly renewing one --new students, sometimes new curriculum, and always new ideas for how to make the curriculum more accessible and engaging to my students. 

About four years ago, Gateway Public Schools began thinking about what to do next as an organization. We had recently completed the process of launching our new middle school and had built up our organizational capacity and assets along the way. And while we recognized the vital importance to continue to innovatively grow our organization’s impact, we didn’t know what that growth should look like. 

Welcome to Gateway Impact’s Conversation Spot. Though some might refer to this as a “blog,” we disagree. Yes, we will publish periodic online writings that share thinking and educational practices that are near and dear to us at Gateway. However, blogs tend to be one-sided; our goal is to start conversations.