Tomiko Abreu

Q: Do you agree with the idea of learning through internship as opposed to a five day class schedule, if so, what made you switch to City As as opposed to a regular high school environment?
A: I agree with the idea of learning through internships because internships give students real world experience. These experiences can help students develop life skills, such as decision making, time management and critical thinking, that are useful in both post secondary education and developing a career path. It is important that students are prepared not only to graduate from high school, but to be successful once they graduate. At City-as-School students have more freedom, but with that freedom comes responsibility. Students have to take the initiative to complete their portfolio, earn their credits and complete their internship hours.

Q: How many years have you worked at city as school for?
A: I started in early-2015.

Q: What subject area do you teach and if you are a resource coordinator what area do you cover?
A: I work in the college and career office (room 307) and assist students who need academic support. I teach college and career seminars, work with students in graduation seminars, provide portfolio completion support, assist students with SAT review, prep for college entrance exams, college essay writing and resume writing.

Q: If you worked at a previous high school before City As, how would you compare the learning experience, would you say students learn faster in internship or in a regular classroom environment?
A: I think the experience at City-as-School allows students to immerse themselves in more diversified learning opportunities. Students make decisions about their education by choosing their own paths inside and outside of the school. The entire learning experience helps cultivate not only the necessary academic skills, but also the skills that tests cannot measure. City-as-School students are some of the most resilient, creative and independent youth that I have worked with.