I am a 1988 graduate of the early childhood leadership program, and for decades, I had very little to do with Bank Street—except meeting up annually with my former program director at national conferences. Then, in the summer of 2006, I had the opportunity to return to Bank Street to take a couple of classes as part of a sabbatical. At that point, I was introduced to the Alumni Association (BSCAA). I was living in Washington, DC, and I was looking for an excuse to get to New York City on a regular basis, so I volunteered to serve on the Advisory Board—which had quarterly meetings (pre-Zoom, and in-person) and required that I participate in at least two other events each year.
My ulterior motives for reconnecting have led to a rich involvement with BSCAA ever since—I have served as secretary of BSCAA and later as president. I can think of at least two reasons to be grateful for this connection:
First of all, Bank Street is about relationships and learning through other people; not having and preserving those connections impoverishes the well of knowledge and support that you need on a daily basis to be a good educator. I have deepened my knowledge of education through participating in events at the College—not just through events like the Barbara Biber Convocation and Niemeyer Series lectures, but mainly through discussions and conversations with other alums, testing out ideas and hearing new ones. We all have lots of opportunities (and requirements) for continuing our education, but only at Bank Street itself do we get to explore and deepen our growth through a philosophy that resonates with us.
Secondly, some of these folks I have known now for nearly 15 years have become colleagues and friends—and we all need that. They are wonderful people with whom I am pleased to know and spend time.
Oh, and I can think of a third reason for being involved—the College needs you! Not everyone will have opportunities like I have had—serving on the College’s presidential search committee as an alum representative or volunteering at a Black Lives Matter at School Week event. But you never know. There are so many opportunities for service and volunteering at Bank Street, and there will be more once we return to in-person events.
If you are thinking about becoming a Bank Street student, I would like you to know that Bank Street has an active alumni association in BSCAA that can support you after graduation. For those of you at Bank Street now or about to graduate—stay connected. You won’t regret it. And don’t wait 20 years like I did to reconnect.