When Back to Normal Isn't Enough: Why We Need More, Not Less, School Support

In this unprecedented time, schools are being asked to do more than ever before. In addition to academic learning, schools are places of social-emotional development, college and career preparation, extracurricular exploration, and identity affirmation. In the time of COVID, all this must happen alongside a transition to blended/remote learning and an increased focus on the health and safety of the student population. For schools to triumph in the face of these challenges requires partnership and collaboration. Join us in a conversation as we explore the vital role of school support organizations, the ways in which they impact public education, and how they have been affected by the budget crisis.

Our panel will include:

Jumaane D. Williams, Public Advocate for the City of New York

Dennis De Guzman Caindec, Ed.D., Director of School Support, New York State, Internationals Network for Public Schools

Annie E. Minguez Garcia, Director of Government and Community Relations, Good Shepherd Services

Daryl Hornick-Becker, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Citizens' Committee for Children of New York

Alexis Goldberg, Managing Director, Urban Assembly

The event will be moderated by Raine Martin, Director of Advancement, Urban Assembly

More about our Panelists:

Jumaane D. Williams

Public Advocate for New York City

Jumaane D. Williams is the Public Advocate of the City of New York. Previously, he served on the NYC Council representing the 45th District. Jumaane is a first-generation Brooklynite of Grenadian heritage. He graduated from the public school system, overcoming the difficulties of Tourette's and ADHD to earn a Master's Degree from Brooklyn College. He began his career as a community organizer at the Greater Flatbush Beacon School and later served as the Executive Director of NYS Tenants & Neighbors. In the NYC Council, Jumaane championed landmark legislation that fundamentally transformed policing in NYC, like the Community Safety Act and creating the NYPD's Office of Inspector General to investigate unlawful & unethical behavior. Jumaane has led the fight for better policing and safer streets, affordable housing, and transparency and accountability in City government.

Dennis De Guzman Caindec, Ed.D.

Director of School Support NY, Internationals Network for Public Schools

In his role at the Internationals Network, Dennis De Guzman Caindec, Ed.D. manages a portfolio including 16 Internationals schools in New York City, and programs in Buffalo, NY and Minneapolis, MN. He collaboratively works with school leaders to strategically plan, implement, and monitor services that support and promote success for multilingual learners. He is a first generation immigrant who is committed to the work of serving recently arrived immigrant students and their families. Dr. Caindec received his bachelors of science in aerospace engineering from UCLA, his masters in education from Pace University, and his doctorate in educational leadership from UC Berkeley, where his research focused on the intersection of immigration and education, specifically around the work of teacher teams in supporting recently arrived immigrant students.

Annie E. Minguez Garcia

Director of Government and Community Relations, Good Shepherd Services

Annie E. Minguez Garcia heads government and community relations and partnerships at Good Shepherd Services, a leading city-wide youth and family development agency in New York City that partners with communities in the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn to support more than 30,000 children and families. Annie is a lead advocate of the Human Services Council, a steering committee member of the Campaign for Children, the Fostering Youth Success Alliance and the Coalition for Community Schools Excellence and, the coordinator of the Learning to Work Coalition. Annie serves on the New York City Comptroller’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth through Diversity and Inclusion, and on the boards of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Good Shepherd Volunteers, and the National Dominican Day Parade, Inc. Annie is a native New Yorker, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from George Mason University.

Daryl Hornick-Becker

Policy and Advocacy Associate, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York

Daryl Hornick-Becker manages the Citizens’ Committee for Children’s policy and advocacy work related to education, early care and youth services. His work focuses on expanding childrens’ access to high-quality early childhood education programs, equitable and responsive K-12 schools, and extra-curricular experiences outside of the classroom. Prior to joining CCC, Daryl served as an Analyst on the Education Task Force at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. Daryl received an MPA from Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs with a specialization in Policy Analysis and Evaluation, as well as a BA from Vassar College.

Alexis Goldberg

Managing Director of School Support, Urban Assembly

Alexis Goldberg coordinates and aligns supports across our programs and for all Urban Assembly schools and our partner schools. Alexis has been with the UA since 2010, starting as an Achievement Coach, then as Director of the Academics and Leadership team before moving into her current role. Before joining the UA, Alexis taught high school English as a member of the New York City Teaching Fellows. She received a B.S. from Northwestern University, an MsED in English Education from Queens College, and MsEd from Bank Street in Educational Leadership in the Arts. Alexis is also a graduate of Coro’s Leadership New York program.