I came here to change education in Rhode Island and in the United States. The Met school/Big Picture School has become the model for 150 such schools worldwide, including in Australia, Belize, India and the Netherlands, among others, but it wasn't given to us.
The Met school was a battle from the beginning. But the hard work was worth it.
President Barack Obama said, "We will learn from the example of places like the Met center in Rhode Island that gives students that individual attention while also focusing on real-world, hands-on training that gives them the possibility of succeeding in a career."
More recently, College Unbound was approved as the 13th college in Rhode Island. It is an affordable college for adults who want to finish their bachelor's degree. College Unbound also has launched a Prison Bridge Program directed by James Monteiro. We are helping 100 students inside the prison work toward their bachelor's degrees and help them transition into College Unbound upon release.
How have I gotten here?
n Fight for what you think is right.
n Don't give up.
n Anything is possible in Rhode Island.
n Think differently.
n Innovate. Innovate. Innovate.
n Keep showing up.
It has been a great 21 years, with still more to come. •