Preparing to Make an Impact: Launching a New Year of After-School Programming
This school year marks an exciting period of growth for Counseling In Schools as we expand our after-school programming and create new opportunities for NYC students, families, and school communities to learn, connect, and thrive.
With eight new DYCD programs joining our portfolio alongside two existing programs, our teams have spent the past several weeks preparing for an exciting year ahead. Throughout August, our leadership teams participated in staff trainings and orientations, program planning, professional development, education summits, networking opportunities, and our Program Director Retreat. Together, they identified program themes, strengthened leadership practices, built relationships with their school communities, and began developing engaging, intentional experiences for the young people and families we serve.
That preparation continued with our After-School Staff Launch, bringing together Activity Specialists, Group Leaders, Counselors, and Interns ahead of the first day of programming on September 14. The launch provided an important opportunity for staff to meet their program teams, build connections with colleagues, review expectations, and begin the year with a shared understanding of what it means to create high-quality, youth-centered programming.
Staff also participated in an engaging professional development workshop facilitated by Change Impact, focused on Positive Youth Development and Project-Based Learning. Through interactive learning and collaboration, team members explored strategies for creating environments where young people feel safe, supported, connected, challenged, and empowered. They also explored how project-based learning can turn students’ interests and ideas into hands-on experiences that foster creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, leadership, and youth voice.
At the heart of all this preparation is a simple but powerful idea: high-quality after-school programming begins with well-prepared, connected, and supported staff. Our teams are not simply preparing activities, they are preparing to build relationships, create belonging, elevate youth voice, and open doors for young people to discover new interests and possibilities.
We are especially excited to welcome and celebrate the Program Directors and Assistant Program Directors leading our expanded DYCD portfolio this year:
- Derrica Kearney, Program Director — J.H.S. 062 Ditmas
- Michael Cololt-Torres, Assistant Program Director — J.H.S. 062 Ditmas
- Shavel Adamson — J.H.S. 223 The Montauk
- Jenny Hernandez, Program Director — P.S. 124 Silas B. Dutcher
- Nadine Calizte, Assistant Program Director — P.S. 124 Silas B. Dutcher
- Massiel Franco, Program Director — I.S. 238 Susan B. Anthony Academy
- Esha Ayala, Assistant Program Director — I.S. 238 Susan B. Anthony Academy
- Tziah Humpherys, Program Director — P.S. 165 Robert E. Simon
- Brandon Taylor, Program Director — The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, Elementary School
- Sofia Rinvil, Program Director — The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, Middle School
- Marcus Bazemore, Program Director — M.S. 839
- Jasmine Jackson, Program Director — Red Hook Neighborhood School
- Tyanna Bolston, Program Director — School of the Future Brooklyn
Our Program Directors and Assistant Program Directors play an essential role in transforming our vision into meaningful experiences for young people. They build strong school partnerships, support and develop staff, shape engaging programming, and help create welcoming environments where students and families feel a sense of connection and belonging.
As our teams settle into their programs, we are excited to see this preparation come to life, through new relationships, creative projects, meaningful conversations, joyful experiences, and countless opportunities for young people to discover what they can do.
Here’s to new programs, strong partnerships, dynamic leaders, and a new school year filled with opportunities to awaken possibilities for every young person we serve!
