View from a teacher's desk

View from a teacher's desk

Mark S. Williams, M.Ed.

Luckily I chose a vital profession for my life’s work because I can keep working during any shutdowns, albeit from my desk overlooking the Providence River when there schools are locked down. My teaching position at Paul Cuffee Upper School, a maritime-themed charter school in Providence, also affords me many other benefits. I get to work with focused teenagers from different and challenging backgrounds in a small school (less than 300 students in grades 9-12). My commute when school is physically in session is essentially a ride from Pawtuxet Village through Roger Williams Park to Elmwood Avenue.

The size of Paul Cuffee Upper School allows the staff to get to know every child and not let anyone fall through the cracks. Such circumstances have probably contributed to the school being ranked for two years in a row by US News and World Report as the number one charter school in Rhode Island, the top high school in Providence along with Classical High School, and one of the top 20 schools in Rhode Island. The ranking is based on the pass-rate for Advanced Placement exams, graduation rate, proportion of under-served population, and the like. This ranking is particularly striking since the under-served student population equates to 93% minority (mostly Latino) and 73% economically disadvantaged. Furthermore, the Latino population in Providence has disproportionately suffered the most dire consequences regarding the Covid 19 onslaught.

So, the view from this old union teacher’s desk is never dull and I am lucky to be in the position I am. Finally, check out the namesake of the school, Paul Cuffee. He was quite a man, and his wife and family were trailblazers along with him.

English

Home office overlooking the Providence River

My recent experiences as a teacher in Providence