On September 25, 2025, in partnership with Riverdale Avenue Middle School and the NYC Office of Community Schools, NYC CSTAC Director Joseph Vereen hosted Australian researcher Luke Steller, Ph.D., a Churchill Fellow, to explore how STEM education is integrated within a community school model. Dr. Steller observed an 8th-grade Biology Regents class featuring parallel teaching of the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) protocol with science teacher Mr. Edwards and ICT teacher Ms. Cunningham, followed by an in-depth discussion on collaborative leadership, social-emotional learning supports, and student leadership opportunities.

We thank Principal Dr. Arabelle Pembroke; Community School Director Scholanda Miller of Partnerships with Children; and Lisa Rochford, Director of Capacity Building at the Office of Community Schools, for showcasing the powerful work underway at their school and the possibilities of the community school approach!

See below for more pics from the day!