Working Hand in Hand
Celebrating the educators who make Project Success possible
Every day, Project Success works alongside teachers, counselors, principals, and school staff who know their students, believe in what’s possible for them and help create the conditions for them to thrive.
This August, we brought hundreds of our educator partners together for two Teacher & Staff Appreciation Nights at the Guthrie Theater and Target Field. The evenings were a chance to celebrate them, but also to hear from them.
We asked seven educators what Project Success looks like from their side of the partnership.
Here’s what they had to say.
“One thing that Project Success does that we are also trying to do in the classroom is get students to think about what comes next. Not just remember what we’re reading now, but really think about your next steps, your dreams.
And Project Success gets them to think about life.… So the same way that as a teacher, you’re trying to open a door for students, Project Success is doing that.… It just goes hand in hand.”
Jim Schmit
Assistant Principal, Justice Page Middle School
“Especially with both of my schools, which serve minority students, immigrants, English language learners, Project Success makes such a big difference in our students’ lives and learning experience.…
And my students have had amazing experiences that they would never had other than because of Project Success: theater, parks, leadership, the trip to Washington.… [When] they come back, they come completely transformed into leaders.”
Dr. Isabel Rodriguez-Mendoza
Principal, Wellstone International High School and Heritage STEM Academy
“I love that Project Success can bring in different modalities to connect with the kids and inspire the kids. We have a phenomenal facilitator who connects with the kids differently than I do, which is lovely.”
Veann Beutler
7th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Northeast Middle School
“[The] college and career counseling that I do is directly enriched and overlapped with the work that Project Success does.
We have the same goals in working with students on their post-secondary thoughts and preparation and just giving them those real life experiences.”
Chris Castellano
School Counselor, Wellstone International High School and Heritage STEM Academy
“I taught high school and Project Success really not only came into the classroom and was inspiring students to think about themselves and the future, but they had afterschool workshops that helped students think about, ‘How can I get to that future?’
And then for middle school, just the joy that is brought into the classroom as well.”
Sarah Goldammer
Language & Literature Teacher, Anthony Middle School
“The way that I work with Project Success is that I take advantage of the free tickets to see shows just like students.
And to me, it’s a way of getting out of the routine, relaxing and seeing something fun. I think that it’s also a great benefit for our students. They have the opportunity to go and get inspired at the theater – and they can get out with their families.
I think that community aspect is very important.”
Paulino Brener
Spanish Teacher, Washburn High School
“My 10th grade teacher, Mike Weinberg. He was the first guy, first teacher, first authority figure to really question me and challenge me, and push me. And it was awesome because he didn’t take my crap. He asked me for the truth and I liked that…
The facilitators I’ve had, Micah and Noah, those guys, they connect with some kids in that way Mike Weinberg connected with me.
They do that. They do that every year.”
Jeff Darling
10th and 12th Grade English Teacher, Edison High School