AwardAward Volume XXIV, No. 2 • New York City • NOV/DEC 2018 www.EducationUpdate.com

Winner CUTTING EDGE NEWS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE

UPDATE

THE EDUCATION THE

PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. THOMAS BAILEY PRESORTED STANDARD PRESORTED PRESIDENT, TEACHERS COLLEGE 2 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

GUEST EDITORIALS Education Update

MAILING ADDRESS: Pathways to The College of Touro College: 695 Park Avenue, Ste. E1509, NY, NY 10065 Email: [email protected] www.EducationUpdate.com Tel: 212-650-3552 Fax: 212-410-0591 PUBLISHERS: Progress: Staten Island A Place Where Pola Rosen, Ed.D., Adam Sugerman, M.A. ADVISORY COUNCIL: April Bedford, Ph.D., Dean of Education, Brooklyn Strategic Is Entering a Knowledge and College; Dominic Brewer, Ph.D., Dean of Education, New York University Steinhardt; Mark Cannizzaro, Pres., CSA; Christine Cea, Ph.D., NYS Board of Planning and New Era of Values Meet Regents; Mary Driscoll, Ph.D., Dean, CCNY; Shelia Evans-Tranumn, Chair, Board of Trustees, Casey Family Programs Foundation; Scott Evenbeck, Ph.D., President, Guttman Community College, CUNY; Outcomes Excellence, Charlotte K. Frank, Ph.D., Sr. Advisor, McGraw- Hill; Joan Freilich, Ph.D., Trustee, College of New Rochelle; Andrew Gardner, Director, BrainPOP Creating the Educators; Kenneth Gold, Ph.D., Dean of Education, College of Staten Island; Cynthia Greenleaf, Ed.M., J.D., Former Dir. of Partnerships, Chicago Public Opportunity to Schools; Donne Kampel, Ph.D., Dean, Touro College; Augusta S. Kappner, Ph.D., President Emerita, Bank St. College; Harold Koplewicz, M.D., Pres., Child Mind Institute; Shenzhan Liao, Director of Education, Ascend China Institute; Cecelia McCarton, M.D., Dir., The McCarton Center; Craig Michaels, Ph.D., Dean of Education, Queens College; Michael Mulgrew, Pres., UFT; Eric Nadelstern, Prof. of Educational Leadership, Teachers College; Alfred S. Posamentier, Ph.D., LIU; Rose Rudnitski, Dean, School of Education, Mercy College; John Russell, Ed.D., Head, Windward School; Michael Sampson, Ph.D., Dean of Education, St. John’s University; Debra Shanley, Ph.D., Dean School of Education, Lehman College; Ronald P. Stewart, Head, York Prep; Adam By DR. ALAN KADISH Sugerman, Publisher, Palmiche Press MANAGING EDITOR: Touro College was founded in 1970 to edu- By DR. CONRADO “BOBBY” Adam Sugerman cate, to serve, to perpetuate and to enrich the GEMPESAW, PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATE EDITORS: historic Jewish tradition of tolerance and dig- Heather Rosen Faulkner, Rob Wertheimer ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY nity through education. With almost fifty years SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR: Lydia Liebman When I joined St. John’s University more of experience, I would like to report on what we STAFF WRITERS: than four years ago, I expressed confidence have accomplished and how we rely upon our Jan Aaron, Joan Baum, Ph.D., Miranda Goodwin-Raab, that St. John’s can overcome the daunting mission to drive successful outcomes. Gillian Granoff, Merryl Kafka, Ed.D., Sybil Maimin, challenges of higher education and continue to Touro’s founding vision sets us apart in four Samantha Nazareth, M.D. thrive as one of the nation’s premier Catholic distinct ways: GUEST COLUMNIST: By DR. WILLIAM J. FRITZ Katie Diament; Mariko Fukuoka, Ph.D.; Brenda Green, universities. Guided by a shared vision of a First, its dual mission, and to help build a Ph.D.; Margaux Montagner; Jason Ohler, Ph.D.; better and stronger St. John’s, the University Over roughly the last five years, the College better society for all to strengthen Jewish life; Leonard Quart, Ph.D.; Assembly Member Rebecca A. embarked on a consensus-driven approach of of Staten Island has experienced a transforma- Second, the community-oriented values we Seawright; Dana Stahl; John Tanacredi, Ph.D. BOOK REVIEWS: identifying and planning the implementation of tion. It has not gone unnoticed — the College imbue in our graduates; Joan Baum, Ph.D., Merri Rosenberg four strategic priorities: is now showing up on virtually all of the major Third, our commitment to career guidance, LAW EDITOR: • Ensure student success. rankings of America’s Best Colleges, from which points our students toward meaningful Arthur Katz, J.D. • Recruit, recognize, and retain the best fac- Forbes’ to U.S. News & World Report’s to the professions. LAW REPORTER & ETHICIST: ulty, staff, and administrators. Wall Street Journal’s. Fourth, the willingness to adapt to changing Jacob Appel, M.D., J.D. MATHEMATICS EDITOR: • Enhance our teaching and learning environ- I’m excited to think of what lies ahead needs that has always been part of the Jewish Alfred Posamentier, Ph.D. ment. because we are clearly entering an era of excel- Tradition. MEDICAL EDITOR: • Expand global and community partnerships. continued on page 14 Touro’s core values are drawn from our Herman Rosen, M.D., F.A.C.P. Four years after establishing these priorities, Jewish heritage which focuses simultaneously MOVIE & THEATER REVIEWS: St. John’s is now better prepared and posi- on individual development and the greater Jan Aaron SPORTS EDITOR: tioned to react to market forces and to move IN THIS ISSUE good. Touro’s 19,200 students, enrolled at over Mike Cohen forward without wavering from our founding 30 colleges and schools in four states and four Guest Editorials...... 2, 4 ART DIRECTOR: Vincentian mission to provide an affordable, countries, are educated to believe that return on Neil Schuldiner Colleges & Grad Schools. .4, 9, 14, 22, 24, 26 quality, Catholic education to all — especially investment refers both to economic prosperity VIDEOGRAPHER: Spotight on Schools...... 6 Carlos del Rosario to those most in need. Music ...... 6, 10 and social justice. This action-oriented approach to planning Scholarship and the Jewish Intellectual Education Update is an independent newspaper, which is published Rebecca Seawright...... 9, 17 bimonthly by Education Update, Inc.. All material is copyrighted is led by a representative group called the Book Reviews...... 11 Tradition and may not be printed without express consent of the publisher. Strategic Priorities Review Team, which is Law...... 11, 13 The Jewish Intellectual Tradition has been POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Education Update; composed of a cross-section of our diverse K–12 Trends...... 12 characterized for several millenia by the pursuit 695 Park Avenue, Ste. E1509, New York, NY 10065-5024. University community, including the active Ethics...... 13 of truth through logical inquiry and an empha- Subscription: Annual $30. participation of students. The team monitors STEM...... 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 26 sis on education. This tradition has produced a Copyright © 2018 Education Update the University-wide implementation of the Health...... 17 high rate of engagement with higher education, Connect with Education Update Sports...... 19 on these social media outlets: Strategic Priorities Action Plan and provides History & Social Studies . . .19, 27, 29 longstanding almost universal literacy and in timely updates at annual academic and admin- Movie Review...... 25 the past few centuries, outstanding achieve- istrative retreats where data-driven analyses Obituary...... 31 ments in fields as diverse as music, philosophy, continued on page 14 continued on page 14 NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 3

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GUEST EDITORIAL Supreme Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan aking eachers T T Honored at Hunter College College’s Impact to Scale By PRESIDENT THOMAS BAILEY, TEACHERS COLLEGE WhiteHouse.gov Since being named Teachers College’s president this past spring, I’ve been repeatedly asked two questions. “Why did you want this job?” and “What are you planning to do?” The answers to the first question are easy: Because of TC’s extraordinary history of inventing new fields and guiding the nation and the world through key peri- ods of change. Because our College has always been a powerful, finely-tuned instrument for creating better lives and life chances for all people. Because we have the breadth of exper- tise to tackle the world’s most complex problems. And above all, because of the President Barack Obama talks with Justice Elena Kagan and Chief Justice John remarkable graduates that we produce. Roberts before Kagan’s Investiture Ceremony at the Supreme Court in 2010 There are countless examples of people who came to the College with a passion By LYDIA LIEBMAN tions that could be helpful to the students in to change the world, learned essential Recently, Hunter College honored Supreme the audience about how to chart a career path. skills and made essential contacts here, Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan with She spoke about her journey through college and have since gone on to fulfill their an Honorary Degree. Justice Kagan attended at Princeton University as a history major and aspirations. They run the gamut from Hunter College Elementary School (’71) and eventually went to law schools “for all the young to old, and they represent a vast Hunter College High School (’77) and is part wrong reasons”. She found that she loved law diversity of backgrounds and cultures. of a strong Hunter College legacy; her mother school and especially enjoyed studying law. “I To share the stories of just two who Gloria (a Hunter College graduate) taught at thought you could really make a different with have been much on our minds lately: Hunter College Elementary School for 20 years it,” she said, “law matters.” She said that seren- Samuel Totten (Ed.D. ’85), Professor the here and now. and her brother eventually went on to teach at dipity played a large part in her career; she said Emeritus at the University of Arkansas at And that leads to the answer to the second Hunter College High School. In her opening that when she was Dean at Harvard Law School Fayetteville, is one of the world’s leading question I’m frequently asked – “So, what remarks, Hunter College President Jennifer she considered quitting law until she received genocide scholars. He would deserve mention are you planning to do?” On one level, the Raab praised Justice Kagan for her trailblaz- the call for Solicitor General, which eventually here simply for his groundbreaking scholarship answer is simple: everything I possibly can to ing career. “You have brought honor to the led to her appointment to the Supreme Court. documenting atrocities in some of the world’s increase that impact. In reality, of course, that’s educational institutions that helped prepare She offered good advice: “You shouldn’t plan most afflicted regions. But in “retirement,” Dr. a complex challenge. One thing I have learned you beginning with the Hunter College campus too much…you should be open to new pos- Totten, who is 69 years old, has gone a step from my previous work, which has focused on schools. You have truly fulfilled the Hunter sibilities, new things and keep an eye out for further: He makes periodic trips to Sudan to improving America’s community colleges, is motto: The Care of the Future is Mine. And you when they come along.” personally deliver truckloads of food to villag- that advancing ideas for reform is not enough. are also the perfect role model for one of my Dean Manning also asked Justice Kagan to ers in the Nuba Mountains, where the nation’s We need to change institutions so that there is favorite sayings: “You can always tell a Hunter explain how the Supreme Court works. Justice government has been conducting a scorched- a pathway for each student and each person, girl, but you can’t tell her much!” Kagan went over the nuts-and-bolts of the earth campaign. at every phase of life. At TC, then, we must Justice Kagan gave a thoughtful speech upon court; how cases are selected, how cases prog- Or take Sayu Bohjwani (Ph.D. ’14). She ensure that we attract and support the best stu- receiving her Honorary Doctorate. “In my ress, and how the justices eventually reach a is the founding director of New American dents, increase our research funding, and assure family, this is better than receiving the Nobel decision. One particularly interesting question Leaders, a nonprofit that recruits and trains the coherence of our programs and course Prize!” She reflected upon her experiences at was if opinions ever do actually change during first- and second-generation Americans to run offerings. We must take a comprehensive and Hunter College High School fondly and praised a case. Justice Kagan said that oral arguments for political office. On Election Day this year, holistic view of our own students’ pathways. Hunter College as a place where the American can have an impact. “All of us move back and 50 candidates recruited by NAL are appearing And ultimately, we must work with each other dream can indeed come true. Immediately fol- forth over the course of reading the briefs and on ballots nationwide. Dr. Bhojwani, who pre- and with practitioners to create solutions broad lowing the ceremony, Justice Kagan sat down hearing arguments on a fair number of cases,” viously served as New York City’s first com- enough to address major societal issues yet suf- with the Dean of Harvard Law School, John F. she said. After Dean Manning interviewed missioner of Immigrant Affairs, is also author ficiently nuanced to work in different cultures Manning. Justice Kagan, she took questions from stu- of the recently published book People Like and contexts. Dean Manning asked Justice Kagan a great dents including two fifth graders, a high school Us: The New Wave of Candidates Knocking at I’m proud to say that we are currently apply- range of questions. Among them, Dean Manning senior, and two college students. Democracy’s Door (The New Press). ing just such a comprehensive approach to asked Justice Kagan about her mother, Gloria, Justice Kagan ended her time by thank- Again, that kind of commitment to creat- helping American colleges and universities who achieved almost legendary status as an ing Hunter College, Hunter College High ing a more just and equitable world is part better serve students from poor, minority and educator. “My mother had very high standards. School and Hunter College Elementary School. of TC’s DNA. Like all great universities and immigrant backgrounds. With the United States She really believed that you were wasting your “[They] so made me the person I am more than colleges, we are home to brilliant people doing on pace to become a majority non-white nation time if you were not living up to your potential. any other educational institution. By the time fascinating work. But what truly sets us apart is by 2045, these students literally represent the That message came through loud and clear”. I got out of Hunter High School, I was pretty that – from shaping more effective teaching to future of our country. “They” are us, and – as She said she applies her mothers’ advice in her much what you see. I will be endlessly grateful getting entire communities to embrace healthier visionaries at TC have always understood – if own life and in her teaching at Harvard Law to all the administrators and faculty members lifestyles – we directly apply our knowledge in we fail them, we fail ourselves. # School. Dean Manning also asked her ques- and fellow students for doing that.” # NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 5 6 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Ann Tisch’s Student Leadership Grammy Nominated Vocalist Network Honors Three Jean Baylor Joins Manhattan Outstanding Leaders School of Music Faculty

2018 Honorees, Valerie Radwaner and Bruce Mosler

By LYDIA LIEBMAN one that asked what has inspired her activism. Student Leadership Network, formerly known “What’s happening in our world is encouraging at the Young Women’s Leadership Network, me to stretch out of my comfort zone and to use celebrated its annual (Em)Power Breakfast at my voice as a platform in ways that I think in Cipriani this fall. This year celebrated 22 years the past might have frightened me. That fear is since founders Ann and Andrew Tisch opened outweighed by my desire to be of service and their first school, the Young Women’s Leadership help encourage change,” she said. She also gave School (TYWLS) in East Harlem. Upon opening credit to her mother (the legendary Diana Ross) the first all-girls public school in the United States for always being a great inspiration to her. Jean Baylor in 30 years, the Tisch’s started a revolution for The second award was given to Bruce Mosler, girls and education in New York City and beyond. Chairman of Global Brokerage at Cushman and Multiple Grammy nominee Jean Baylor is Traditional R&B Performance for Original Over two decades later, the newly renamed orga- Wakefield. In his prominent position, he advis- proud to announce that she has joined the Composition, solidifying The Baylor Project as nization is as vibrant and important as ever: there es major tenants and investors on strategic real faculty at Manhattan School of Music. Starting an undeniable force. are 2,500 students at five TYWLS New York City estate matters, managing key client relation- this semester, Jean will be teaching Jazz Voice Jean has been a featured guest artist in per- district public schools and another 6,500 students ships on behalf of the firm globally. Recognized and Ensembles in the Jazz Arts program, under formances and recordings with Yellowjackets, at affiliates around the country. Nearly 100% of as the “Man We Love”, Mosler expressed how the direction of Jazz Arts Director Stefon Kenny Garrett, Buster Williams, Marcus graduates are accepted to college and able to ben- important it is for women to be supported in Harris. Miller, Stefon Harris, Jimmy Greene, Eric efit from the nearly $123 million in financial aid education and in the workplace. “There are With 25 years of experience as an accom- Benet, Jose James, Will Downing, Naughty By that TYWLS students have received since 2001. more women entering the STEM arena than plished recording artist, songwriter, producer Nature, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, and others. This year, three outstanding models of leader- there ever has been and I think it’s a vital part and performer, Jean Baylor has generations of Well-equipped with an agile mezzo-soprano ship were honored: actress Tracee Ellis Ross, of pushing this nation forward,” he said. musical influence that she has carefully crafted range, Jean’s voice has been described as attorney Valerie Radwaner, and businessman The final recognition went to Valerie Radwaner. into her own distinct vocal stylings. After grad- sweet, sultry and poignant; she combines a Bruce Mosler. Ms. Ross was the first to be Radwaner is the Deputy Chair of Paul, Weiss and uating from Temple University having studied fresh, whimsical approach to phrasing with honored, continuing an (Em)Power Breakfast a member of the firm’s Management Committee. Jazz Vocal Performance, she made her mark as clever improvisation resulting in singing of tradition of honoring stars from the ABC com- In her position, she works to develop, oversee, one-half of the platinum recording duo, Zhane, such vocal purity that embraces the soul. edy series “Black-ish” (Both “Black-ish” creator and implement the firm’s strategic priorities. influencing a generation of music listeners into Having come full circle, Jean is passionate Kenya Barris and young star Yara Shahidi had She is a member of the Global Advisory Board a new genre, Neo-Soul. about utilizing her skills to impact the next been previously honored by the organization). of Women in Law Empowerment Forum and Further developing as a songwriter, Jean generation of music professionals. Ross is a graduate of Brown University and also sits on the Thomson Reuters Women’s composed songs for popular artists and major “I am extremely excited to join the MSM one of Hollywood’s most prominent actresses. Transformative Leadership Advisory Board. motion picture soundtracks. Shifting her focus Faculty for jazz voice. I enjoy sharing my She has received numerous awards including a Radwaner offered some excellent advice to the to business ownership, Jean teamed up with approach to jazz music and beyond and look Golden Globe and an NAACP Image Award for young women in attendance. “Use your voice! her husband, Marcus Baylor, to create an inde- forward to being an integral part of the stu- three years in a row. She uses her platform to Make sure that your voice is heard,” she said. pendent record label, Be A Light and formed dents’ learning and growth experience,” says bring awareness to many important issues includ- “Treat all people with respect. She also echoed a new musical union, The Baylor Project, an Jean of her new appointment. ing inclusivity and equity and has been at the fore- the sentiment made famous by Michelle Obama: enticingly innovative approach to jazz which Jean joins an illustrious faculty at MSM that front of the Me Too movement in recent months. when they go low, we go high. And like Tracee encompasses their combined influences of gos- includes Ron Carter, Buster Williams, David Following in a relatively new format for the Ellis Ross, Radwaner also counted her mother as pel, blues and soul, all while bridging the gap Liebman, Bobby Sanabria, Regina Carter, and breakfast, Ross took part in Q&A with a student, a huge influence in her life. between generations. Their debut release, “The Vincent Herring, among others. in this particular instance over Skype. Ross was In conclusion, this year’s (Em)Power Journey” received two GRAMMY® nomina- More information about Manhattan School asked a number of great questions including Breakfast was as inspiring as ever. # tions for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best of Music can be found online at msmnyc.edu. # NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 7 Their Dreams Have No Limits. !"Their#$%"&'()$ Dreams*"+,-$%."&&(/ — loohcS thgiwD fo margorp enilno eht — labolG thgiwD labolG — eht enilno margorp fo thgiwD loohcS — Have No Limits. while receiviWhyng a wo Shouldrld-class educa tionTheir. Students School? can train, travel, compete, and perform without missing school. Dwight Global — the online program of Dwight School — off ers students pursuing their passions a fl exible schedule while receiving a world-class private school education. Students can train, travel, compete, and perform without missing school.

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For more information and for tickets, visit childmind.org childmind.org/2018benefit. NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 9

Duffield Receives Engineering̓s Specialty High School Highest Alumni Honor at Cornell Admissions/Proposed Changes By BLAINE FRIEDLANDER and Need for Discussion Cornell’s College of Engineering presented David A. Duffield ’62, MBA ’64, with the By NYS ASSEMBLY MEMBER Math and ELA exam scores and inaugural Cornell Engineering Distinguished REBECCA A. SEAWRIGHT (2) their 7th grade English, math, Alumni Award — its highest alumni honor As a member of the Education social studies and science course — which recognizes extraordinary leadership, Committee of the New York State grades compared to others in their

vision, and bringing distinction to the college. Brand Communications Cornell Assembly, I voted “NO” on the school. Furthermore, any student “The college has produced many extraor- bill introduced near the end of the would have to be in the top 25% dinary and talented engineers in its 150-year last legislative session that sought of top ranking students to earn history. Graduates in my opinion have changed to substantially change the admis- admissions. whole industries. … It’s been a wonderful sions criteria of Specialty High During the phase out process, privilege as a dean to meet these people,” Schools (SHS) and to eliminate the the SHSAT will gradually be said Lance Collins, the Joseph Silbert Dean of specialized high school admission eliminated as an admissions cri- Engineering, who presented Duffield the award test (SHSAT). teria. During the first year, 75% of recently. The bill was announced on a admits will be based on the exam An engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and Friday in June with a vote then score (25% will be granted to the philanthropist, Duffield founded six compa- immediately scheduled on the following top 3% of each middle school), the second year nies, including two highly successful busi- Wednesday at the Education Committee. I will see a 50/50 split between SHSAT score ness enterprise software firms, PeopleSoft and stand by my vote and public statement at that admits and the top 5% from each middle school Workday. time. Expressing my strong reservations, I until eventually the new admissions process Collins said that Cornell Engineering blends insisted we need input from all stakeholders, of the stated middle school academic record rigorous fundamentals with a sense of practical public hearings, the opportunity for views to from middle school is in place. Special note mission. “Dave, you embody the best of these Lance Collins, the Joseph Silbert Dean be aired, questioned asked and answered and (one which will affect many families) is that ideals. It is really remarkable,” said Collins. for all communities to be heard. Shortly there- prospective students who are not already in the of Engineering, right, awards David “You have a nose for [exploring] gaps in soft- after the Committee meeting, at which the bill NYC public school system will have a much Duffield with the Cornell Engineering ware, where there are opportunities … to fill narrowly passed in a contentious environment, less likely chance of gaining a seat in one of our Distinguished Alumni Award – the those gaps with really interesting companies, the Assembly leadership wisely withdrew the Specialty High Schools as those with at least a with really interesting cultures.” college's highest alumni honor. bill from consideration. But the subject is far GPA of 93 (A-) will enter into a lottery for any David Duffield speaks with Lance Collins from over. remaining seats. after receiving the Cornell Engineering Duffield explained that his father, who did So last week, I co-sponsored with the It was apparent that there are no simple Distinguished Alumni Award. not attend college, instilled in him a love for Education Committee of Community Board 8, solutions to balance maintaining academic “Most important is your sense of personal aerospace engineering. But his career trajectory a Forum on the issues. The event confirmed my standards with increasing diversity and fair- mission. You’re trying to improve the lives of changed when Duffield took a computer pro- belief in how essential public discourse is on ness. So we organized and presented a panel the millions of people who use your software gramming class taught by Bill Maxwell, now these educational policies. that offered different perspectives on the situ- and the thousands of people who work with the Andrew Schultz Jr. Professor Emeritus of The room was over-flowing with interested ation — Larry Cary, a Brooklyn Technical you, and I admire both of those greatly — and Engineering. Duffield said he performed poorly parents and guardians. There were over-flowing High School alumnus who believes the test I use those lessons in my own work,” said in the class, but Maxwell gave him the chance passions as well; expressions of concern by should remain as an academic standard; Collins. “Thank you for being an incredible to retake it. Maxwell and Duffield eventually family members about the future of their chil- David Bloomfield, a Professor of Educational example to us all.” became partners in one of Duffield’s early busi- dren. Critical for me, as an elected representa- Leadership at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Duffield has a long history of giving back ness ventures, and Maxwell proudly sat in the tive, was the opportunity to listen to the ques- Graduate Center, who is opposed to the sin- to the university. His naming gift for Duffield front row when Duffield accepted his award. tions being asked. Quite frankly, it was impor- gle test being a measure; and Amy Hsin, a Hall enabled the construction of one of the top Duffield also offered words of wisdom for tant to bear witness to the genuine anxiousness Professor of Sociology at Queens College and a nanoscale facilities in the country and provides budding engineers. “When you graduate, join in the room regarding proposed changes that member of the NYC School Diversity Advisory a location that is the heart and soul of the a great company. I joined IBM. … Today it would upset the educational plans that many of Committee, who reflected on the qualities of College of Engineering. He also funded the would be Amazon, Microsoft, Apple … and of my constituents have for their children. “deservedness” and “work ethic” and the judg- Workday Atrium in Gates Hall and Workday course Workday is a great company,” Duffield As part of the evening program, they heard ments made about each. It was a robust, highly Labs and other named spaces in Gates, Phillips, said, and smiled when mentioning his new directly from representatives of the NYC informative discussion. Rhodes, and Sage halls. Duffield was named venture Ridgeline, a software development Department of Education (DOE) about the pro- The discussion we began in our District will Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996. company. “Ridgeline. Join our team. We’ve got posed plan, which would phase out the SHSAT continue. Though the next legislative session is Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, founded another A Team.” over a three-year period — something most not scheduled until January, 2019, and the next Maddie’s Fund, which supports companion More advice followed. “Be in sales. Be aware in the room had not actually seen before our NYS Executive Budget will be the predominate animal welfare and promotes no-kill animal that it is important that your company sell its Forum. The DOE presented the multiple factors focus through the Spring, we must prudently shelters across the country. Through this fund, products, whether you’re in administration or the proposal set forth for future admissions. The use the time now to tap community input. We the Duffields created and continue to sup- development — you have got to be in sales,” proposal includes expanding the Discovery must continue to listen and learn and enlighten port the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program he said. Program to 20% of the seats at each Specialty each other before we consider any changes that at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Duffield also emphasized the importance High School (until the SHSAT is phased out will affect many future generations of NYC which has a strong partnership with the SPCA of innovation. “Go to this great company and over three years). The Discovery Program is a residents. We must be prepared to reject any of Tompkins County. look around for a problem to solve. Do it well, summer program that provides enrichment that rush to judgment. Before receiving the Distinguished Alumni whether you’re helping sell a new customer or helps high-performing, economically disadvan- Anyone wishing to get a copy of the DOE’s Award, Duffield shared insights with the dean helping to fix a customer problem,” he said. taged students gain admissions to the Specialty presentation regarding the proposed changes and the Phillips Hall audience, discussing his Finally, he said, hone communica- High Schools. Over a three-year period, the to SHSAT may contact my office by phone at college days (which included playing varsity tion skills, particularly writing and pre- DOE would phase out the SHSAT and offer (212) 288-4607 or by email at seawrightr@ baseball and playing bass in a rock band) and senting. And “Work your tail off.” # admissions to the top 7% of students from each nyassembly.gov. # his own career — which started at IBM in Reprinted with permission from Cornell DOE public middle school, with consideration NYS Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Rochester, New York, following graduation. Chronicle. given to (1) their 7th grade New York State represents the 76th District. 10 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Town Hall Honors Laurie Anderson, Bob th Hurwitz, and Charles Hull at Its 97 Gala

(L-R) Robert Hurwitz, Laurie Anderson, Charles Hull, Tom Wirtshafter

By LYDIA LIEBMAN when we celebrate our 100th anniversary! Our The Town Hall celebrated its 97th Gala programming grows more exciting each day,” Celebration recently at the Princeton Club he said. in New York City. The momentous occa- The first award was presented to Charles Harpist Edmar Castañeda sion honored three incredible artistic pio- Hull. Hull founded TheaterWorksUSA with neers with The Town Hall Friend of the Arts the late Jay Harnick and Bob Adams in 1961. Award: Multimedia Performance Artist Laurie Under his 39-year tenure, TheaterWorksUSA Anderson, TheaterWorksUSA Co-Founder grew to become America’s largest and fore- Charles Hull, and former Nonesuch Records most Equity theatre for young audiences. Upon President Robert Hurwitz. receiving the award, Hull expressed his aston- The evening began with an exceptional per- ishment at having been considered. “I have formance featuring a virtuosic trio consisting roamed the halls of Town Hall for about half of Israeli clarinetist Anat Cohen, Argentinean a century and looking at the pictures of all the vocalist Sofia Rei, and Colombian harpist greats on the walls, the idea of my picture join- Edmar Castañeda. Each respected musicians ing them is just overwhelming.” in their own right, together the three of them The second award of the evening was present- brought the audience to their feet with stirring ed to NoneSuch Records President Emeritus renditions of songs that originated in Latin Robert Hurwitz. Robert Hurwitz was at the America by composers such as Violeta Parra, helm of NoneSuch for 32 years. To this day, Cartola, and Astor Piazzolla, among others. All NoneSuch Records is one of the most diverse in attendance were stunned to learn that this and influential record labels in the world boast- was the trio’s first performance together. ing a roster of incredible creative talents includ- The award ceremony portion commenced ing Bill Frisell, Steve Reich, Randy Newman, across the hall in the dining room. Before Pat Metheny, Lake Street Dive and co-honoree the award presentations got underway, the Laurie Anderson. Because of their close work- Town Hall President Tom Wirtshafter said a ing relationship over the years, Anderson gave few words. He thanked Town Hall’s many an introduction to Hurwitz. She praised him for donors and supporters and quickly introduced all the work he has done for music and spoke President Emeritus Marvin Leffler to the podi- about their collaborations over the years. In Clarinetist Anat Cohen and vocalist Sofia Rei um. He remarked on how this year celebrates his acceptance speech, Hurwitz talked about Leffler’s 40th anniversary of service to Town his affection for Town Hall and how his first ics whiz, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. ence using a “pillow speaker” in her mouth. The Hall resulting in 10,000 days of work at the concert there, a John Coltrane tribute, showed She has performed at Town Hall for over four resulting sound was something like a violin. organization. Leffler came to the microphone him the beauty of New York. decades and has even released a recording The joyous evening was filled with warmth and brought the attendees to laughter multiple The final award was then presented to Laurie recorded live there titled Live in New York. and appreciation for the venerable institution times with several witty jokes. He spoke about Anderson. Anderson has been active on the Robert Hurwitz introduced Anderson this time that is Town Hall. The new season of program- the exciting future in store at the organization arts scene since the early 1970s. She is a true around and he profiled her long and diverse ming boasts an incredible lineup including and about the importance of supporting it. “I renaissance woman; she is a visual artist, poet, career. For her acceptance speech, in signature Audra McDonald, Esperanza Spalding, Abbi am very excited about what lies ahead in 2021 composer, photographer, filmmaker, electron- Laurie Anderson fashion, she sang to the audi- Jacobson, and others. # NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 11

BOOK REVIEW Akhil Reed Amar Gives Talk on the Children of Monsters: Supreme Court at Roosevelt House An Inquiry into the Sons and Daughters of Dictators By LYDIA LIEBMAN to unpack the court by repealing the expansion Children of Monsters: An Inquiry into the to how “interesting” or “important” they are Recently, Professor Akhil Reed Amar gave of the judiciary. Interestingly, Amar explained, Sons and Daughters of Dictators and how much can be learned about them. a compelling talk at the Roosevelt House titled Roosevelt, who was elected primarily to “fix Svetlana Stalin gets a lot of attention because “Filling the Court: From Midnight Judges things”, was unable to make an impact on the By Jay Nordlinger she wrote memoirs and because she has been to Court Packing to Garland, Gorsuch, and court during his first term because there were Encounter Books, 268 pp., $16.99 [orig. pub. 2015]. written about, especially when she became Kavanaugh. Amar, Sterling Professor of Law no retirements on the court. FDR attempted to an American citizen (she registered with the and Political Science, Yale University, is con- grow the court to 10 seats, but was jammed. Republican Party and donated money to the sidered one of the country’s pre-eminent In response, he nominates Justice Hugo Black, By JOAN BAUM, Ph.D. National Review). constitutional scholars. He has taught at Yale who made a huge impact on transforming Nordlinger repeatedly notes that succession University for over 30 years and counts sev- American constitutional law. This may not be the kind of book to try to read was only through the male line but that sons eral prominent figures as his students includ- “When you jam a president, he may find in one sitting. What’s the cognitive equivalent and daughters sometimes exerted great power, ing senators Chris Coons and Cory Booker as ways of jamming you back,” he said. He of eyes glazing over that would describe taking especially if they stayed on or remained tight well as Justice Brett Kavanaugh. explained the nature of the appointments in 20 chapters of accumulated horror, sadism lipped after their fathers had their siblings and In his informative talk, which was game, which does have an advantage toward and suspended morality by the children and in-laws killed (see particularly Edda Mussolini given around the time of the controversial the president. He expressed his opinion on sometimes grandchildren of pathological politi- in Italy and two Hussein daughters in Iraq). Kavanaugh hearings, Amar discussed the his- the Merrick Garland case and said that while cal leaders of the 20th and 21st century? Even Tellingly, as Nordlinger notes, mass executions tory of filling vacancies on the Supreme he is a Democrat, he does not believe that the if, as here, author Jay Nordlinger, senior edi- did not dissuade most children from keeping Court, which were often politically motivated. seat was “stolen”, as many Democrats claim. tor at National Review, invokes He talked at length about the historical sig- “Democrats won the presidency in 2012, but a breezy, conversational style, nificance of “transformative presidents” and Republicans won the senate in 2014. If you interjecting into his unusual how they shaped the court. He highlighted don’t win the senate along with the presidency, inquiry a personal, incredulous, the great confrontations including Marbury v. it’s not clear that you’re going to get your often witty sense of disbelief. Madison, Abraham Lincoln v. Roger Taney, picks,” he said. Impressively, Nordlinger’s Franklin D. Roosevelt’s court packing plan After giving historical context, Amar took done extensive research, read- and Obama’s fight about Obamacare in the a number of questions. He was asked his ing about and interviewing face of a basically “Reagan court”. The opinion on whether judges should have politi- defectors, analysts, witnesses, relationship between the executive and the cal experience or a political background, friends, former friends. “I have judiciary has been, according to Amar, often his thoughts on the Kavanaugh debacle, and used everything I can, every- fraught with controversy and conflict. Trump’s court picks. One particularly inter- thing possible: every scrap or He spent some time discussing the process esting question regarded the current state of remark or hint” — biographies, of picking judges and replenishing the judi- affairs and why the Supreme Court nomina- memoirs, histories, interviews. ciary. “The constitution makes the process tion process seems to be more divisive than “Around dictators and their chil- of judicial selection very political and then ever. “Was it always like this?” asked an dren, rumors swirl, of course . . it provides judicial independence through audience member. Amar gave some historical . In my job as scavenger, I often tenure thereafter,” he said. He then went on context, which showed that most presidents asked, ‘What smells right?’ to highlight the history of judicial appoint- have generally elected justices that resemble Your nose is an important organ ments starting with George Washington’s their own political party. However, in these in composing a book such as decision to appoint all Federalists to the first modern times, intense political polarization this.” He charmingly apologizes Supreme Court, to John Adams’ attempt to has added to the divisiveness, as has “the rise for relying on words such as pack the lower federal courts and reduce the of primaries and Twitter”. The discussion was “apparently, evidently, report- number of Supreme Court seats from six to highly enlightening and educational; every edly, seemingly,” but guesswork five, followed by Thomas Jefferson’s attempt seat was filled. # was inevitable, he says, though he deigns to draw conclusions from unverifiable hypotheses. murder, terror, and evil.” The idea percolated position.” And so, he admits to writing a “psy- Though the book covers the and so did his list of dictators, but he kept it to chological study” in part, even as he deigns to progeny and the extent to which 20, adding or subtracting “a couple of brutes.” adjudicate between nature and nurture. Many the children were chips off the He notes also that the dictators “are not equal of the children vacillate or deny, subject to old bestial block, it’s impos- in their monstrousness . . . Mobutu of Zaire, opportunism, wealth, ambivalence, the perks sible to know how many chil- for example, was an angel compared with his of power, not to mention the influence of their dren each dictator had. Not the friend and neighbor Bokassa.” In the dictator fathers’ collaborators and of well-wishers from conjugal or monogamous types, business, Nordlinger sardonically adds, “we the grisly past. the dictators had multiple wives and many the family name (recognition breeds power) or sometimes grade on a curve. Franco was a Of course, the key questions are: Why the mistresses. A lot of information about their from declaring defensively, sometimes proudly, lamb compared with our genocidal monsters: book and what should readers take away from families, legit and illegit, remains unknown. most always ambivalently, abiding love for Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, et al.” In short, there it? Nordlinger reminds readers that he is Did Hitler have a child, and did that child have their big-time murdering parent. were monster sons of monster fathers, such as reflecting on “the children’s hour,” not the a child — both of whom, Nordlinger points out, In the Foreword, Nordlinger says the idea of Vasily Stalin, Nico Ceausescu, the Qaddafi, tyrants themselves; that most of the children look like him (check out chapter one)? the book came to him in 2002 when he was vis- Assad and Saddam Hussein boys. But there was were “bit players on the stage of history”; and The list of infamous parents includes, in order iting Albania for the State Department. Enver also a smattering of so-called “comparatively that denying one’s parents is difficult. Even and by region, Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Stalin, Hoxha had been the Communist dictator (and normal people” and a couple who did break Svetlana has fond memories. One should note, Tojo, Mao, Kim, Hoxha, Ceausescu, Duvalier, head of secret police) from 1944 until his death away (Svetlana, and Alina Fernández, Castro’s however, that in the three years since Children Castro, Qaddafi, Assad, Saddam, Khomeini, in 1985, a man who “achieved an almost perfect daughter). of Monsters was first published, North Korea Mobutu, Bokassa, Amin, Mengistu, Pol Pot. tyranny. No one could breathe.” Nordlinger Nordlinger’s conclusion is that the children, and Syria have horrifyingly occupied the world With pictures of each, sometimes with their got to wondering about what it must be like historical footnotes, were / are nonetheless stage in new ways and that Fidel is dead. Their fathers, tyrants’ children get space according “to bear a name synonymous with oppression, still human beings “born into a very strange chapters particularly, therefore, give pause. # 12 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Restorative Justice in Schools Can Offer Teachable Moments By DANA STAHL affected by the incident (i.e., bystanders) get nonsense word in Navajo law due to the focus justice sessions to meet success in the school & ADAM SUGERMAN involved in the resolution with the help of a on healing, integration with the group, and the setting. Each stakeholder —victim, offender, In most of the US before the 1970s, it was a facilitator. Forms of restorative justice — albeit end goal of nourishing ongoing relationships witnesses and other bystanders, classmates, common practice to punish students who mis- with a different name — have been used suc- with the immediate and extended family, rela- and educators — must not feel oppressed to behaved or underperformed with a spanking, cessfully in Africa, the Americas, with the tives, neighbors, and community.” In this light, communicate, or feel threatened in any way; a whack with a wooden ruler or paddle, and Maori of New Zealand. Diné justice prevails as the goal is to negotiate a all participants must be willing to listen and for repeat offenders, public scolding, deten- Within our schools, restorative justice is resolution to the satisfaction of all participants. talk calmly; a program must take into consid- tion, suspension, and expulsion. Other punitive becoming a positive alternative to punitive A restorative justice session could take place eration the needs and empowerment of each measures — retributive justice based on forms measures typically implemented for inappro- as conversations with as few as three partici- stakeholder in the affected communities; and of punishment such as close encounters with priate behavior or conduct, offering teach- pants: the offender, the victim, and the facilita- processes must never impose punishments that the criminal justice system — became more able moments to students. The National tor. But it also takes place with larger groups, exceed the maximum punishment that is stated common, and in most cases, didn’t resolve Collaborative for Academic, Social, and including people who didn’t join directly in in its school policies. many issues. Not for the victims. Not for the Emotional Learning (CASEL) offers programs the dispute. In certain egregious instances, suspensions offenders. And certainly not for the system. aligned with grade specific learning objectives Jennifer Gonzalez, a former teacher and at and expulsions are needed. But alternative Recidivism became more commonplace. A promoting character development through a present, the editor-in-chief of the website Cult- solutions to suspensions and expulsions are school-to-prison pipeline ossified. social-learning curriculum. The goal of restor- of-Pedagogy, reinforces the importance of a crucial because students often make poor deci- In the subsequent decades, systems of distrib- ative justice is to repair students’ standing in circular approach in restorative justice both in sions and their social judgment is not sound. utive justice involving “treatment” of offenders the community so they can move forward with its concepts and its members. “Pulling groups After all, students are children, and educational became more established as more state depart- their peers. of people together into circles for conversa- institutions need to embrace these situations as ments of education reassessed their corrective According to former Navajo Supreme Court tions is one of the most recognizable features of teachable moments, not punitive ones. practices. By 2000, 28 states abolished corporal Chief Justice Robert Yazzie, restorative justice schools that have adopted restorative practices. Although restorative justice has its roots in punishment, but many parents considered that is embedded in the concepts of Diné culture. The circles can take many forms; meditation the criminal justice system, it goes far beyond the pendulum swung too far in the other direc- He states, “Navajo justice is a sophisticated circles when a problem needs to be addressed, dealing with offenders and the mainstream tion when school-based offenses were punished system of egalitarian relationships where group healing circles when group members are hurt- society. The punitive approach does not repair “too leniently” and offending students didn’t solidarity takes the place of force and correc- ing or grieving, or circles that form just for the harm that was done. By removing the puni- “learn their lesson.” As a result, the school-to- tion. In it, humans are not in ranks or status dialogue and storytelling. When circles are a tive component from the offense and emphasiz- prison pipeline became more entrenched than classifications from top to bottom. Instead, all regular part of the school culture, they give ing restorative options, “the debt that is owed to ever. humans are equals and make decisions as a students a vehicle for communicating when society, and the individual harmed is repaid,” A third way is taking hold: Restorative group. There is no precise term for ‘guilty’ in problems arise, rather than handling them in according to Gonzalez. In essence, this is how Justice. The term refers to the approach in the Navajo language. The word guilt implies less constructive ways.” restorative justice in schools can offer teachable which the victim, offender, and other people a moral fault that commands retribution. It is a There are several conditions for restorative moments. # NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 13

LAW & EDUCATION THE ETHICS COLUMN Harvard Freshman DNA Turns Dangerous Selection Litigation By JACOB M. APPEL, MD JD One of the consequences of being convicted By ARTHUR KATZ, JD of a felony, or even merely arrested in many Earlier this year, I briefly wrote about one states, is that one is required to provide a aspect of the current litigation instituted by DNA sample to authorities. These samples are the group “Students for Fair Admissions” (the recorded electronically in the Combined DNA “SFA”) against Harvard College [See the June/ Index System (CODIS), a national database July, 2018 issue of Education Update for back- that can be used to solve additional crimes. ground information concerning the litigation]. At present, more than 17 million offenders The focus of this earlier article was the con- have their DNA stored in this way. What few fidentiality of college applications. However, laypeople realize is that these samples differ the principal issue of the litigation is whether fundamentally from those used by genetics affirmative action can be utilized as part of the researchers or consumer genealogy companies admissions process, by an educational insti- like 23andMe. tution receiving federal funding, in order to CODIS relies on the use of short tandem achieve the type of diverse community which repeats (STRs). These distinctive, non-coding the institution believes is a necessary part of its portions of the genome are highly effective in educational mission. identifying particular individuals — the equiv- The use of affirmative action has been previ- alent of genetic fingerprints — but they do not ously discussed [See the September/October, code for specific traits. In contrast, most genea- Jacob M. Appel, MD JD 2013 and the January/February, 2016 issues of logical and medical research databases rely Education Update] in connection with another upon full-genome sequencing or aggregates of upload DNA — possibly kin as distant as third litigation also sponsored by the SFA. In “Fisher Arthur Katz, JD single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) that do cousins — that may be enough to identify a v. University of Texas at Austin”, the conserva- code for expressed genes. Among the advan- suspect. Once identified, this suspect’s medical tive Justices then on the U.S. Supreme Court In recruiting for its freshman class, more than tages of (STRs) is that they can reveal identities secrets can be unlocked. raised serious questions regarding the need 40,000 completed applications were received while protecting medical privacy. The police Why does this matter? One of the legal and for continued use of affirmative action as part by Harvard for approximately 2,000 slots and, can use CODIS to determine whether a suspect ethical justifications for a wide range of foren- of the holistic approach being taken by most of this pool of applicants, over 3,400 had per- visited a crime scene or committed a sexual sic uses for genetic material — from the CODIS colleges, including Harvard, in determining fect SAT math scores, over 2,700 had perfect assault — but not if he is predisposed to devel- to DNA dragnets — is that the privacy risks to the make-up of its entering freshman class. At SAT verbal scores and over 8,000 of the domes- op diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease. Until now. innocent suspects are truly minimal. Providing that time, the Court permitted the continued tic applicants had perfect high school grade A rather unsettling paper published by DNA samples to the police, the argument runs, use of affirmative action provided that “strict point averages. Michael Edge of Stanford University and col- is merely a hassle — unless you’ve committed scrutiny” was utilized. Strict scrutiny permits What complicates the matter is that, although leagues in the Proceedings of the National an unsolved crime. But Edge’s research reveals the use of affirmative action if a showing can approximately 2,000 freshman slots are avail- Academy of Sciences last year reported that far more danger in this process. No scien- be made that other permitted techniques would able annually, certain applicants are favored STR sequences in the CODIS could be corre- tific limitations keep the authorities from using not accomplish the desired objective. in the first instance, as Harvard has a legacy lated with those in other data sets, even if none that same DNA sample for predicting health The SFA structured the Harvard litigation in system which significantly increases the prob- of the genetic data overlapped directly. It turns risks; more alarming, hackers could breach that an attempt to, again, bring the issue of affirma- ability of admission to qualified students whose out at certain STRs are consistently located database and reveal the linked results on the tive action before the Supreme Court at a time parents or other relatives attended Harvard, as close enough to coding sections of the genome Internet. when the Court has become more conservative. well as to students whose family have made, that researchers — with enough time and effort None of this is reason to abandon forensic As a result, there is a possibility that the use or are expected to make, significant monetary — can trace CODIS data back to specific indi- databases entirely. Yet existing policies were of affirmative action in the college selection contributions to Harvard, to students of “excep- viduals in other data sets and, in theory, then predicated on certain expectations of privacy. process may be coming to an end. tional athletic ability” and to students who are use this data to discover medical information If modern science renders those expectations The underlying facts of the case are inter- children of faculty members. These favored about suspects. Moreover, Yaniv Erlich of the obsolete, a strong argument exists for revisit- esting. In essence, the argument by the SFA groups, which currently are overwhelmingly Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research ing these policies — to reevaluate the ethics of is that Asian-American applicants to Harvard Caucasian, constitute nearly 40 percent of the has shown that these suspects do not need to when and why to require such samples in the are discriminated against and held to a higher high school seniors ultimately admitted to have uploaded their own DNA to commercial context of unforeseen and newly-discovered standard, in favor of both Caucasians as well Harvard. sites for this to prove possible. If relatives risks. # as other minority groups. The SFA says that Although there have been several weeks proof of such discrimination is that the percent- of oral testimony, both Harvard and the SFA a review of academic performance from an and concludes that the SFA study is too weak age of Asian-Americans admitted to Harvard are relying upon, and have submitted to the academically exceptional pool of applicants, to provide reliable statistical evidence of bias. is significant less that the percentage of Asian- District Court, a voluminous expert economic but also is based upon a variety of non-aca- Thus, there is no certainty as to how the Americans applying to Harvard with high aca- analysis of the underlying admissions data to demic factors. The SFA contends that certain District Court will rule but, whatever the rul- demic achievements. bolster their respective claims. Fortunately, of such non-academic factors permit a bias to ing, it is probable that the result will be Although 22.9 percent of this year’s freshman these submissions (with minor redactions) are develop and that this bias has disadvantaged appealed and may slowly wind its way to the class at Harvard is Asian-American, if only aca- part of the court record, are publicly available Asian-Americans. Harvard has countered that U.S. Supreme Court. However, and in the demic achievements were considered, over 40 and are an interesting read. However, differ- the economic study submitted on behalf of the interim, the litigation has revealed a significant percent of the class would be Asian-American. ent conclusions are reached depending on the SFA fails to include some non-academic factors amount of information concerning the admis- At the same time, 15.2 percent of Harvard’s particular study. as they are much harder to quantify, and that sion process at Harvard, how applications are freshman class is African-American and 12.3 The Harvard study claims that the SFA study the SFA study does not adequately consider considered, the preference given to legacy and percent is Latino. Harvard contends (and the is flawed, while the SFA study argues that the overall context of an applicant’s applica- others applicants, and the imperfections of the SFA appears to agree) that if race were not able Harvard’s conclusions contain an unconscious tion, such as the quality of the applicant’s high process. # to be considered during the admissions process, bias against Asian-Americans. Harvard alleges school, the applicant’s socioeconomic circum- Arthur Katz, a corporate attorney, is Of the percentage of African-American admittees that the SFA does not understand the full nature stances and the resources and opportunities that Counsel to the New York City law firm of would significantly decline. of its selection process, which includes not just may, or may not, be available to the applicant, Otterbourg, P.C. 14 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

College of Staten Island Touro College Pathways to Progress responsive and responsible society. Our gradu- continued from page 2 continued from page 2 ates gain the knowledge needed to succeed in continued from page 2 lence. Our new strategic plan, “Opportunity to and medicine. their chosen careers and develop a commitment are shared and evaluated. At these retreats, col- Ascend,” developed through a rigorous cam- Touro’s researchers continue this tradition to the communities in which they live and laborative group discussions consider current pus-wide process with inputs from all corners, simultaneously advancing their fields and con- work. Touro graduates include public service issues in higher education and make informed set us on this path. It comprises six priorities tributing to social good through studies as leaders — judges, educators, and social service recommendations for a path forward. that I reference here to illustrate how they are diverse as the use of marijuana in the treatment innovators — as well as leaders in New York’s To date, our collaborative action-oriented all a part of the College’s new trajectory. of Parkinson’s symptoms, whether volunteer- business and finance sectors. approach to planning has led to a number of “Opportunity to Ascend” has a dual meaning. ing benefits older adults and behavioral risk of National Leader in Healthcare Education successes: First, since our earliest days, our mission has diabetes in the Orthodox community. We strive As we look to the future, we continually • St. John’s enrolls the largest cohort of first- been arrow-straight: to provide access to the to become a university with a vibrant research assess student and societal needs as well as year undergraduate students among all Catholic highest quality education and the “Opportunity culture that produces high-quality, impact-driv- emerging job opportunities. Nowhere is this colleges and universities in the nation, with to Ascend.” However, as an institution we also en research underpinned by technology and more evident than in our medical and health an annual average enrollment of almost 3,150 have that same opportunity: As a “Destination creativity. sciences programs. Some of the best job oppor- first-year students for the past four years. Campus” with a commitment to “Global Community Service Opportunities tunities currently exist in the healthcare field, • Retention rate of first- to second-year stu- Engagement” where students from all over the The influence of these values can be felt and Touro is fast becoming one of the largest dents increased to an average of 84% during world will want to come and study and faculty throughout our programs, but especially within healthcare educational systems in the U.S. Two the last three years — a nearly five percentage will want to spend their careers. our health, counseling and education-related and a half years ago, we opened a new dental point increase from previous years. We have a world-class faculty equal to those at graduate schools, where we provide ongo- school — the first in New York State in 50 • 182 new faculty members have been hired a Top R1 Research University. But we are differ- ing opportunities for community service. Each years. Interest is high, enrollment is full and since 2014. ent. We value “Scholarship Driven Education,” of our school communities buzzes with the a state-of-the-art dental health training facility • Modern teaching and learning technology meaning that whenever you go into the lab of Dan energy of students who are actively pursu- was built to educate the students and serve the tools were installed in more than 80% of class- McCloskey, one of the top 100 young scientists ing knowledge in the lecture halls, while also community. rooms, and state-of-the-art laboratories were in the entire country as recognized by President gaining experiential wisdom amid rich vol- Integrated Honors Tracks and Medical built for various professional programs. Obama, you find undergraduate students helping unteer opportunities beyond the classroom. Honors Pathway programs provide opportuni- • Record fundraising levels have been out with the scholarship. That is something that For example, students at our medical and ties for high-achieving students to combine achieved with the support of alumni and friends. does not occur at those R1 institutions. health sciences schools complete community undergraduate studies with a direct pathway to At St. John’s, we plan and prioritize our One of our celebrated poets, Patricia Smith, services programs as a requirement for gradua- professional education. actions in response to the challenges presented represents the true depth of faculty excel- tion. Opportunities range from teaching senior There is a Jewish phrase, “from generation to by our mission and shared vision. The promise lence found at CSI. Patricia was named a 2018 citizens to use technology at nursing homes to generation” that conveys our purpose — to sus- and pride of a St. John’s University education Pulitzer Prize finalist for her latest collection of using therapeutic horsemanship to help children tain Jewish traditions and values and to make inspire and guide our efforts on our steady path- poetry, Incendiary Art: Poems. This honor fol- with disabilities. the world a better place for the next generation. way to progress. # lowed a series of other prominent awards she As students prepare for graduation, we help As we look to our future, we are informed by Dr. Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw is the received, including the NAACP Image Award them launch careers that are both personally our heritage, which points us toward knowl- President of St. John’s University. for Outstanding Literary Work, the Los Angeles rewarding and beneficial for society at large. edge, compassion, and social justice. # Times Book Prize for poetry, and the Kingsley Jewish and universal values are aligned to edu- Dr. Alan Kadish is president of the Touro Tufts Poetry Award. Additionally, Patricia’s CSI cate thoughtful citizens dedicated to building a College & University Systems. ADVERTISE colleague, Tyehimba Jess, who was the 2017 IN Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry for his book, Olio, was the recipient of a 2018 Guggenheim improve “civic prosperity” (jobs plus quality of for taking students from the lowest two quintiles ducation pdate Fellowship. Both Patricia and Tyehimba were the life). Consider our new Tech Incubator in St. of wealth and moving them to the upper levels. E U main catalysts for The New York Times feature, George on the North Shore of Staten Island, Our alumni make in the top 15% of salaries as in “How CUNY Became Poetry U.” Like Dan, which, in its first cohort, has taken in three busi- the graduates from any institution in the country. PRINT both are involved in teaching undergraduates, nesses that want to be on the North Shore: One We quite literally make the American dream real & ONLINE and Tyehimba makes special requests to teach was founded by a student, one by an international for our students. freshmen students. team, and one by entrepreneurs in Manhattan. For example, History MA student Peter Scasny www.EducationUpdate.com We are a part of Staten Island, not apart from Because of our commitment to “Student has been awarded a Fulbright to Italy, where Staten Island through “Borough Stewardship.” Success” our students go to the best med schools he will be teaching English. At the annual Choose an animated or We are in a unique role to work with the pub- and law schools, serve in the most prestigious American Marketing Association’s Collegiate lic and private sectors on the island to provide not-for-profits, and get the best jobs on Wall Case Competition, one of the premiere marketing stationary online banner ad. opportunities to students to aid in workforce Street and elsewhere. In the past several years, competitions in the country, our Marketing team Call (917) 375-0497 for rates. development, and to help with initiatives to we have ranked in the top 20 in the entire nation took second place among more than 100 teams across North America. They narrowly missed first place to the team from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, one of the top declines, as all state budgets have for higher edu- business schools in the country. cation, we have to be very mindful of “Resource www. EducationUpdate.com And we do all this by providing access to Management.” We simply do not have the ability all. We provide over $60M in access financial to make our campus as beautiful as we would aid every year from Federal Pell, State Tap, like or to provide incentives to support and retain Scan QR Code Excelsior, and private sources, plus $15M in those world-class faculty. federally insured student loans as a direct lend- Public support is critical to our mission and with your Smartphone ing institution. There is a difference between to our strategic plan and it does more than put federal financial aid direct loans and what many plaques on benches or other items on campus Follow our tweets on the latest news, call loans from private banks — that sometimes — it gives us the money to buy and install such puts us at odd with private banks, but is the right things, as well as providing additional support. profiles and interviews in education: thing to do. This means that 60% of our students By buying a bench, coming to our gala, and pay no tuition. That’s right no tuition; so, 75% offering other gifts, the public is helping us cre- graduate debt-free, and those that do borrow ate a community, a beautiful Destination Campus graduate with an average of just $8,000 in debt. and an opportunity for our students to Ascend. # The national average is almost $40,000. Dr. William Fritz is the President of the College @EducationUpdate So what is missing? As our State budget of Staten Island. NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 15

Windward Teacher Training Institute

Windward Teacher Training Institute (WTTI) provides year- round professional COMMUNITY LECTURE: development based on Beyond the Buzzwords of Grit and Resilience scientifically validated November 1, 2018 • 7:30 pm research in child development, learning FREE TO ATTEND theory, and pedagogy. RESERVE YOUR SEAT at THEWINDWARDSCHOOL.ORG/ Courses, workshops, Register now for Fall and Winter Classes: LECTURE and lectures address CLASSES AT WTTI WESTCHESTER: a broad range of Syllables Are the Key: The Basics of Language Structure developmental and Through Syllabication Saturday, November 17, 2018 • 9:00 am – 1:00 pm curricular topics NEW Academic Language: It’s Not Plain English! Monday, January 14, 2019 • 4:00 – 6:30 pm appropriate for both Strategies for Improving Students’ Math Skills mainstream and Two Wednesdays: January 16, 23, 2019 • 4:00 – 6:30 pm remedial settings. Mindfulness and ADHD: Practical Tools for Daily Life The Institute serves Thursday, February 7, 2019 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm as a resource for CLASSES AT WTTI MANHATTAN: educators and Executive Function Skills in Children: What You Need to Know and Why It Matters professionals in Tuesday, November 27, 2018 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm allied disciplines, Expository Writing Instruction: Part Two – Primary such as speech and Thursday, November 29, 2018 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm language therapists Language Development and Early Literacy: Building Phonological Awareness Skills Monday, December 3, 2018 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm and psychologists, as well as for families. Multisensory Reading Instruction: PAF Part I –Section 2 Five Wednesdays: January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2019 • 9:00 am – 1:00 pm The goal of WTTI Dyslexia: What Is It, Really? Thursday, January 17, 2019 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm is to disseminate Expository Writing Instruction: Part One – Section 2 reliable and practical Three Thursdays: February 14, 28, March 7, 2019 • 9:00 am – 2:30 pm information for those For more information, visit: thewindwardschool.org/wtti seeking to enhance their knowledge and facebook.com/WindwardTeacherTrainingInstitute twitter.com/WindwardTTI expertise. Be informed. Be inspired. Transform lives. 16 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Humpback Whales Feast in NYC

Humpback whale breaching off of NYC waters

By DR. MERRYL KAFKA their long migration from the Caribbean NYC has been touted as one of the food waters, where they mate and give birth, and (L-R) Merryl Kafka holding baleen, used for filter feeding, capitals of the world, and for the past eight travel about 1,500 miles to the colder nutrient- and a sperm whale tooth years humpback whales can now be added to rich waters of the North Atlantic, where food the list of regular diners! These majestic marine is abundant. The Caribbean may be beauti- ing on thousands of fish per day and storing fishing gear, or injured or struck by vessels. mammals have been visiting our waters to feast ful, warm and crystal clear, but that is the that energy for the long journey back home. They are indeed sleeping, feeding, and playing upon the millions of pounds of menhaden, or color of emptiness; nutrient-poor waters with Although a slow migration, ranging about 1–5 in traffic in one of the top ten busiest harbors in bunker, an oily forage fish that abound in our little plankton cannot support large schools of miles per hour, they do socialize and rest in the world… the gateway to NYC! offshore waters. fishes. Hence the whales’ annual migration is a semi-sleeping behavior called “logging”. Photographing the whales’ tails is the key In the spring the humpback whales begin simply to get as fat as they can in NYC, feed- Why semi-sleeping? Whales must remember task, which identifies it as an individual. No to breathe, and rest one half of their brain at a two whales have the same tail or fluke pat- time while sleeping. Their breathing is not on tern, much like a fingerprint. Gotham Whale, an automatic nervous system as ours is. We can a not-for-profit organization founded by Paul get a good night’s sleep without remembering Sieswerda, published the first NYC Humpback www.EducationupdatE.com Aawardward Volume XII, No. 1 • New York City • SEPTEMBER 2006 Winner FoR PaRENTS, EduCaToRS & STudENTS Back-to-School 2006 SUBSCRIBE to to breathe. When full of energy, humpbacks Whale Catalog with 70 fluke shots of indi- have an amazing display known as breaching, vidual whales taken by our dedicated staff Education Update which is jumping out of the water into the photographer/curator Artie Raslich, and written air, lifting up to 40 tons of their body weight. by Celia Ackerman, GW researcher and natu- Only $30 Per Year Little is know about why they jump. Scientists ralist. Other staff members include Catherine can make observations and easily record their Granton, GW researcher and naturalist, as well behavior, but the reasons are speculative: com- as citizen scientist passengers onboard The Name: ______munication, as in “here I am”, or ridding the American Princess. All have contributed to a

ii) body of ectoparasites, or perhaps simply jump- total inventory of over 90 individual humpback (part Address: ______u.s. postage paid VooRHees , NJ p PR S RT ermit No.500 ing for joy as a way of expressing exuberance whales indentified. S TD . SPECIAL EDUCATION or play behavior. Committed to education, conservation and ______The American Princess, docked in Breezy research, the American Princess becomes Point, Queens, is not only NYC’s sole whale a floating classroom with educators for a City: ______State: ______Zip: ______watching vessel, but its entire crew is trained, “Science at Sea” three-hour excursion. ❐ ❐ tested and certified by Whalesense, in concert Programs for teachers as a PD or for student Payment Method: Check Credit Card with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric field trips will provide first hand experience Credit Card (Please circle one): AMEX VISA MC Administration (NOAA) to assure that whale- using oceanographic equipment, and exploring watching enterprises use proper protocols to such topics as plankton, invertebrate zoology, Card Number: ______safeguard both the whales and the passengers, whale biology, fish diversity, salt marsh ecol- and commit to educational narratives. The ogy, and water chemistry. Come explore the Expiration Date: ______American Princess is the platform from which wonders of the water world in our own back- Gotham Whale conducts its research by photo- yard. The American Princess is a DOE vendor Signature: ______graphing the whales, documenting its behavior, approved, insured vessel.# Please make checks payable to EDUCATION UPDATE, INC. and tracking its migration by latitude and lon- For information, contact Director of gitudinal coordinates and communicating that Education M. Kafka at [email protected], Mail to: Education Update Subscriptions, 695 Park Avenue, Ste. E1509, to other whale (Cetacean) researchers along AmericanPrincessCruises.com, or New York, NY 10065 or call (917) 375-0497. the Atlantic coastline. We also report whales Gothamwhale.org on Facebook for more infor- that have been entangled with ghost nets or lose mation. NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 17

Assemblywoman Rebecca Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating Seawright Celebrates By SAMANTHA NAZARETH, M.D. gt ork s egacy Moving into the holiday season sparks nos- S . Y ’ L talgia of spending time with the family and enjoying festive parties at work. Unfortunately, Recently, East Side World War I Centennial with all of that good cheer, sometimes health Commemoration Committee held an exciting goals fall by the wayside. I’ve gathered some evening of music, film, and celebration at the tips to help you get through this holiday sea- Lycée Français de New York to remember son to avoid overindulging. Sergeant Alvin York. Sergeant Alvin York is Don’t arrive to a party or dinner hungry. one of the most decorated veterans of the First In anticipation of a large meal, sometimes World War and York Avenue, which runs on we think it’s better to hold off eating until Manhattan’s East Side, is named after him. the main event. However, your body will The evening featured a number of standout go into overdrive and overeat once food moments including a student musical perfor- becomes available. Treat these special days mance led by Jacques LeTalon, music educator like any other day — eat regular portions at the Lycée and a warm welcome delivered by before attending a holiday event. If you are Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President. feeling hungry, you can munch on a healthy Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, co- snack that you keep in your bag, like nuts or chair of ESWWICC, delivered some warm raw veggies. This will prevent eating anything remarks as well. “We’ve always known York and everything in sight. Avenue was special but wait until you see Follow the 2:1 rule — for every two healthy this movie tonight,” she said, “for those of dishes you eat, one small unhealthy food can you who don’t already know about Sergeant follow. Once at an event, it is hard not to eat York, you’ll be even prouder to be associated some unhealthy items. Allow the chance to Samantha Nazareth, M.D. with his name!” Assemblywoman Seawright taste or have a sliver of the pie, if you have Samantha Nazareth, M.D. followed her remarks by presenting co-chair already eaten two servings of veggies/leafy Howard Teich with a special medallion with greens. At least, you won’t feel as guilty eating anyway. Therefore, why not prepare and bring the New York State seal on behalf of the New dessert if some of it is balanced with benefi- a healthy side dish? Some of my favorites York State Assembly. Teich then gave some cial and nutritious food items. Also, the two include a homemade no-sugar cranberry sauce, informative background on Sergeant York’s Rebecca A. Seawright servings of vegetables and leafy greens serve roasted brussels sprouts, or baked carrots. accomplishments and told of how the East Side as healthy fiber. Fiber keeps you feeling full, Be aware of mindful eating and slow down! was involved in the First World War effort. He his grandfather founded, and the 1941 film which will also prevent overeating the not-so- Begin with taking the time to savor each bite also recognized members of the committee and Sergeant York. One of the most interesting tid- good food. and chew slowly. Digestion starts right away York Avenue business owners. bits was in regard to education. York’s grandson Move your body. Take a walk around the in the mouth (your saliva has enzymes to help Harold Holzer took to the podium next to said, “Later in life, my grandfather was asked block or help clean up after eating. Do not go break down food). Also, the mechanical act of have a discussion with Retired Army Col. ‘what do you want to be remembered for?’ and into complete relaxation mode and watch TV chomping and biting helps to break down the Gerald York, the late Alvin York’s grand- he said, ‘I want to be remembered for bring- or go to sleep. Movement aids digestion. This food to a smaller form. The purpose of slowly son. Holzer is a highly respected and distin- ing education to Tennessee.’” After their dia- small amount of exercise will also help to burn eating allows your brain to receive the signal guished Lincoln Scholar and the Director of logue concluded, the film Sergeant York, which some calories your body needs to process. from the stomach of “I am full” — a process the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute stars Gary Cooper as the titular character, was Bring a healthy dish. Sometimes it is dif- that can take up to 20 minutes. # at Hunter College. Holzer asked Col. York screened for the audience. A national rallying ficult to predict if healthy food options are Any questions about gut health, wellness, or a number of interesting questions about his cry, the movie was the highest grossing film available at an event. Most of the time it is nutrition? Send them on Instagram or Twitter grandfather, the Alvin C. York Institute that in 1941. # expected to bring a dish to a person’s home to @drsamnazareth. A New President: Thomas Bailey Takes the Reins of Teachers College

Thomas R. Bailey is the eleventh President and Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary public agencies and foundations as well as sev- 2006), co-edited with Vanessa Morest, Working of Teachers College, Columbia University. He Readiness (CAPR), established in 2014. From eral state and local economic development and Knowledge: Work-Based Learning and has served on the College’s faculty for the past 2006 to 2012, Dr. Bailey directed another educational agencies. Education Reform (Routledge, 2004), co- 27 years and is the George & Abby O’Neill IES-funded center, the National Center for Dr. Bailey earned his undergraduate degree authored with Katherine Hughes and David Professor of Economics & Education. Postsecondary Research (NCPR). in economics from Harvard University Moore; Manufacturing Advantage (Cornell An economist, with specialties in education, Dr. Bailey and the CCRC won the Terry and his Ph.D. in labor economics from the University Press, 2000), written with Eileen labor economics, and econometrics, Dr. Bailey O’Banion Prize for Teaching and Learning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His Appelbaum, Peter Berg, and Arne Kalleberg; is widely regarded as one the nation’s leading annual conference for the League for Innovation papers have appeared in a wide variety of educa- and The Double Helix of Education and the authorities on community colleges. In 1996, he in the Community College in 2013, and he was tion, policy-oriented, and academic journals, and Economy (IEE, 1992), co-authored with Sue established the Community College Research inducted as an AERA Fellow in the same year. he has authored or co-authored several books on Berryman. Center (CCRC) at Teachers College with sup- He has been a member of the National Academy the employment and training of immigrants and Dr. Bailey is married to Dr. Carmenza L. port from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. of Education since 2012. In June 2010, U.S. the extent and effects of on-the-job training. Gallo, Associate Professor Emerita of Sociology Since 1992 he also has been Director of the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan appointed Along with Shanna Smith Jaggars and Davis at Queens College, the City University of New Institute on Education and the Economy (IEE) him chair of the Committee on Measures of Jenkins, Dr. Bailey recently wrote Redesigning York. He has two daughters: Erika Bailey, the at the College. Dr. Bailey also has directed Student Success, which developed recommen- America’s Community Colleges: A Clearer Path head of Voice and Speech at Harvard’s American three National Centers funded by grants from dations for community colleges to comply with to Student Success, which was published by Repertory Theatre; and TC alumna Daniela the Institute of Education Sciences: the Center completion rate disclosure requirements under Harvard University Press in 2015. Other books Bailey (M.A.’15, Private School Leadership), for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Dr. include Defending the Community College a social sciences teacher and class dean at the Employment (CAPSEE), established in 2011, Bailey has also served as a consultant to many Equity Agenda (Johns Hopkins University Press, National Cathedra School in Washington, D.C. # 18 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018 The Oyster Queen: Restoring NYC’s Oyster Reefs

Teacher training session to measure the oysters

TENTATIVE REEF MONITORING SCHEDULE* Tanasia Swift, Oyster Reef Site Manager Tuesday, November 6th, 11:30am–2:00pm: Canarsie Reef By DR. MERRYL KAFKA, rocky shores to hard edges, bulkheads and Wednesday, November 7th, 12:15pm–2:15pm: Coney Island Reef NYS MARINE EDUCATION piers; dredging and landfill projects; and the ASSOCIATION (NYSMEA.ORG) discharge of pollution meant doomsday to our Friday, November 23rd, 12:30pm–2:30pm: Coney Island Reef Tanasia Swift, a regional site manager from oyster beds. *Note: Dates are tentative. The Billion Oyster Project (BOP), is like Oysters were an integral part of our city: as a the Johnny Appleseed of the water world. food source for all classes — the impoverished Please contact Tanasia Swift to RSVP. Her days are busy “planting” oyster reefs in and the elite, with fine-dining oyster taverns, to For information to participate in reef monitoring events, please contact our NYC’s estuaries, from Coney Island to Sunset basement “oyster cellars”, and street vendors Queen of Oysters, Tanasia Swift: [email protected] Park, Governor’s Island, and the Bronx River. selling them for a penny a piece; its lime-rich Tanasia is determined and excited, like a moth- shells were ground up and burnt to construct er of millions, to see the success of her efforts. Trinity Church; and Pearl Street is named for housed in 28 mesh cages called “files” to cre- substrate. The most preferred substrate for the She recruits and trains an army of students and the huge piles of oysters left by the Lenape. ate a Community Oyster Reef. All Community spat to cement itself onto is an established liv- teachers in the classroom and in the field to It is the intention of the Billion Oyster Project Oyster Reefs must receive a permit from the ing reef or a dead pile of oyster shells called help establish reefs, and monitor and collect (BOP) to restore the oysters to NYC. Not as a Department of Environmental Conservation cultch, creating a foundation for a new colony. data on the growth of these incredible mollusks. food source due to polluted urban waters, but (NYSDEC). The Coney Island Community Many New York City restaurants donated over New York City and the American Oyster to have the oysters help restore a healthy water- Oyster Reef was permitted under the condition a million pounds of oyster shells to prepare for (Crassostrea virginica) have had a long and way. The oyster is a living filter, each one filter- that the oysters must be removed before they reef installations. delicious, but difficult history, with oysters ing 50 gallons of water per day. Oysters feed become “market size” to avoid the public from Tanasia uses the oysters as a way to teach occupying over 350 square miles in the lower on algae, and different species live in either poaching and eating oysters from the contami- students about the scientific method, science estuary of NYC. Historically, NYC provided fresh water, brackish, or salt-water ecosystems. nated waters. content and field skills, ecology of our local the world with the best-tasting oysters, with Creating oyster reefs also help to restore The reef is organized like a file cabinet, waters, and conservation ethics to preserve our many of them harvested right from Brooklyn’s and maintain our biodiversity. The oyster is a with each “file” or rack of oysters containing marine heritage. Gowanus Canal! Now the canal is one of the keystone species, creating a habitat for many a number and a color code. The students at the On the first day of our training, BOP Staff most polluted waterways in the country! By organisms that live on or near oyster beds and Harbor School, located on Governor’s Island, and 12 teachers eagerly appeared, representing the early 1900s, over one billion oysters a year their associated complex community of micro- is an important part of the behind-the-scenes schools from PS 288, John Dewey HS, Rachel were being harvested from our local waters. organisms, worms, crabs, barnacles, sea stars, development and maintenance of the oyster Carson HS, Pace University, Bloomington However, long-term threats such as overhar- and fish. production. Students learn how to care for the School of Music, as well as staff from the Nature vesting; rapidly growing urbanization; altering Coney Island Creek is one of the newest planktonic oyster larvae, and the later stage Conservancy and the Waterfront Alliance, allies our coastlines from original marshlands and installations, containing about 140,000 oysters, called spat, that is ready to settle on a hard in the BOP campaign. # NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 19

SPORTS Townsend Harris Connects Robert McAdoo IV New York and Japan A Tennis Star on the Rise McAdoo Family

By DR. MARIKO FUKUOKA in 1856 as the U.S. Consul General, entrusted As a historian, I have specialized in 19th- with a mission to replace Perry’s treaty with a century Japanese diplomatic history focusing real commercial treaty. He succeeded in this on the period from the 1850s to the 1870s, the endeavor in 1858, signing the treaty of free age of radical transition known as the Meiji trade with the shogunate, which became the Restoration. The arrival of a US squadron lead model for treaties later signed between Japan by Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry and and the West. By 1862, Harris was deeply the forced opening of the country in 1853–54 involved in the radical transition of the country, triggered a series of drastic internal changes from a state of seclusion to a society incorpo- which ultimately led to the collapse of the rated into world trade and diplomacy. Hall of Fame basketball player Bob Tokugawa Shogunate — which lasted for 265 This is why I am now conducting research McAdoo (top left) with his son, Robert years — and to the establishment of the refor- at the City College of New York from June to By MIKE COHEN McAdoo III, and grandson, Robert mative Meiji government in 1868. December 2018, where a number of handwrit- The wind was crackling and the air was chilly McAdoo IV. McAdoo IV is one of the My approach to this exciting and well-inves- ten letters of Harris are preserved. An analy- on a late autumn day at the tennis courts at nation’s top 9-year-old tennis players. tigated field of traditional Japanese historiog- sis and evaluation of these documents along Tamaques Park in Westfield, New Jersey. It was raphy has been to implement a multilingual with many additional Harris-related sources at the end of the long outdoor tennis season. ther, Tim Kakulia, was a top professional player angle. Having acquired a good command of preserved in Japan form the foundation of a There was only one court being used. The from the Soviet Union in the early 70s. English and German before commencing my more accurate biography on him. I also aim sound of the ball being hit was barely audible in Still, Mac is really just a regular kid from Ph.D. studies, I decided, in my dissertation, to incorporate other Western sources from the these conditions, but what could be heard was Mahwah, New Jersey who also enjoys school, to focus on a little-known Prussian expedition British, German, and Dutch, as I did in my first a booming voice. playing basketball, joking around with his which was sent to Japan in 1860–61 to conclude book in order to reconstruct the multinational “Way to go son, that’s it. Make good contact friends, and spending time with his mom, dad, its own commercial treaty, which was modeled diplomacy of that period in Japan. with that ball.” That familiar voice known and 4-year-old brother, Temo. By the way, his on the previous US-Japan agreement negoti- Harris acted as the founder of the Free throughout the courts in the area belongs mom was also a tennis champion in college. ated by Townsend Harris in 1858. The Ph.D. Academy of New York (today’s CCNY) in the to the tennis coach Robert McAdoo III. He While the family has set very high goals for thesis, which I completed in 2011 under the 1840s. Thus, it will be another important task was coaching his then 8-year-old son Robert Mac as he makes his way through the world title The Prussian East-Asian Expedition and to assess its revolutionary meaning in the edu- McAdoo IV, who is now one of the top 9 year- of junior tennis, they talk openly about having the Japanese Diplomacy in the Late Edo Era, cational history of New York. How to integrate olds in the country. Mac some day be a professional player. Right was awarded the Nambara Shigeru Publication these different elements to a consistent life his- “What sets us apart is our pursuit of excel- now their main focus is on Mac’s development Prize, which is given annually to the most tory of a unique American diplomat will be my lence,” said McAdoo III, who was a Division I as an individual. The family values good char- outstanding doctoral thesis in humanities and mission for the coming years. tennis and basketball player at the University of acter and attitude as much as winning tennis social sciences of the University of Tokyo, and Though the book is going to be published first North Carolina at Asheville. “We don’t let any tournaments. was published by the University of Tokyo Press from the Japanese publisher Minerva Shobo, I obstacles stand in our way. I’m trying to teach “I really enjoy playing on the tennis court in 2013. aim to publish it in the English language. By my son to have a warrior mentality.” because it’s where I feel special,” said Mac. # Working since 2014 as an associate professor doing this, I hope to build a bridge between Mac as he is known just finished third in the In addition to being the sports editor of at the National Museum of Japanese History, Japanese and English-language historiography, “Little Mo” National Tennis Tournament held Education Update, Mike Cohen is the founder/ I have begun working on my next research like Townsend Harris did between Japanese and in Austin, Texas. It’s no wonder that expecta- director of Throwback Sports (a sports and project which aims to write a biography on Western diplomacy in the 19th century. # tions are set so high for Mac. His paternal educational program for children of all abili- the above-mentioned Harris, who played a key Dr. Mariko Fukuoka, visiting researcher at grandfather is the Hall of Fame basketball ties). He can be reached at throwbacksports@ role in the history of Japan’s opening. He was CCNY, is an associate professor at the National player, Bob McAdoo, and his maternal grandfa- verizon.net. a New York merchant who was sent to Japan Museum of Japanese History. 20 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

THE MATH COLUMN Motivating Mathematics Instruction Through Counterintuitive Everyday Experiences

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

By ALFRED POSAMENTIER, Ph.D. that, if mathematics is seen as less important to so don’t worry, as long as you passed the test, mathematics teachers today are strongly guided In recent years as technology has been parents, then it is likely not to be too important it’s OK.” This is just one important aspect that to follow these guidelines and are subjected to advancing at lightning speed to provide ever for them as well. parents need to consider as they arear their stu- related professional assessments. As a result, more attractive and useful features that clearly The parents influence can be best seen dents to be successful in school, and especially teachers rarely deviate from the prescribed affect our society, there is a very clear need to through the following anecdote: a student in mathematics. As a complete flip from this curriculum, and moreover, they emphasize improve mathematics instruction in the schools comes home with two test results: on a test in negative behavior, parents would do well to preparation for the various examinations which and beyond. In the latter case, although the English a high grade was achieved, while on a begin to fortify themselves with simple mathe- students will encounter along their instruc- schools carry the official burden of providing test in mathematics a low grade was achieved. matics concepts and ideas that are not necessar- tional path. This obsessive instruction often the mathematical background that all students A parent who may not have had a good ily presented as part of the school curriculum. time takes the “fun” out of teaching and learn- will need to move ahead in this ever-growing school experience with mathematics instruction Time spent preparing themselves with these ing mathematics. Just as we are advocating technological world, the burden goes beyond – something not uncommon for a large per- new ideas can be internally rewarding, and that parents familiarize themselves with some the school, specifically to the home environ- centage of parents – might respond by lauding externally it would be enriching their children’s off-the-beaten-path mathematical concepts and ment as well. the student’s success on the English exam and mathematical experience, which should carry ideas that can be highly motivating, teachers First, there is the general misconception that perhaps placating the student with the poor per- over as motivation for more actively learning should take the time each week to deviate from parents should leave the teaching of mathemat- formance on the mathematics exam. This sends the subject in school. the prescribed curriculum and expose students ics to the schools. Although, clearly that is the a very detrimental signal. Namely, the parent’s There are many resources for parents to build to these mathematical wonders. While pre- schools’ responsibility, parents have a clear role expectation in math is at very low, and so the up this arsenal of ideas that will not only enter- senting these typically not-well-known ideas, to play there as well. This begins with the par- student can be satisfied performing at that level. tain the parents as they familiarize themselves teachers have a tendency to generate special ents’ attitude towards mathematics. Typically, As a result, the student is not encouraged to with these new concepts, but they will also find enthusiasm in their presentation, which further but not always, parents have a tendency to improve performance on the math test and is it enjoyable to interact with their child on a serves to motivate the students to the point shirk away from mathematics, and by doing so, likely to continue showing a weak mathematics mathematical topic that will engender amaze- where the time spent on this deviation is an indicate to their students, who may be showing background perceiving its acceptability by par- ment and demonstrate the power and beauty of investment whose dividends are seen as a more parents their day’s school work that their lack ents. In general, this would be a terrible way to mathematics. Before we present some of these receptive learner for the required curriculum. of competence in mathematics and perhaps lack guide a youngster; and is especially detrimental ideas to merely whet the reader’s appetite, we One of the most neglected aspect of teaching of interest as well, guides them to focus more in today’s technological world. need to address the role of the teacher in an mathematics over the past several decades has on the student’s work in other subjects, and by Obviously, parents should encourage the stu- analogous approach. been the teacher’s interest in seeking unusual doing so downgrade the importance for math- dent to perform better and never say to the With the advent of teaching standards and aspects of mathematics that can be used to ematics. This already gives students a signal student “I also didn’t do well in mathematics, a regular regiment of standardized testing, continued on page 26 NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 21 Nitrogen: The Great Evil Molloy College’s CERCOM Field Incarnate...NOT Really! Station and an Ancient Mariner Conor McGowan, US Geological Survey By JOHN TANACREDI and for space station development. Established in 2004 and incorporated in Each summer since 2004, CERCOM at 2013 with the research field station for Molloy Molloy College has monitored over 115 horse- Colleges’ BS degree program in Earth and shoe crab sites from the tip of Brooklyn to the Environmental Sciences, CERCOM is the only tip of Montauk on Long Island. Each of these captive breeding laboratory for Horseshoe sites originally were identified as horseshoe Crabs in the United States. The only other crab breeding sites. Each site was inventoried breeding program linked to a biological aca- for horseshoe crab breeding (eggs deposited demic program is in City University of Hong or in amplexus breeding behavior) conditions. Kong. There are only four species of Horseshoe Over this 15-plus years of monitoring, the orig- Crabs on Earth and their paleo history extends inal population of crabs observed has declined back 455 million years before the present, about 1% per year; however unfortunately in surviving five mass extinction (global) events that same 15-year period slightly over 8% of where the majority of organisms were lost the original breeding sights no longer exhibit including the dinosaurs. If their fascinating horseshoe crabs or nesting activities. Several paleo-survivability weren’t enough, Horseshoe other issues impact on horseshoe crab protec- Crabs are a sentinel species in conservation tion. They are used for bait for conch and eel biology and a seminal species in their contribu- fisheries at a harvest level in New York State tions to human health. of 135,000 animals per season. These are lost For the North American Horseshoe Crab, totally to the horseshoe crabs breeding class as also known as the Atlantic horseshoe crab they are cut-up and stored for eel pots. (scientific name Limulus polyphemus), each The horseshoe crab has become an “exotic year females come ashore from Maine to food” resource where in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Yucatan to deposit between 80,000 and and other parts of Asia during the breeding sea- 100,000 eggs in the coastal wetlands, fertilized son, 10,000 adult animals are harvested, bled by males, and provide a cornucopia of protein out for TAL production purposes [TAL and On mud flats in Delaware Bay the morning after a full moon high tide spawn, for millions of migrating birds. This mix of LAL have similar functions] and then all flesh thousands of horseshoe crabs wait on the mud flats for the high tide to return adult, eggs, and juvenile horseshoe crabs pro- removed to be sold at fisheries markets. At that vide for a diversity of consumers like birds (red rate they should be close to, if not extinct by knots), reptiles (marine turtles), finfish (winter the year 2030. Dr. JOHN TANACREDI and NYC, the main attention over the last 5–10 flounder) and are all mixed in tidal cycles Today all the horseshoe crab species are Nitrogen is everywhere — around us and years has been on the 390,000 homeowners out to the nearshore ocean, where they all are being proposed for listing on the IUCN’s Red in us. The atmosphere is 79% nitrogen, and with these individualized septic systems. part of the feeding frenzy of a revitalization List as critically “vulnerable”. Much more nitrogenous bases are a key component of the On the face of it, this sounds reasonable. of marine mammals such as the humpbacked work is required however Horseshoe Crab sci- amino acids which compose our DNA. It is an Septic systems on Long Island contribute an whale which can be observed breaching to feed entists from around the world will be meeting essential nutrient for plant growth on which all estimated 45% of the excess nitrogen to our on the bumper crop of menhaden along the in China in June 2019 to gather more informa- life depends. Here on Long Island, nitrogen in waters. We will never totally eliminate some Atlantic Coast. tion and strategies to protect these amazing estuarine waters spurs photosynthetic activ- excess nitrogen from septic systems, but by my From the most practical importance of horse- animals. I have also prepared a petition to ity — the foundational process associated with calculation with proper maintenance we could shoe crabs to us all, their blood contains present to UNESCO to declare horseshoe crabs coastal estuarine marine food chains, fostering remove 75% of that. Carefully managed septic the critical component in the production of the first world Heritage Species under its World one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. systems which are low in cost and require mini- Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), a $350 Heritage Program. The petition can be read at So nitrogen is an essential part of our lives. mal maintenance can be highly beneficial with- million pharmaceutical industry providing this https://www.thepetitionsite.com/875/761/056/ But like everything, when there is an excess of out harming the ground water. They can also endotoxin detector to all hospitals for detect- petition-unesco-support-in-creating-a-glob- nitrogen in specific forms, it can become a pol- recharge the aquifer, and are especially effective ing the possibility of gram-negative bacteria al-sanctuary-for-the-horseshoe-crab/?taf_ lutant spurring on algal growth and potentially in low-density areas where public sewers are on surgical instruments or as contaminants of id=44151922&cid=fb_na#bbfb=855624502 destroy our precious coastline. neither available nor feasible. prescription drugs. NASA used LAL to detect If you have a passion to protect these ancient Over the last five years, nitrogen has received Yet, the politically correct mantra for the contamination from microbes in the clean room marinas come visit CERCOM (class visits can a bad rap. Unfortunately, the solutions offered last five years has been that septic systems for the now-completed space shuttle program be arranged) or contact me to chat a bit. # to combat excess nitrogen in our waters are leak and are the major factor contributing either misguided or may be worse than the nitrogen to rivers, groundwater, estuaries and problem. bays — contributing to massive, hazardous with “innovative/advanced onsite wastewater the difference. Their path to environmental pro- In 2009, distinguished scientist Dr. Ivan algal blooms, fish kills, and degraded water treatment systems.” In other words, the LIRPC tection is to have an economic incentive, rather Valiela published a report identifying the con- quality. The science suggests that these events has embraced the consensus view that the real than misinforming them into paying the freight tributions of nitrogen to coastal waters on Long as recently as 2015 and 2016 were due to a enemy is our septic tank system, and not larger for septic system “upgrades”. Their buy-in for Island. The report focused on four important domino effect of physical and biological phe- forces at work on Long Island. environmental protection and restoration must causes to excess nitrogen: wastewater, agricul- nomena not completely caused by septic leak. **The main impacts on our ecosystem on not be burdensome. An economic relief from ture, lawn-care run-off, and atmospheric condi- Nonetheless, DEC Regional Chief Peter Scully Long Island is overdevelopment, not the septic government by incentivizing self-maintenance tions. The report prompted a lot of debate. Most recently noted that the solution to our problems systems that the roughly 400,000 households in of septic systems, will be far better for LI and of the environmental community in Suffolk is to replace the 390,000 “aging” septic systems Suffolk County use. If we are not going to curb all its residents in the long run. # County got behind the view that the main cul- initially through a “lottery” where homeowners development, and we don’t intend to install a Dr. John Tanacredi is Professor of Earth prit was our septic tank system. pay up to $25,000 to have new “more efficient” proper water sewerage treatment system the and Environmental Studies in the Department To be sure, septic systems are the easiest to systems installed. way the rest of the metropolitan region has, then of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental blame. These systems are getting old and they In addition, the Long Island Regional implementing a proper incentive for Suffolk’s Studies and serves as the Executive Director do leak if they are not properly maintained. Planning Council has sought assistance in ana- homeowners rather than a “lottery” system is of the Center for Environmental Research and Since there are fewer water sewerage treatment lyzing Nassau County surface water quality the way to go. Coastal Oceans Monitoring (CERCOM) at plants in Suffolk County as there are in Nassau data with the intent of replacing septic systems Only the independent homeowner can make Molloy College. 22 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Barnard College Celebrates Grand Opening of The Milstein Center Barnard College held the official grand open- Barnard’s commitment to climate action, both ing for The Cheryl and Philip Milstein Center through its curriculum and the College com- for Teaching and Learning recently. The new munity’s sustainability initiatives. building, which opened in early September, “SOM’s design for The Milstein Center is serves as the hub of academic and intellec- the result of a close collaboration with Barnard tual life at Barnard and reinforces the institu- College,” said Roger Duffy, SOM Senior tion’s commitment to sustainability and climate Consulting Design Partner. “Through count- action. less conversations with faculty and students, The 128,000-square-foot building, designed we’ve been able to envision a building that not by award-winning architecture firm Skidmore, only serves Barnard’s needs today but positions Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), is a distinctive this important New York City institution at the place that facilitates dialogue and collabora- forefront of new technologies and approaches tion between students and faculty. It includes to learning. The building is centrally located, a new kind of library, one that brings together overlooking the Barnard Lawn and the broader current technologies and learning spaces in Columbia University campus, and is oriented to flexible, interactive settings. Furthermore, it bring sunlight and additional vibrancy to one of is a dynamic academic campus hub, linking the College’s central gathering places.” departments and disciplines both physically SOM designed The Milstein Center in and philosophically. response to its prominent location overlooking “The opening of The Milstein Center marks Barnard’s lawn, its signature outdoor space. an important milestone for Barnard,” said Sian A five-story base rises in a series of terraces, Leah Beilock, President of Barnard College. maximizing the amount of sunlight that reaches “Its completion supports the creation of new campus throughout the day. On the west side pathways for learning that build on our founda- of the building, a narrow, eleven-story tower tion of academic excellence and inquiry across physically connects to science classrooms and disciplines. We are tremendously thankful for labs in the neighboring Altschul Hall. the Milsteins’ support of this beautiful build- Large windows and careful lighting design ing, and for SOM’s innovative design that will add to picturesque indoor spaces while contrib- inspire students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and uting to energy savings. A double height ceiling friends of the College for years to come.” and an exposed wood staircase lend drama to The Center is named in honor of Cheryl the 40,000-square-foot library, which features Glicker Milstein ’82 P’14, the newly-elected a core collection of books, journals, zines, and chair of Barnard’s Board of Trustees, and special collections, and enhanced storage for her husband Philip Milstein CC’71 P’14, the Barnard archives. The building will also who donated $25 million for the project. host various academic departments including The Milsteins have long been supporters of economics, political science, and urban studies, Barnard; Cheryl was elected to the board in in addition to several of Barnard’s internation- 1999, serving on several prominent commit- ally-acclaimed programs including the Athena tees, and has chaired or co-chaired seven of the Center for Leadership Studies and the Barnard last eighteen Barnard galas, the College’s most Center for Research on Women (BCRW). significant annual fundraiser for scholarships. Several educational centers are housed The Milsteins were also major donors to the inside The Milstein Center: The Vagelos construction of The Diana Center, which was Computational Science Center, affirming completed in 2010. Barnard’s commitment to preparing women “We are so pleased to share in this moment for successes in STEM fields; The Center with the Barnard community,” said Cheryl for Engaged Pedagogy, to offer new meth- Milstein. “We believe that every element of the odologies in teaching innovation and student new building will enhance the learning experi- learning; The Digital Humanities Center, to ence of each student who arrives on Barnard’s enhance digital literacy and leverage advances campus, and provide our stellar faculty with in humanistic inquiry with cutting-edge tech- innovative tools and spaces they need to teach nology; The Design Center, a maker space and collaborate with the next generation of that will encourage thinking across disciplines; women leaders. The Empirical Reasoning Center, to support About the Building students as they engage with data in mean- The $137 million building is expected ingful, responsible ways; The Elsie K. Sloate to achieve a LEED Silver rating, featuring Media Center, featuring labs where students approximately 12,000 square feet of green will build valuable knowledge and confidence roofs and outdoor terraces that reduce the heat in emerging skills and technologies used by island effect and provide inviting spaces for 21st-century digital producers and creators; and study, contemplation, and connection to nature The Movement Lab, for hands-on, innovative within the urban campus. The facade is made of movement research, exploration and produc- patinated zinc shingles that harmonize with the Cheryl Milstein ’82, P’14, chair of Barnard’s Board of Trustees tion, and to promote the exchange of ideas surrounding brick, stone, and concrete build- and cross-fertilization of movement with other and Philip Milstein CC’71 P’14 ings. The building’s design features support disciplines.# NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 23

Artificial Intelligence: The Importance

of Responsible Digital CitizenshipDepositPhotos/the_lightwriter

By JASON OHLER, PhD This dilemma is not unlike the one described calculate. we are as moral human beings. Given we might Big Idea: All of our AI apps and intelligent in the Trolley Problem, a foundational thought As an aside, do you value the life of your own all handle the deer and SUV situation different- machines will need ethical programming. experiment in most college ethics classes that dog in the back seat more than the dog on the ly, what kind of programmer will we turn to? Whose ethics shall we use? has been debated by a number of moral philoso- sidewalk that you don’t know? Or how about In a recent edition of Education Update, I Imagine that you are driving down the high- phers. In Dr. Judith Jarvis Thompson’s version, the unknown dog vs. the deer; are they of equal made the case for needing Character Education way in the family SUV, your two children and a trolley with failed brakes is hurtling down a value to you? Your car may need to know how Version 2.0 to help our students, as well as the dog in the back seat. Suddenly, a deer jumps hill toward five workmen who are repairing the you would answer those questions in order to ourselves, make the complex ethical decisions out in front of your car. You can: 1) jump the tracks. There is the very real possibility that calculate its response. required in living a digital lifestyle. We need to curb and hope you don’t hurt everyone in the the workmen will not see the train in time to We are making moral machines hurry because a need for Character Education car as well as two people on the sidewalk move. However, you can throw a switch and Whenever artificial intelligence crosses the Version 3.0 is already here: training our AI cre- who are out walking their dog; 2) hit the deer, send the trolley on to another track where it line from functional decision-making into ations to be able to think ethically in ways that knowing that doing so would probably injure will kill only one person. Which option is more weighing the fate of human beings, it joins reflect our better selves. When shopping for AI or maybe even kill you and your passengers, ethically sound? Or, in more modern terms, the rest of society in the gray area of moral that supplements and in many ways co-authors and certainly annihilate the deer, or 3) cross how would we program an AI machine — like responsibility. More importantly, in a world of our lives, we will consider not only how smart into oncoming traffic and take a chance you a self-driving car — to respond? deep machine learning, AI entities will develop it is but also how it frames its ethical decisions. can outmaneuver all the cars headed straight In the SUV and deer dilemma, your car is as moral beings by learning from their expe- After all, soon our robots will become our fel- for you. A decision needs to be made in a split being tasked with making the same kind of rience — just as we do. Whatever the car’s low digital citizens. We will want to make sure second. ethical decision that a human would need to AI programming decides to do will feed its they are the kind of neighbors we want living And, oh yes, you aren’t driving. You are in make. So, if you had a few seconds, how might evolving moral sensibilities. We better make in our communities. # an autonomous, self-driving SUV. Your car will you think this through? Is it simple math? sure that our initial SUV programming reflects Jason Ohler is a professor emeritus of edu- need to decide. Even if your car has some kind Option 1 risks hurting five people and two what’s best in us. cational technology and virtual learning, as of override that allows you take control of the dogs. Option 2 guarantees some kind of dam- Cars are just the beginning. Our robots well as a distinguished President’s Professor, vehicle, it is all happening too fast. You have no age, probably to you and your passengers, and and self-aware homes, even the bots we use University of Alaska. When he is not playing choice but to let your car make the decision and most definitely to the deer, and perhaps risks a to answer our email, will also be faced with with his many grandchildren, he is a profes- hope for the best. pileup as traffic behind you swerves to avoid similar moral dilemmas. Most of our new sor in Fielding Graduate University’s Media This is not a contrived situation. Tech ethi- the accident. Option 3 is filled with unknowns, tech will be AI infused in some way. We will Psychology PhD program. At 65 he continues cists are already trying to unravel quandaries putting everyone in your car at risk, as well as shop for the smartest AI we can afford. The to write, conduct research, oversee student like this as AI permeates daily living. And the anyone you might collide with in the oncom- smarter it becomes, the more we will depend PhD activities, and deliver keynotes interna- future is just getting started. ing lane. The number of people who might be on programmers to craft AI that extends us, in tionally about the future of humans and tech- The Trolley Problem, updated with AI hurt is potentially quite high but impossible to McLuhanistic terms, in ways that reflect who nology trying to make peace with each other. 24 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Dr. Jennifer Doudna Mercy College Announces Receives Pearl Meister Brian L. Johnson, Greengard Prize at The New Vice President Rockefeller University of the Mercy College By LYDIA LIEBMAN Recently, The Rockefeller University pre- anhattan ampus sented the highly prestigious Pearl Meister M C Greengard Prize to Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D. Dr. Mercy College has appointed Brian L. in 2003. He also serves as a member of the Doudna is the Li Ka Shing Chancellors Chair Johnson, Ph.D. as Vice President of the Mercy board of trustees for The Trinity Forum and in Biomedical and Health Sciences, a profes- College Manhattan Campus. He will oversee served on the (UNCF) United Negro College sor of chemistry and molecular & cell biology the College’s Herald Square campus. Fund Institutional Board of Directors. Dr. at the University of California, Berkley and With more than 18 years of experience in high- Johnson also served as a 2012–2013 A.C.E. an investigator at Howard Hughes Medical er education, Johnson was selected by Mercy Fellow at Indiana University-Purdue University

Institute. She is best known for her work on University Keegan Houser/The Rockefeller College following a comprehensive search that Indianapolis within the IU Lilly Family School the CRISPR gene-editing technology that has produced a highly qualified pool of applicants. of Philanthropy. This partnership led to a major sparked a scientific revolution. In making the announcement, President Hall convening of foundation and corporate partners The event began with a warm welcome said, “I am excited that Dr. Johnson will join in 2016 held at the NCAA headquarters in delivered by Richard P. Lifton, M.D., Ph.D., the Mercy College senior team. His dedication, Indianapolis, Indiana. President and Carson Family Professor at The experience, and outcomes-oriented approach Prior to Tuskegee University, Johnson served Rockefeller University. After introducing a are exactly what Mercy needs as we enhance as the Vice President of Strategic Planning short video about the prize, he went on to intro- the Mercy Manhattan experience for our stu- and Institutional Effectiveness and Assistant duce the evening’s presenter, philanthropist dents.” Provost for Academic Affairs/Chief Diversity and arts patron Agnes Gund. Known as “Art’s “I was impressed by Mercy College’s spirit Officer at Austin Peay State University. While Grande Dame,” Agnes Gund is President and deep commitment of providing higher edu- at Austin Peay, Johnson was part of the team Emerita, Museum of Modern Art, Founder and cation to a diverse, driven student population,” that increased performance-based funding by Chair of Studio in a School, Founding Donor. said Johnson. “I am looking forward to using 12.9% based upon retention and graduation In her remarks, Gund praised The Rockefeller my student-centric leadership, knowledge, and rates and increased enrollment from 5,000 to University for the special role it plays in public expertise in this position and to capitalize on 10,000 students through a combination of new life. She praised the programs for parents, the the opportunity Mercy Manhattan provides at academic programming. institute for high schoolers, the fellowships for its prime location in the heart of midtown.” The Manhattan Campus of Mercy College, college students, the art offerings and lectures, Dr. Jennifer Doudna Dr. Johnson, who served as president of located in the heart of New York City in Herald as well as the programs for women scientists. Tuskegee University, was instrumental in Square, is a convenient location for those who “There is so much happening here to show how also spoke about the importance of keeping achieving academic excellence, establishing a live or work in New York City. Mercy College seriously The Rockefeller University believes scientists involved in policy discussions. She strategic enrollment plan, which resulted in the has plans to enhance programming, increase that science must be perceived as a public good spoke about the prevalent “unfortunate mis- university’s highest enrollment in the 2016– enrollment, and provide valuable resources for by the public,” she said. She went on to discuss trust” in science and implored her fellow scien- 2017 fiscal year, and implementing academic community partnerships. # the importance of the prize and share some of tists to “get out of the lab” and talk about their innovation through enhanced infrastructure and Mercy College is the dynamic, diverse New her own personal interests and causes. She then research. She also encouraged young scientists technology including the introduction of a new York City area college whose students are introduced Dr. Doudna and gave an overview to seek out mentors. online degree. Johnson increased fundraising on a personal mission: to get the most out of her work. The Pearl Meister Greengard Prize is an initiatives which saw alumni giving increase of life by getting the most out of their educa- Dr. Lipton then came to the podium to pres- international award that recognizes outstand- from 9% to 10.45% and was instrumental tion. Founded in 1950, Mercy is a coeduca- ent the award to Dr. Doudna. He read excerpts ing women in biomedical research. The pres- in growing the visibility of the University tional and nonsectarian college that offers from the citation: tigious award was established by Dr. Paul through media outreach and world renowned more than 90 undergraduate and graduate You are being honored for your incredible Greengard, the Vincent Astor Professor, and commencement speakers such as First Lady degree and certificate programs within five discoveries about RNA structure and function, his wife, the sculptor Ursula von Rydingsvard. Michelle Obama and world-renowned pro- schools: Business, Education, Health and which have provided insight into the mecha- Dr. Greengard donated his entire monetary ducer, director and actor Tyler Perry. Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts and Social and nisms of catalytic RNAs, revealed general share of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Johnson earned an undergraduate degree Behavioral Sciences. principals that guide the folding of numer- Medicine to Rockefeller University to estab- from Johnson C. Smith University, a mas- With campuses in Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, ous physiologically important RNA molecules, lish the annual prize in honor of the accom- ter’s degree in English from the University of Manhattan and Yorktown Heights, the vibrancy unveiled critical aspects of RNA protein inter- plishments of women scientists. The prize was Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in American of the College culture is sustained by a diverse actions, and have contributed mightily to the named in memory of Dr. Greengard’s mother, literature from the University of South Carolina student body from around the region. development of gene editing using CRISPR. who died giving birth to him. Past recipients Following the formal presentation, Dr. of the award, as well as the $100,000 hono- Doudna joined Dr. Lifton for a short conver- rarium, include Dr. Mary Lyon, Dr. Philippa www ducation pdate com sation. They discussed some of the exciting Marrack, Dr. Brenda Milner and Nobel laure- . E U . things going on her lab. She said, “We’re ates Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Carol continuing to understand and investigate the Greider, among others. Joan Didion, Sandra LIKE our Facebook page & follow our posts on the latest news at: fundamental biology of these CRISPR adap- Day O’Connor, Andrea Mitchell, Rachel tive immune systems… the other thing we’re Maddow and former president of Ireland Mary doing increasingly is trying to figure out how Robinson have all been past presenters. Dr. we can use this gene editing technology to Doudna is the 19th recipient of the award over effect human health in positive ways.” They 15 years. # /EducationUpdate NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 25

MOVIE REVIEW Daniel Patrick Moynihan: A Unique Political Figure By DR. LEONARD QUART Daniel Patrick Moynihan was a unique figure in contemporary American politics. His resume was probably more imposing than any US Senator within my lifetime. Among his many Library of Congress accomplishments: US Ambassador to India, UN Representative, US Senator representing NYS, professor at Harvard, and author of sig- nificant books (e.g., Beyond the Melting Pot). The recent documentary Moynihan directed by Joe Dorman and played at the Film Forum provided an extremely sympathetic biographi- cal portrait of this wide-ranging public intel- lectual and liberal politician, emphasizing the power of his ideas rather than exploring his familial life or constructing a vivid personal portrait. We learned that Moynihan spent most of his formative years in various New York neighbor- hoods. Sometimes he had to endure economi- cally hard times (he shined shoes as a boy), and Moynihan also worked for a short period in his mother’s bar in Hells Kitchen. But he attended Tufts during WWII and received his BA and MA there, and ultimately his Ph.D. from Tufts Fletcher School of Diplomacy. And though Moynihan may have nurtured an iden- tity that he was at home with guys who drank beer and worked on the docks, his speeches sounded Churchillian not folksy and he often dressed in Seville Row suits. He may have been deeply committed to helping the poor and the working class, but his personal style was patrician. Still, this is a film about Moynihan the eru- dite, witty, and eloquent (he had a gift for the striking phrase) man of ideas who could be prescient about the decline of the Soviet Union, and his last political causes were such issues a strengthening Social Security and attacking government secrecy. His prime commitment derstood the complexity of an analysis that dren eligible for a minimum stipend, and no primarily remembered for the legislation that was trying to figure out how to go beyond the comprehended that the difficulties of the black longer would the absence of a father be a pre- was passed under his name. groundbreaking civil rights legislation passed family couldn’t be reduced to economics. He condition for welfare. Essentially it was a guar- Moynihan was basically a New Deal liberal, under Johnson that ended much of the brunt of asserted that families were entwined in a variety anteed income for the unemployed and income whose politics defied categorization. He was legal racism, and how to strengthen the black of systems — familial, cultural, and economic supplements to the working poor. However, the opposed to the Vietnam War, but highly critical family, which he saw as reaching a point of — that shaped their existence. Moynihan was plan died in the Senate, under both Republican of the protestors. In fact, he only saw danger disintegration. He described, through pages of of course not advocating that the family should and Democratic opposition. Liberal Democrats in the black and white radicalism of the ‘60s. worrying charts and graphs, the emergence of reconstruct itself in a political vacuum, but opposed it because the income was set too low, He was also antipathetic to the Clintons’ health a “tangle of pathology,” including delinquency, that the federal government must adopt poli- while Republicans viewed it as too generous. care legislation, since he saw no crisis in that joblessness, school failure, crime, and father- cies, especially in education and employment, Moynihan was not only a man of ideas, but area. Still, his range of interests was wide, lessness that were an integral part of underclass “designed to have the effect, directly or indi- also an effective Senator (1977–2001). In his including creating public architecture symbol- behavior. rectly, of enhancing the stability and resources first term he teamed with Jacob K. Javits to izing the “dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stabil- This thesis was published during the Johnson of the Negro American family.” pass legislation guaranteeing $2 billion worth ity” of American government. I didn’t always years as The Moynihan Report (1965) and it Moynihan always went his own way political- of New York City obligations at a time when agree with Moynihan’s politics, but if every instantly aroused controversy. ly — he had a contrarian streak — so in 1969, the city faced bankruptcy. He also successfully Senator had even a portion of his panache, Some white liberal academics and black a conservative president, Nixon, appointed him pushed to shift highway financing toward mass integrity, intellect, and profound commitment intellectuals viewed it as blaming the victim his urban affairs adviser. Moynihan then pro- transit — and get New York $5 billion in ret- to the poor, the current state of our politics and attacked Moynihan’s perspective. Some moted the idea of a Family Assistance Plan over roactive reimbursement for building the New wouldn’t be mired in the foul smelling muck even saw Moynihan as promoting racist views. the opposition of many of the President’s most York State Thruway before the federal govern- we find it in. # Moynihan felt blindsided by what he saw conservative advisers. The Plan would deal ment began the Interstate Highway System, Dr. Leonard Quart is professor emeritus at as underserved attacks that willfully misun- with poverty by making all families with chil- though he was not someone who would be the College of Staten Island. 26 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

Motivating Mathematics from any orientation. His “triangle” solved the American Museum of Natural continued from page 20 problem, as seen in figure 3. Figure 4 shows one such manhole cover in History: Richard Gilder Graduate motivate the subject so that the learners will be the shape of a Reuleaux triangle. eager to learn this required subject, rather than This becomes particularly significant when to feel obligated to learn it as part of this school fire hydrants are designed so that only special School Confers Degrees experience. In recent years, this neglect has tools can turn them on. Often, a pentagonal AMNH AMNH even gotten more obvious, since the evaluation valve screw is used since a common wrench – of teacher performance has become paramount which requires two parallel sides – cannot be in most countries. School performance is typi- used, as would be the case with a hexagonal or cally measured by how well students perform a square valve screw, each of which has a pair in the key subjects, such as mathematics. of parallel opposite sides. With the increase of technology in the instruc- A Reuleaux triangle type valve screw, which tional program, regular testing of students has has the same properties as a circle, but can only become more prevalent and also more statisti- be turned with a wrench of exactly the same cally ripe for comparison purposes. All too shape. One such example of a fire hydrant is often, teachers are observed to be “teaching to shown in figure 5. the test” as they feel that their evaluation and An ambitious parent or a teacher who would teaching performance will be based on the test like to tie this discussion into the curriculum, results of their students. All of this mitigates might want to pursue the connection between against deviating from the tested materials to the Reuleaux triangle and the circle. A curious Richard Gilder Graduate School Dean other aspects of mathematics that are not part property of the Reuleaux triangle is that the John Flynn (pictured) and Provost of Marine biologist Dr. Jane Lubchenco of the curriculum. At the same time, it is clear ratio of its perimeter to its breadth, which is Science Michael Novacek conferred the was honored with the degree Doctor of that motivated students are more receptive ((1/2 • 2πr) / r) = π, is the same as that ratio for Ph.D. degrees Science honoris causa learners. It is unfortunate that throughout most a circle, (2πr/2r) = π. teacher training programs, potential teachers The comparison of the areas of these two AMNH are not exposed to many extracurricular top- shapes is quite another thing, and could be ics that can be used to interest students. Some useful when deciding what shape to make a of these unusual topics are often surprising or manhole cover. The area of the Reuleaux tri- counterintuitive. Not only are they are in and angle can be obtained by adding the three circle of themselves attractive, but they can also be sectors that overlap the equilateral triangle and useful for better understanding everyday life then deducting the pieces that overlap, which experiences. Presentation of these topics is is twice the area of the equilateral triangle.The then complicated by teachers not wanting to total area of the three overlapping circle sec- deviate from the prescribed curriculum for tors, where each is 1/6 of the area of the circle, fear of using time that could otherwise be is equal to 3 (1/6)(πr2). From this we need to more directed at the required curriculum. So, subtract twice the area of the equilateral tri- The 2018 commencement took place under the iconic 21,000-pound fiberglass what are some of these unusual topics? Let angle, which is (r2 √3) / 4. Therefore, the area blue whale model in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life us consider a few of these now; and be aware of the Reuleaux triangle is equal to that parents as well as teachers can use them 3(1/6)(πr2)-2((r2 √3)/4)=((r2/2)(π - √3)) ≈ r2 Recently, the American Museum of Natural the Museum’s provost of science, and Dean productively to make mathematics come alive. ((3.1416 – 1.732)/2) = 0.7048 • r2, while the History’s Richard Gilder Graduate School held its John J. Flynn, the Museum’s graduate school As we explore some of these examples, take area of a circle with diameter of length r is sixth commencement to confer Ph.D. degrees in community also includes postdoctoral schol- note how their counterintuitive nature in and of equal to (π(r/2)2) = (πr2)/4 = 0.7854 • r2. Comparative Biology and Master of Arts degrees ars, undergraduate summer researchers, and itself is motivating since it demonstrates how Therefore, the area of the Reuleaux triangle in Teaching (MAT) under the iconic blue whale graduate students in longstanding collabora- learning mathematics helps us navigate through is less than the area of the circle, which we in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. This year, tive Ph.D. programs with partner universities our lives. can also see rather clearly in figure 6. This is the program graduated 16 new science teachers that include the City University of New York, We begin with a question that most have consistent with our understanding of regular working in high-needs New York schools and six Columbia University, Cornell University, New never thought to ask themselves. When we polygons, where the circle has the largest area Ph.D. graduates in Comparative Biology. York University and Stony Brook University. walk over manhole covers in the street, we for a given diameter. The school houses two graduate programs: The MAT program addresses a critical short- take for granted that they are always circular. Therefore, from a practical standpoint, to The doctoral program in Comparative Biology age of qualified science teachers in New York The question is, why are they always circular in design a manhole cover of a given breadth, and the Master of Arts in Teaching. This year, State, particularly in high-needs schools with shape? Well, the reason is very simple: As you and one that would not be able to fall into the the school celebrated its ten-year anniversary diverse populations, by providing a specializa- can see in figure 1, the circular shape cover can hole, the Reuleaux triangle shape would be the since the first cohort of students enrolled at tion in Earth Science for middle-school and never fall into the hole, as would be the case economic choice as it would require less metal the first museum in the Western Hemisphere high-school teachers. with a square shape cover. construct. Here is an interesting application of to confer degrees. To date, the Richard Gilder President Ellen Futter, former president of Here is where the topic gets enlarged and some genuine mathematics applied to a piece Graduate School has produced 78 MAT gradu- Barnard College, gave an impassioned speech should be of even greater interest to students. It of our environment that we seem to take for ates who are teaching in high-needs New York on the need to prepare future science advocates. is then natural to ask if there is any other shape granted. state schools and 29 Ph.D. graduates, most of “The Richard Gilder Graduate School trains that can be used to cover a manhole and that Percentage problems have long been a whom work in science, academic, educational, young scientists and new science teachers will also not be able to fall into the hole? The nemesis for many people, and unfortunately and museum fields, including at the National within the context of natural history to be the answer was provided by the German engineer tediously taught in the schools. Problems get Science Foundation, the Smithsonian National voices and forces for science and education that Franz Reuleaux (1829 – 1905), who developed particularly unpleasant when multiple percent- Museum of Natural History, Royal Ontario our world so urgently needs. a rather odd-looking shape that is now called a ages need to be calculated for the same base. Museum, and the University of Edinburgh. Futter went on to eloquently say that “Natural Reuleaux triangle, which we show in figure 2. Suppose a store is offering a 20% discount The Richard Gilder Graduate School draws history museums like ours document, protect, This is created by beginning with an equilateral on top of an already discounted price of 10%. on the Museum’s world-renowned collections, educate about and celebrate the natural world triangle and drawing a circular arc on each side Intuitively, many people will assume that is the distinguished faculty, and tradition of globe- and the cultures of humanity.” Our graduates with the circle’s center at the opposite vertex. equivalent of a 30% discount. This, of course, spanning expeditions for its innovative Ph.D. go forth in a time that needs them so urgently- One might wonder how Franz Reuleaux ever is not true! program in comparative biology, which covers a time when some of society’s loudest voices thought of this triangle. It turns out that he was THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES the origins, history, and range of life on Earth. devalue science and reason, denigrate diversity in search of a button that was not round, but ONLINE AT Under the leadership of Michael J. Novecek, and even truth.” # still could fit through a button hole equally well www.EducationUpdate.com NOV/DEC 2018 ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE 27

Dr. Brenda Greene Medicare Rights Delivers Son’s Remarks Center Honors at ew ork istorical N Y H Dr. Oliver Fein By OLIVER FEIN, MD ociety vent To be honored by the Medicare Rights By LYDIA LIEBMANS E the Constitution made with Center, an organization that provides “direct This fall, The New York slavery, or as it was often services to patients (consumers) and pub- Historical Society hosted a euphemistically called, “the lic policy initiatives” directed at making special preview for its new peculiar institution.” The “Medicare and the entire health care system exhibit “Black Citizenship in Fugitive Slave Clause, which better for all Americans” is a special honor. the Age of Jim Crow”. This promised that escaped slaves In a focused way, it is what I have tried to do is the inaugural exhibition could be recaptured. The con- through caring for a diverse group of patients for the New York Historical tinuation of the trans-Atlantic from all social classes and advocating for an Society’s newest initiative, slave trade for another 20 expanded and improved Medicare for All. which is dedicated to telling Dr. Brenda Greene years after ratification of the The Medicare Rights Center has been an the story of struggle for free- Constitution. The so-called important compliment to my activities. For the dom, civil rights, and equality in America. The three-fifths compromise, which unnaturally last 20 years, each year I have organized and exhibition explores the struggle for full citizen- increased the basis for political representation taught a course for internal medicine residents ship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 in southern states. That compromise affected called “Perspectives on the Changing Health years after the Civil War. not only the composition of the House of Care System” (POCHS) in which I describe The keynote speaker was Dr. Brenda Greene, Representatives but also the composition of the complexity of our multi-payer, for-profit who delivered the remarks written by her the Electoral College. That in turn affected the health insurance system. In the course of their son, Jamal Greene. Dr. Brenda Greene is the presidency. With just two exceptions, every one clinical practices, residents will have patients Founder and Executive Director of the Center of the fifteen U.S. presidents from the founding who will ask: “Should I enroll in the original for Black Literature, Director of National of the nation until Lincoln was either a slaveo- Medicare program or a Medicare Advantage Black Writer’s Conference and Chair of the wner or was openly sympathetic to the interests Plan?” I tell the residents, you do not have Dr. Oliver Fein English Department at Medgar Evers College. of slaveholders. The two exceptions were John the expertise to answer that question…just In addition to her myriad accomplishments, Adams, who served just one term, and John give your patients the number of the Medicare as they did [recently], the conversation has she is the mother of two famous men: the Quincy Adams, who also served only one term Rights Center. (Take out your cell phones changed. This year, the New York Health Act rapper and activist Talib Kweli and Jamal and who did not actually receive the most elec- and enter it.) Be sure that your patients know passed the New York State Assembly 2-to- Greene, Dwight Professor of Law at Columbia toral votes in the election he won. that they can even get personal counselling at 1 on June 1 and had 31 co-sponsors in the University. Jamal Greene was unable to deliver The Civil War was of course fought over Medicare Rights. This is probably the most Senate. Medicare for All is a topic of much his keynote remarks in person because he was the maintenance and expansion of slavery. helpful concrete information they get out of wider political dialogue. in Washington D.C. assisting Senator Kamala Full stop. And the constitutional changes that my course. In closing, I would like to recognize some Harris during the high profile Brett Kavanaugh emerged from the Civil War are what we honor In addition, I suggest to my colleagues who of the colleagues who have made it possible Senate hearings. when we celebrate this year the 150th anniver- are Medicare for All advocates that they should for me to receive this award. Dr. Madelon Dr. Greene delivered some words of her sary of the Fourteenth Amendment, the jewel of consult the Medicare Rights Center’s website. Finkel, Director of the Office of Global Health own before presenting those of her sons. “This the Reconstruction Amendments. Dr. Betsy Rosenthal, a retired dermatologist at Education, which provides Weill Cornell stu- exhibit is extremely important in this time when The constitution, he explained, is grounded Albert Einstein College of Medicine decided to dents international rotations in developing the voting rights of people of color are under in the promise of the Fourteenth Amendment do just that — and became a volunteer coun- and developed countries, where students can attack and being eroded … when the rights of and the other Reconstruction amendments. He selor for the Medicare Rights Center once a experience universal coverage systems; Drs. immigrants are being violated, when the rights went on to tell an anecdote about a time he week. She has had ten letters to the editor pub- Susana Morales and Elizabeth Wilson-Anstey of those who were formerly incarcerated are visited Cadiz, Ohio, where John Bingham, lished in the New York Times and is an articu- from Weill Cornell’s Office of Diversity and eroded, and the rights of naturalized citizens are primary author of the Fourteenth Amendment, late speaker on single payer Medicare for All Inclusion, who have championed programs for being questions,” she said. She also praised the grew up. “But when you talk to the folks at the for Physicians for a National Health Program. under-represented minorities at Weill Cornell; New York Historical Society for raising aware- tiny historical society office a block from the Clearly, single-payer National Health Dr. Monika Safford, Chief of the Division ness of social justice and civil rights issues Cadiz courthouse about the statue, they groan Insurance reform has been my passion for of General Internal Medicine, founder and through their exhibits over the years. that tourists always think it’s a statue of Clark many years. When I was a Robert Wood Co-Director of Cornell’s Center for Health She then went on to delivery her son’s Gable. You see, “The King of Hollywood” Johnson Health Policy Fellow in the Office Equity; Dr. Martin Shapiro, health services remarks. Mr. Greene’s thoughtful words cov- was born and grew up in Cadiz. Gable is the of Senate Majority leader George Mitchell in researcher in the Division of General Medicine; ered a lot of ground. He praised his mother, one whose birthplace tourists come to Cadiz 1994 in the midst of the Clinton health reform as well as Emilie George and Christopher who he called his “bridge” to the exhibit. to see,” he said. The reason many people do effort, I remember seeing Bruce Vladeck at all Gamboa, medical students who started the He went on to discuss his late grandmoth- not remember Bingham is because of the Lost the Finance Committee hearings in his role as Students for a National Health Program chap- er, Beverly Moorehead, who recently passed Cause narrative. This narrative, in a sense, Administrator for the Health Care Financing ter at Weill Cornell. Recently, Emilie was away. “I mention my grandmother because rewrites history by painting the Confederate Administration of HHS. However, there was the primary organizer of a student confer- this exhibit is about memory. It is about what cause as a heroic one against great odds despite no mention of single payer. Then in 2009, at ence on Advocacy in Medicine held at the we remember, and how we remember and who its defeat. The movement, Jamal said, was the White House Health Care Summit, when NY Academy of Medicine that was attended we remember.” His remarks went on to discuss successful in shaping and distorting collective I was President of Physicians for a National by over 200 students from all eight medical the constitution and how the story of the U.S. memory of the Reconstruction. In his words, Health Program, I spoke with President Obama schools in the NY metropolitan area. Constitution is “a deeply racialized story” due this exhibit recovers the struggle and recaptures about improved Medicare for All, but he felt Thank you all for being here with me and to the many explicit bargains the Constitution the nobility of a people too easily forgotten. we were not ready for such a reform. However making it possible for me to receive this award. made with slavery. His remarks read: The exhibition runs through March, 2019 and when the New York Times features Medicare We are all grateful for the recognition by the Many of you are aware of the explicit bargains is not to be missed. # for All on the front page of the Sunday Review, Medicare Rights Center for this honor. # 28 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

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YOUNG JOURNALIST Ambassador Ido oys ill e oys BBy KATIE DIAMENT W B B Aharoni Receives I often used to fantasize of growing up when my grandparents did. I would close my eyes, listen to the soundtrack eadership ward of Dirty Dancing and pretend I was L A in their shoes. Life seemed so simple. Life seemed so fun. Life seemed like everything I had ever wanted and more. from Kidum Growing up in New York City, I was taught to be independent at a young age. As much as I loved New York, I felt as though I was missing a huge chunk of my childhood. I wished I could play in the street as my father did. I wished I could have gone over to my neighbor’s for dinner without having to be escorted by my parents or babysitter. I fanta- sized partaking in movies like Grease and Sixteen Candles and television pro- grams like The Wonder Years, where we would attend school dances and football games. Life seemed so light-hearted. My grandparents would describe their lunch excursions where they would escape from their Weehawken school, hop on the New York City ferry, and explore (much like the plot in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). This white picket fence life is everything I wanted, however as time pro- Grady exclaims, “It’s a high school love story. gresses the picture of that great quality of life It’s been celebrated for 34 years for its sweet, diminishes. The idealistic American Dream romantic heart. Yet it is entirely willing to fea- society is shattered more and more as I grow ture a lengthy, supposedly hilarious subplot in older and examine the issues present in society. which a drunk and unconscious girl is passed With recent allegations against Kavanaugh, from one boy to another and then raped.” my eyes have forever been open. The rape cul- During 5th period on the day of the initial ture within the suburbs of Washington D.C in hearing, I received a text from my grand- the 1980s was prevalent. In fact, hearings, with mother. “So, do you think he did it?” I asked numerous schools within the area, were held my grandma what she thought, and who she in Bethesda, Maryland in the ‘80s to discuss believed. I often get frustrated with my older the major issue at hand. The fact that seven family members and their political opinions and schools decided it was enough of a problem to beliefs. As I have gotten older and more politi- address proves that this issue must have been cally inclined, I can see the differences in opin- quite significant. The letter warned parents that ions between the generations. So, Kavanaugh their children were in danger and that they “had or Plessey Ford? My grandma told me that developed a party culture that included heavy she kept changing whom she believed. She drinking leading to ‘sexual or violent behav- exclaimed that when she was little everyone ior’”. Taking advantage of a woman was a lived by the motto, “boys will be boys,” and common theme and was illustrated throughout that those were the words by which she lived. the media. In a Vox article, Constance Grady I now question my childhood fantasies. Do I explains that the typical high school love story, really wish that I had partaken in an upbringing in movies and television, consisted of some like those of the older generations, when boys Longtime educator Dr. Charlotte Frank and Ambassador Ido Aharoni form of sexual misconduct. In Sixteen Candles, would just be boys? Should I be grateful for the a drunk girl is tossed around by two different situational awareness of my peers, especially The Consul General of Israel in NY, “What improves learning is the key ques- guys at a party. Jake Ryan, known as the ideal growing up in New York City? Should I feel Ambassador Ido Aharoni, received a leadership tion we should ask,” according to Aharoni. dream boy of every teenage girl’s deepest fan- safer? award from the American Friends of Kidum “Learning happens when you allow people to tasies, had a reputation that lasted for decades. I told my grandma that this is no way to live. recently at a gala at the Jewish Museum. Kidum express themselves.” In the film, he cold-bloodedly hands a drunk She agreed and said it wasn’t a choice, that is a society for the advancement of education in Students come from more than 120 commu- and unconscious Caroline over to another guy this was something that was ingrained in you Jerusalem with the goal of empowering youth nities. Each student receives an individualized and says, “Have fun.” This advertising of rape as you were growing up. I said I did not get it, from disadvantaged communities to attain dis- set of tools for success, and alumni are a source culture made it seem like situations like this and questioned how one could not feel inclined tinction in their social, educational and leader- of national pride. were ok, thus proving and raising issues of to do something about the masculine mentality. ship endeavors. Dr. Charlotte Frank, a long-time advocate and gender equality during these time periods. We She simply said, “We didn’t question things Currently, a global distinguished professor at supporter of Kidum, was present and received often don’t address or recognize these issues then.” # NYU’s School of International Relations, he is a great deal of recognition and applause for her as they are portrayed subconsciously through- Katie Diament is a student at The Beacon the founder of Emerson Rigby, an Israel-based work. # out different films from this era. Constance School in Manhattan. consultancy firm. 30 EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

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OBITUARY Elizabeth Shwal: WAVES '44, Barnard '51 By DR. POLA ROSEN Transcribed By VALENTINA CORDERO How did you become a WAVE? I went to Barnard on the GI Bill because I was out of the Navy after WWII. My rank was aviation machinist mate, AMM, 2C (second class). I was in for 33 months. I went in as soon as I was 20 - I had to be 20 to get in - and I came out when the president said it was time for the volunteers to get out. WAVES stands for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, that's what we did. Everyone was excited about the war. Hitler was doing terrible things, and so was Mussolini. And this was an opportunity for young people to get involved. And they paid us $52 a month. But we weren't sent overseas because they were afraid of putting women on the boats, so the women had their own barracks, separate from the men. We worked with the men, we ate with the men, and we shot with the men, and we went on liberty with the men, but we didn't sleep in the same buildings. What did you do as part of WAVES? My first assignment was boot camp at Hunter College in the Bronx where they taught us to be Navy people, and we were there for several weeks. And then they sent us to different train- ing schools, I went to the training school in Memphis TN for six weeks to learn how to be what they called a machinist's mate. I remem- ber one job I had to do was take something apart and put it back together again. I never saw one like it again but I did it, that once, and I put it together and I didn't have any pieces left over, so I guess I did it right. I worked on machinery that made planes fly. I was in the aviation part. I was in Pensacola for my regular job for 27 months after I was through with the regular training. My main job was to put the oil and gas in and wave them in and out. They just told us where to put it and how to do it, it wasn't very difficult, but somebody had to do it, and if the girls did it then the boys could be free to do something else, in theory. Then I went to Barnard, met a fellow, liked him and went to meet his family. He took me entitled to a college degree on the GI bill so I second husband. While there I had secretarial Well I think women have it a lot better today for a walk in the woods and I fell down and finished Barnard and took a Master's degree jobs. than they did when I was a kid. I've been in broke an arm and a leg. I was in the hospital at NYU. The only Master's degree they would When he opened a law office, I became banks where women were big bosses and for 10 days and had to leave school for a while. give in one year was elementary education so the secretary. And then he died. I had a job stores where women have been very important, That's why I didn't graduate until '51. Now I'm that meant I should be a school teacher. Well, at Boston University for a little while, for a and it wasn't like that when I was younger. still here. I was 90 last month. I did teach school one year {she laughs} and I professor there, taking his dictation and typ- I think it's very good that we have more sena- What were your experiences after got fired at the end of it, and that was the end ing it up. tors that are women than we had. And we're Barnard? of that. Then I met and married Zachary, an Egyptian beginning to have more congress people who Well, it's a little hard to remember, it's all a So then I went to Europe. I stayed in England from Harvard. We were married for about 20 are women, both in the state legislature and in long time ago. I married for four years, and a year, and then went to Germany because my years and then he died. Washington. I think that's a good thing. then finally realized it was a mistake so I went brother was part of the Foreign Service and he Proudest accomplishments: I think that, of course we were taught....I to Reno and got a divorce - that was the way was stationed in Munich. That's pretty hard to say. I'm an active mem- was brought up in Scarsdale but I had my last you did it back then. My parents didn't want Career Goals: ber of the League of Women Voters and the two years in Quaker boarding school in PA and me to go to college because I had two younger I taught English in Munich for a while Women's City Club here in New York for a they were interested in government too. I was brothers that had to go to Yale, they were very because they had a Berlitz school where I long time. My mother was with the League of always interested in government. As a matter important. As a girl, I didn't count. That's how could get paid. After four years I came back, Women Voters while I was still in high school of fact I majored in government at Barnard and it was then. When I got out of the service, I was stayed with a girlfriend in Boston and met my Thoughts on women's education today: I?m still concerned with it. # EDUCATION UPDATE ■ FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS ■ NOV/DEC 2018

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