August 22, 2024

Growing up in the Highbridge neighborhood in the Bronx, Curtis Birthwright could see Yankee Stadium from his window. He could hear the roar of the games.

As a Little Leaguer with the Colonial Park Yankees, he dreamed of playing in the major leagues – as a Yankee, of course. But he also played basketball and tennis, just in case.

He overcame major challenges at an early age. His dad was murdered when he was 10. His mom struggled with addiction and the demands of being a single mom.

“Navigating through all that, it was very humbling,” Birthwright said.

But Birthwright was also surrounded opportunities. He went to school on Saturdays through the Fieldstone enrichment program. He delivered newspapers. He walked dogs. As a teen, he sold pretzels outside Yankee Stadium from a food cart.

“Idle time is what gets people,” said Birthwright.

At 14, he got a summer job providing recreation to Bronx kids. He led such classic kids’ games as kick the can, red-rover-red-rover, and ring-a-levio.

“I realized that I had a gift,” Birthwright said. “When you love what you do, young kids read it, and older kids trust you.”

Growing up, Birthwright was surrounded by kind and caring adults. One was his grandmother. She used to tell him stories about working as a teacher in a segregated one-room schoolhouse in South Carolina. Other influences were the four Black teachers he met at public school in the Bronx who made him consider education as a career.

“That was unheard of, and it impacted me greatly,” said Birthwright, now the Social Emotional Learning/Leader in Me Coordinator for Dr. David and Ruth Anderson School #16. “I saw people who looked like me.”

Birthwright went to SUNY Brockport where he was recruited into the Teacher’s Opportunity Corps. This group recruited Black and Latino students for education degrees. These students were guaranteed a job in the Rochester City School District when they completed their degree.

Birthwright’s resume with the Rochester City School District is long. He has taught in various roles at schools including 8, 10, 22, 42 and now at 16. He has also mentored teachers and interns in several educational models and movements. As “Coach B,” he’s coached varsity baseball and basketball coach, and he’s coached youth baseball, football and basketball.

Curtis is proud dad to two young adults: Karissa, 27, and Curtis Adam, 24. He will also be celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary in August with his wife Lisbeth.

He’s now a ROC Restorative Teacher on Special Assignment at the ROC Restorative H.U.B. (Healing, Understanding, Belonging). At School #16 he launched the practice of “Family Circles” where he checks in with all his students, parents and paraprofessionals during morning and closing meetings. He also promotes model daily theme days, restorative circles, peer mediation scholars, and opportunities to be Jr. Ambassadors and Circle Champions.

He said today’s teachers are grappling technology that connects kids – for better and worse. Problems that used to be left in the schoolyard follow kids wherever they go.

“Their ability to communicate outside of school is way more powerful than what you do inside of school,” Birthwright said. “You have to build a safe space, a safe haven.”

Birthwright is a builder. One of the key things he has created is the time and space in the building schedule at School 16 to ensure that kids get recess. His “10 for 10 recess wins” model is a game changer. He’s also put together a recess bag with games teachers can use to support play. Recess and play are key to educating kids, he said. They help kids resolve conflicts, manage behavior and emotions and learn how to compete.

“If you don’t employ play, you are going to struggle,” Birthwright said.

And what about his mother, who endured so much struggle? Later on in life, she went back to school to get her degree; she graduated cum laude from the College of New Rochelle.

“She was brave,” he said.

That’s one of the life lessons he teaches his students: Courage.