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Principle Nadia Lopez
A
quality education is the foundation upon which one can construct a strong,
possibility-laden future. Nadia L. Lopez
and her cutting edge holistic, well rounded approach to education definitely
provide a sturdy foundation for the students who attend her progressive Mott
Hall Bridges Academy, a middle school located in the Brownsville section of
Brooklyn, NY.
Born
and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Lopez had a childhood supported by immigrant parents
who made education a top priority, so that Nadia would have the optimal
opportunity to succeed in life. She
enjoyed school, and spent most of her time there after her parents separated,
even outside of formal class time.
Lopez, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Wagner
College and a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Long Island
University, as well as an Advanced Certification in Leadership from Baruch
College, had originally planned on a nursing career. However, after her training, she discovered
that nursing wasn't really her passion.
So, after approximately four years toiling at Verizon as an account
collections representative, where she learned the art of customer service, she
turned her attention to education, spurred on by having had her own child. Her career change was determined by the fact
that she saw several disturbing problems within the New York educational system
that her child would be entering. So,
the concerned Lopez, rather than just worry, set her course for creating a new
educational model.
Lopez
initially worked at a middle school in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn,
teaching the seventh and eighth grades.
She subsequently taught at the Urban Assembly Institute of Math and
Science, an all-girls school in downtown Brooklyn. Then in 2008, she was selected to join the
New Leaders for New School, a nationally acclaimed leadership organization, as
a Resident Principal within the New York City Department of Education. After completing that rigorous year-long
program, she became an Assistant Principal.
In
2010, Lopez's dream became a reality, when she founded the Mott Hall Bridges
Academy, a Brooklyn middle school (grades 6 to 8), which focuses on Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).
“Mott Hall” is a series of schools; “Bridges Academy” pays homage to
Brooklyn, which links to the other New York boroughs via bridges. And, Lopez is assisting her students with
building their bridges to a brighter future.
A
visionary inspired by what the world has to offer, Lopez strives to enhance and
enrich the educational experience for the students in her school. She sees the students as individuals, for
whom social and emotional health and support are vital to their ability to
learn. She also encourages their parents
to become integral partners in their educational journey. Innovative and willing to listen, Lopez
encourages critical thinking in every facet of their lives with her students,
so that they will analyze their possibilities as they learn.
Lopez's
open door, family-oriented approach to education is designed to create a
supportive culture for the students. She
is setting a new standard, so that her students can begin to think and make
wise choices early in life. They learn
how to network and build relationships under the guidance of Lopez and her
hand-picked staff. They become focused
individuals who are prepared for life's challenges.
One
of Lopez's primary goals is to build literacy, which is an area of struggle for
most inner city students. She'd like to
make her school a shining example, rivaling the top schools in the nation. The Mott Haven Bridges Academy teachers are
selected by a committee of current teachers and staff, who already understand
what it takes to be on their team. The
candidates also teach a demo class of students, to give the students an
opportunity to weigh in on the strengths and weaknesses of the teacher, from
their vantage point.
When
it's time to graduate to high school, Lopez's students are aided in making an
informed decision about their next learning institution. They research together, with parents
included, ask critical questions and receive answers and the visit the high
schools, to see and hear first-hand what that particular experience is like.
Lopez's
students are armed with substantial skills when they graduate, as her school
offers courses in Culinary Arts, Video Production, Sea and Mechanical Robotics
and will soon offer Computer Coding, so that students will be able to create
their own applications and programs, and be steps ahead of the game.
Lopez,
the self-proclaimed “Queen of Networking,” has partnered with various elected
officials, corporations, non-profits and individuals in sports and
entertainment (such as Black Girls Rock!, TEAM FIRST, Hip Hop Summit Youth
Council and the NY Knicks), to empower, expose and motivate her scholars.
Propelled
by her desire for positive educational changes, the wind beneath the wings of
Nadia L. Lopez is her dream of transforming the lives of children and impacting
generations to come, within her Brooklyn community.
