As the 2025–2026 academic school year draws to a close, NYU Metro Center pauses to honor, celebrate, and express our deepest gratitude to the educators, school leaders, and advocates across the country who stand on the front lines of the education justice movement.
This past year has presented formidable challenges for those tasked with nurturing and teaching our children. From legislative rollbacks and curriculum censorship to systemic funding inequalities and attacks on inclusive environments, educators and community members have navigated a complex and often turbulent landscape. Yet, in the face of these pressures, their commitment to developing new ways of making equity more responsive to the most vulnerable communities has remained steadfast.
In addition to highlighting the efforts of those in the education justice movement across the country, our gratitude also extends to those in our own Metro Center community who have also accepted the challenge of this essential work.
NYU Steinhardt Recognition Event
NYU Metro Center is gratified by the extraordinary commitment team members have made throughout the 2025–2026 academic year. We would like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank-you and well-deserved congratulations to those staff members who were recognized with special honors and awards during a recent NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development Recognition Event. The Steinhardt Recognition Event is a ceremony dedicated to acknowledging the contributions of the school’s administrators, researchers, and technical and clerical staff.
NYU Metro Center would also like to congratulate the following administrators, staff, and researchers for reaching significant career milestones.
Recognition of Years of Service
5 Years
- Rhea Almeida: Research Project Manager, the Center for Policy, Research, and Evaluation (PRE) & the Education Justice Research and Organizing Collaborative (EJ-ROC)
10 Years
- Clotilde Santana-Eccardi: Resource Specialist, NYS Statewide Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN)
- Brandy Stanfill-Hobbs: Director of Consultation, Nest Support Project
Gratitude and Renewal
As we transition into the summer months, we encourage our educator community to embrace a period of well-deserved rest, healing, and reflection. True sustainability in equity work requires us to care for ourselves with the same intentionality that we bring to our classrooms.
To all the teachers, counselors, administrators, and community partners who have labored with love and dedication this year: NYU Metro Center applauds you. We are deeply honored to stand in community with you, and we look forward to continuing our shared journey toward a more just and equitable future.
To stay connected with NYU Metro Center’s ongoing research, resources, and upcoming professional development opportunities for the new academic year, please sign up for our monthly newsletter or visit our website.
