Transforming Lives through Afterschool Programs and Educational Equity

Rachael Gazdick, CEO, New York Edge

Rachael Gazdick, CEO, New York Edge

Rachael is an educational leader, with 25 years of experience dedicated to achieving impactful outcomes for the most underserved students and their communities. Throughout her extensive career, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to promoting educational equity.

Please tell us about the journey that you've had so far and your roles and responsibilities at New York Edge.

My educational journey began as an undergraduate student at Syracuse University, where I immersed in volunteerism, social justice initiatives, and was involved in adult literacy. After majoring in communications, I joined Teach for America, which places recent college graduates in the country's most under-resourced schools across the country and taught in under-resourced schools for two years. My diverse experiences include training in South Central Los Angeles and teaching in southwest Louisiana after the Rodney King riots. I pursued advanced studies at Boston College and Harvard University, focusing on community organizing, public policy, social movements, and education policy.

Returning to Syracuse University, I worked on a Ph.D. in cultural foundations of education. Over the years, I have held leadership roles in national nonprofits, worked on the CSTA Education Initiative in Syracuse, and served as CEO of the I Have A Dream Foundation Colorado. I also taught at multiple universities, ran refugee after-school programs, and contributed to the refugee resettlement movement. Currently, I am the CEO of New York Edge.

Could you elaborate on how New York Edge’s emphasis on programs in the arts and STEM fields contributes to advancing educational equity and preparing students for future opportunities?

New York Edge has emerged as the largest provider of school-based after-school programs in New York City. Operating in 129 schools across all five boroughs of New York City and expanding to Long Island, our organization serves students from kindergarten to college. In addition, we have established partnerships with 19 community schools in collaboration with the City of New York, offering comprehensive wraparound services, including mental health support, parent classes, health centers, and food pantries.

New York Edge’s core content program focuses on sports, health, and wellness, providing opportunities for kids to engage in over 50 sports. We also conduct a National Institute of Health study, known as the Hip Hop HEALS Program, in collaboration with Columbia University's School of Public Health and Dr. Oladjide Williams. This study addresses food insecurity, promotes access to healthy food choices, and explores community gardens, aiming to enhance the overall well-being of children for academic success.

“At New York Edge, we embrace the philosophy of pushing boundaries and recognizing limitless possibilities. In a world filled with abundant opportunities, our mission is to ensure that every child has unfettered access to it all.”

Our extensive visual and performing arts program aims to nurture young talent. Notably, selected students had the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall, where they received training from Misty Copeland and the Rockettes as part of a program led by the Garden of Dreams Foundation. We also stay ahead of future job trends, conducting panels with industry giants like Google and Microsoft to explore issues such as the impact of AI on education.

Across the board, each of our initiatives place a strong focus on social-emotional learning. and New York Edge seeks to enhance mental health programming across all sites. Acknowledging the heightened mental health challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, we are dedicated to addressing issues like anxiety, depression, and suicide among young people.

For high school students, we offer programming that is centered around college and career readiness. New York Edge emphasizes preparing students for both academic and social aspects of college life, offering immersive experiences like summer courses at universities. The ultimate goal is not just helping students get accepted into college, but ensuring they thrive academically and find fulfilling career pathways after graduation.

Is there a project initiative related to educational equity that you've been a part of lately at your organization?

New York Edge secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Jacob J. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program to pioneer the first afterschool program focused on gifted and talented education. Unlike many schools concentrating on remediation, our organization aims to stretch students academically through out-of-school time, providing extra opportunities and exposure. The program prioritizes student interest and enthusiasm for learning rather than relying solely on test scores. The emphasis is on attracting students who actively seek to enroll and focus on advancing in areas like STEM. The program, currently in a pilot phase, is being studied by Purdue University's Gifted and Talented Center, making it the first-of-its-kind model for accelerated learning. The goal is to prepare all students for competitive high school slots in New York City.

New York Edge emphasizes the significance of the ACT by Mosaic SEL model in implementing social-emotional learning across all of our sites and conducting comprehensive assessments of children's mental health and well-being. Notably,

our STEM programs, featuring robotics, coding, and chess, showcase our organization's commitment to fostering a deep exploration of students' interests. Even during the pandemic, chess emerged as a particularly accessible option for online engagement, leading to national chess championships for the participating students. The positive outcomes observed across these programs underscore the effectiveness of providing opportunities for students to delve deeply into areas that capture their interest.

One of our particularly intriguing projects involves a book publishing initiative where students participate in creating and releasing their own books and collaborate with Pixar illustrators to bring their narratives to life. These books are then made available for purchase on platforms like Barnes and Noble or Amazon. The objective is twofold: to foster a love for reading and comprehension among children while also honing their presentation skills. The young authors also engage in book signings at notable bookstores, creating a sense of accomplishment. This innovative approach replaces traditional activities with a hands-on, exciting method that sparks enthusiasm for reading and writing in the young participants.

Formative, a podcast that I co-host with our middle school students, is a professionally produced show sponsored by Macy's. The unique concept involves students taking over as hosts and interviewing accomplished individuals from various fields. The podcast, now entering its sixth season, has attracted a diverse range of notable figures, including the Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA, Grammy Award-winning group Alphabet Rockers, astronauts, and even the former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland from the Obama administration. Formative aims to showcase the diverse and challenging journeys individuals undertake to reach the pinnacle of their careers, emphasizing that success is not always a linear path. The podcast has gained national recognition as an educational tool, providing valuable insights for students across the country.

Any specific piece of advice that you'd like to share with your fellow peers or other industry leaders?

In advocating for youth education, my belief is rooted in giving young people a voice and choice, fostering experiences that spark intellectual curiosity and keep them engaged. Emphasizing innovation in learning spaces is key, with the idea that setting high expectations encourages children to rise to challenges. It is important to prepare students to be creative, critical thinkers, acknowledge the evolving nature of the job market and the need for problem-solving skills. I find great satisfaction in the out-of-school or afterschool space because it allows for immense creativity.