Events

Learning Leaders Theater Benefit: The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess
 

Learning Leaders has kicked off 2012 in a terrific way. Thanks to all of the supporters of our theater benefit, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” on January 11th at the Richard Rodgers Theatre; over $125,000 was raised for Learning Leaders programs. The evening was punctuated with good food, great friends and a terrific show. From the pre-theater reception at Pergola Des Artistes, two doors down from the theater, where French comforts like beef bourguignon and coq au vain were served; to guests being treated to a brief history of this significant show and its journey to Broadway by director, Diane Paulus and producer, Jeffrey Richards; to guests filling their seats at the theater in anticipation of familiar songs and terrific acting. All in all, it was a delightful evening!

Learning Leaders would like to thank all of our event supporters, including Event Co-Chairs, Phyllis Chernin and Caryn Magid, as well as Ms. Paulus and Mr. Richards for adding a little touch of magic to an already magical evening.

Learning Leaders Opening Meeting Re-cap

Over 800 Learning Leaders volunteers and friends filled the auditorium at Columbia University on September 28 to celebrate the annual volunteer kick-off, The Opening Meeting. CBS 2 News anchor and Learning Leaders board member Dana Tyler was the special guest emcee. The event was quickly off to a spirited start thanks to the PS 57 drum and flag corps who woke everyone up with their rhythmic sounds and moves.

Learning Leaders President Mindy Duitz welcomed all guests as staff members Gracie Xavier, Liu Yang, Marceline Torres and Luis Lopez greeted everyone in French, Mandarin and Spanish. Following an introduction by Learning Leaders board Chairperson Ellen Needham, NYS Commissioner of Education Dr. John B. King, Jr. delivered the keynote address, sharing his story of academic success and triumph through adversity. He also encouraged and thanked volunteers for their service to NYC students. Other special guests also thanked volunteers for their commitment, including UFT President Michael Mulgrew, NYC Chief Service Officer Diahann Billings-Burford, and Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement for the NYC Department of Education, Jesse Mojica. Mr. Mojica also presented Learning Leaders’ first-ever Volunteer of the Year award to Joan Leung from PS 261, Brooklyn.

After the traditional volunteer countdown, Greg Tang (Scholastic and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt author) presented a very entertaining and enlightening “Making Math Meaningful” workshop, which helped all who were present to think of math in a whole new way. Everyone even left with his or her very own copy of a Greg Tang math book! All in all, it was a great morning!

Check out the photos!

Year-End Celebration on Governors Island

On June 10th, over 400 Learning Leaders volunteers from all five boroughs waited in line for the Governors Island ferry, anxious to make the short sail across the harbor for a day of fun....See the pictures!

Spring Luncheon Huge Success!

2011 Education Reform Panel:
The Real Superheroes of NYC Public Schools

Thank you to NYU, John Sexton, Pedro Noguera, Jonathan Alter, Christina Fuentes and the Hon. Merryl Tisch for their participation at the Education Luncheon yesterday. Also thank you to all of our supporters for making this event so successful! See the photos here!