Azikiwe Chandler ’14 recently began teaching at Veritas Preparatory Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Veritas Preparatory Charter School opened in August 2012 with Grade 5 and adds one grade with each successive year. To learn more about the mission and educational philosophy of Veritas prep, visit their website.
From Azikiwe Chandler: Greetings from frigid and snowy Western Massachusetts, College of Charleston Family! I started teaching at Veritas Prep public charter school this week, and I still feel like it’s a great fit for me. It’s a Title I school serving the socioeconomic status (SES) demographic with which I most want to work. Their mission is to “prepare students in grades 5 through 8 to compete, achieve, and succeed in high school, college, and beyond.” Each classroom is named after a college or university, instead of referred to by a number. Teachers address their students according to the college or university they’re “attending.” So next year, for example, I will address my class, “College of Charleston scholars.” The school is decked out with banners from numerous colleges and universities in the halls and cafeteria, and each classroom is decorated with banners, flags, posters, photos and other paraphernalia representing the college for which it is named. Sadly, while Harvard, Columbia and Smith are well represented, the College of Charleston can’t be found anywhere in the building. Of course, I want the College of Charleston to be represented to the utmost in the school and in my classroom. For additional information about Azikiwe Chandler’s journey in the classroom. Follow his blog at www.AzikiweChandler.com “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.” – El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X)
