Hundreds of Students from Across the City to Gather at the Intrepid

WHAT: After participating in a six-week Teaching Matters program focused on the Constitution and civil rights, 7th and 8th grade students from eleven schools across the City will offer original arguments tied to current events, and be judged on their work.

The ½ day event starts at 9:00 a.m., and culminates with an early afternoon assembly. Two finalists will appear before several hundred fellow students and guests. Volunteers from Goldman, Sachs judge early rounds of the competition, and the entire gathering will hear from academic, activist, policy and government notables. During the day, students and guests also will tour the Intrepid Museum.

Teaching Matters, Inc., is a non-profit that works to improve teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. The Voices and Choices competition is an annual event. 

WHY: When an engaging curriculum is coupled with excellent teaching methods, the results can be exceptionally good. Teaching Matters – and its guests – have been thrilled by the inspiring work middle school students have presented at earlier Voices and Choices events. The connection with public affairs can reverberate for years.

WHO: Over 250 middle school students from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan; parents and teachers; Goldman, Sachs volunteer judges; Teaching Matters’ staff; and the following special speakers or panelists:

Dr. Salamishah Tillet, Professor and feminist activist (keynote address);

Scott Crowley, Deputy Director of the New York City Council;

Chief Brian Conroy of the New York City Police Department;

Jacob Massaquoi, a Liberian activist;

Cyrus McGoldrick, the Civil Rights Manager at the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY)

WHEN: June 4, 2013, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Intrepid, Pier 86 at 12th Avenue and 46th Street.