Providence hires new school culture coordinators

December 21, 2017 11:16 am

By News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Mayor Elorza announced Thursday that the Providence School Board has approved the hiring of six new “school culture coordinators” as part of a new initiative to promote a positive atmosphere in Providence schools and increase student engagement.

Mayor Elorza says the newly appointed school culture coordinators will serve as role models and engage both students and community partners alike in all Providence middle schools.

The mayor welcomed the new coordinators, saying “Providing a supportive and learning is critical for student success, especially during a challenging time like the middle school years.”

Each school culture coordinator will be assigned to one of the seven public middle schools in Providence where they will work with school administration and community partners to advocate for additional in-school and out-of-school assistance help increase leadership opportunities for students and offer social and emotional support to students.

Coordinators will also be placed in charge of implementing restorative justice practices using mediation and community service to repair harm caused by crime or disputes.

School culture coordinators approved by the board include:

Nerise Beckford-Joly, who has been working as a restorative conference facilitator with Family Service of Rhode Island.
Jason Figueroa, a youth program leader most recently serving as an impact manager for City Year Providence.
Stephen Larbi, a teen program coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket and a member of the Pawtucket Youth Commission.
Erroll Lomba, a director of youth and justice programs with Rhode Island for Community and Justice.
Carina Monge, a career and technical education program coordinator for the school district.
Elsie Palmieri, an education advisor who has worked with American Student Assistance and RI College Crusade.

A seventh coordinator will be selected at the School Board’s meeting in January.