Teaching social studies is only part of Matthew Lambert’s mission in transforming students’ lives at Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School.
Bolstered by the Moral Focus™ virtues that National Heritage Academies (NHA®) schools use to make them positive members of the community, Lambert also strives to prepare his students for life beyond school.
“While the subject matter they are learning is important, it's more important to me that they develop a strong sense of responsibility, an ability to show self-control, and an understanding of how to work with others in a productive way,” he said.
Lambert, who has taught eight years at Brooklyn Excelsior, was named an Excellence in Teaching winner this year as part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA) Excellence Awards, and honor that caught him by surprise.
He came to Brooklyn Excelsior simply in search of a place to teach. He has since found a support learning community that works together with a common goal – to give students a choice in education and set them up for success. It’s working, as Brooklyn Excelsior has outperformed the district for 17 years.
“I love the people,” he said. “My colleagues are very supportive even during tough times. The kids are great, too. They make every day an adventure.”
Teaching students history, civics, and economics requires students to see things through more of an analytical or principled lens, which Lambert promotes each year.
“I’m really proud of my seventh-grade scholars and the work they have done,” he said. “They come ready to work every day, are great critical thinkers, and have a really positive attitude.
“It’s really rewarding when you have students who are confused by the political cartoons able to say at the end of the lesson, ‘Oh, I get it now!’”
Keep up the excellent work, Mr. Lambert!
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About Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School
Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Brooklyn, New York, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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