(ATLANTA, GA)--- Lindsey Luczynski has a smile on her face, proud to work for the Charles R. Drew Charter School.
Founded in 2000, Charles R. Drew Charter School is Atlanta’s first public charter school, where students receive quality education.
Photo Credit: Jorden Hampton Zoom
Luczynski shared her perspective on learning as it pertains to the Charles R. Drew Charter School.
"Education and community are in the DNA of what we're doing here," Luczyski said."I can't even imagine either one without the other."
It's all about helping the students.
Photo Credit: Perkins and Will
“Drew's innovative Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach with an integrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) framework and a strong foundation in literacy helps all students reach their highest potential,” According to their website.
Charles R. Drew Charter School serves more than 1,800 students in grades Pre-K through 12.
Luczynski currently serves as the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development for the school.
“I kind of manage our grants and our development, and a lot of the relationships we have with the partners and stakeholders,” Luczynski said.
Education has always been important for her.
“When I was an undergrad, I actually was interested first in sociology,” Luczynski, who is a native of Atlanta, said. “I was an English major and got really interested in sociology, just thinking about how systems and policies impact what's happening in different institutions. And so public education was central for me.”
She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Emory University and her master’s degree in sociology from Stanford University.
Learning about sociology helped her understand how people interact in academic settings.
“A lot of what happens in the world, I think, there's a microcosm of that in a school and in a classroom,” Lucyski, who is currently working on getting her Phd from Georgia State University, said.
Luczynski has seen Charles R. Drew Charter School evolve since she began in 2005.
The school opened a high school in 2013, starting with ninth grade, and graduated its first class in 2017 with a 100% graduation rate. Drew’s upcoming spring graduating class will be its 10th.
Luczynski stated that the school has been part of a holistic community revitalization that incorporates education, mixed-income housing, and community wellness.
She has stayed grounded because every day is different and the work is exciting.
Students receive a well-rounded education. Luczynski described how the students learn and the activities they participate in to grow as young scholars.
“The kids aren't just sitting at desks all day,” Luczynski said.”They're working in groups.
They're solving real-world problems.”
Charles R. Drew Charter School and Luczynski are affiliated with the East Lake Foundation and the community. She described the East Lake Foundation as the community quarterback.
“We first focus on the villages of Eastlake, which is the mixed-income community around us and in the surrounding neighborhoods,” Luczynski said.
“Drew Charter School is one of our cornerstone partners in the East Lake neighborhood,” East Lake Foundation, established in 1995, said. “The East Lake Foundation works closely alongside Drew’s leadership, families, and community partners to ensure students and families have access to the resources, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive.”
The East Lake Foundation highlighted Luczynski on their Facebook page in December. The organization wanted to recognize individuals who have helped shape the East Lake community for the past 30 years.
Photo Credit: East Lake Foundation Facebook
Luczynski’s longevity and impact were honored.
“Her more than 20 years of dedication to Drew Charter School represent the kind of sustained commitment that drives meaningful change,” East Lake Foundation said.
Luczynski has also developed strong relationships with her co-workers. They meet outside of school, working to find solutions to serve students best.
She respects the people who are tasked with developing young scholars.
“We're set up with, you know, strong teams of classroom teachers and instructional coaches,” Luczynski said.
Trusting Charles R. Drew Charter School’s strong academic foundation has allowed
Luczynski to feel comfortable enrolling her children. She has two children, one in sixth grade and one in third grade, and both have been at Drew since kindergarten.
She raved about how special Charles R. Drew Charter School is.
“Drew's a place that kind of draws you in and gets you, makes you feel like you're part of something larger and part of a family,” Luczynski said.”So it's really, I mean, it's convenient having my kids at the school, but I also get to see the reality lived out. Like all of the work we're doing, I get to see it in my kids, their friends, and my colleagues.”
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact jorden.h@lead4earth.org.
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