On Thursday, May 5, Bank Street faculty, staff, alumni, and friends gathered for the Centennial Bank Street College Alumni Association (BSCAA) Awards Ceremony, which recognized six exceptional Graduate School alumni for their outstanding contributions to the field of education.
The honorees were made up of teachers, leaders, administrators, and advisors who have spent their lives deeply engaged in a mission to improve the education of children and their teachers. They have worked for decades in classrooms, museums, and for organizations that support this commitment and have made remarkable strides in instituting change in their respective fields.
“Education has the ability to level the playing field for everyone,” said Laura Ensler, GSE ‘95, founder of FirstStepNYC in Brownsville, Brooklyn. “At FirstStepNYC, we work to provide the highest quality care for our children and families, which symbolizes so much of what I’ve learned and experienced since my earliest days at Bank Street.”
Other award recipients included Maritza McDonald, GSE ’78; Jonathan Silin, GSE ’70; Wendy Pollock, GSE ’88; Gary Crow, GSE ’80; and Lucy West, GSE ’88. After brief introductions, the honorees took the stage to formally accept their award and offer the audience a snapshot of their life’s work. Held annually, the ceremony offers the Bank Street community the opportunity to come together and reflect on how the College’s distinct values shape and guide its graduates in their practice.