Coordinators will promote a positive school climate and increase student engagement in middle schools
Providence, RI- Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced that the Providence School Board formally approved the hiring of six school culture coordinators at a special public meeting held at the Providence Public School District’s offices last night. School culture coordinators represent a new initiative by Mayor Elorza and the school department to promote a positive school climate and increase student engagement. The hiring of a seventh and final coordinator is expected to be approved at the board’s January meeting.
“Providing a supportive and inspiring learning environment is critical for student success, especially during a challenging time like the middle school years,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “I’m thrilled to welcome the new coordinators who will serve as role models and engage students and community partners in all of our middle schools.”
Each school culture coordinator will be assigned to one of Providence’s seven public middle schools, where they will work with administrators on site to leverage community partners for additional in-school and out-of-school assistance, increase leadership opportunities for students and offer greater levels of social-emotional support. In particular, coordinators will be tasked with implementing restorative justice practices that use facilitated conversations and community service to understand and repair harm.
School culture coordinators approved by the board include:
- Nerise Beckford-Joly, who has been working as a restorative conference facilitator with Family Service of Rhode Island.
- Jason Figueroa, a youth program leader most recently serving as an impact manager for City Year Providence.
- Stephen Larbi, a teen program coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket and a member of the Pawtucket Youth Commission.
- Erroll Lomba, a director of youth and justice programs with Rhode Island for Community and Justice.
- Carina Monge, a career and technical education program coordinator for the school district.
- Elsie Palmieri, an education advisor who has worked with American Student Assistance and RI College Crusade.