15th Annual Champions of Education Luncheon

About Teaching Matters: For nearly 30 years, Teaching Matters has been a catalyst for change in the education landscape. With a mission to close the opportunity gap for under-served and marginalized students, we are transforming classrooms and shaping a future where every student, regardless of zip code, has access to exceptional teaching.

We have worked with over 1,500 schools, impacting the lives of approximately 600,000 students, and our impact is evident in the success stories of our partners. Through our support, these schools have seen remarkable improvements in reading and math scores. Our early literacy program has propelled pre-readers to become confident readers, and our math initiatives have surpassed national averages in student growth.

Program Details:

Honoring Dana Creel: Dana Creel serves as a Board Member and Chairman's Council Co-Chair for Teaching Matters. Dana's near-decade of advocacy has focused on supporting educators in their endeavors to enhance educational outcomes for the most marginalized learners in New York City. Her passion for community involvement led her to establish the Teaching Matters volunteer program, which she currently leads with dedication, vision, and enthusiasm. As a result, she has been instrumental in effecting tangible improvements in the lives of both teachers and students.

Honoring Jackie Williams: Jackie Williams serves as a Trustee and the Women's Board Presidents' Council for the Boys' Club of New York. She has been one of their staunchest, most heartfelt and hard-working supporters for nearly 40 years. She has championed a great many BCNY projects, from their early literacy programming to a variety of teen initiatives for BCNY's young men, and was honored with the organization's Northrop Award in 2016. Jackie has also been a generous supporter of Teaching Matters, and the academic and personal growth of young people means a great deal to her. Her dedication to supporting education and providing youth with the resources and tools they need to succeed in school and life, no matter their circumstances, is inspiring.

Keynote Speaker, Harvey Chism: Harvey Chism's dedication to youth empowerment and education spans over 25 years, embodying a legacy of catalyzing positive change for youth and students. Currently serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Harvey helps educators and system leaders to tackle complex problems by using continuous improvement and implementing effective solutions. Within his portfolio, he partners with school districts, nonprofit intermediaries, and professional learning providers to overcome systemic inequities that particularly affect marginalized students.

Before his tenure at the Foundation, Harvey served as Executive Director and Co-Founder of a pioneering charter high school in the South Bronx that was conceived under the auspices of New York City's Young Men’s Initiative. He is an advocate of place-based initiatives and believes in the inherent right of every student to shape their own destiny.
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BENEFIT COMMITTEE