ENTREPRENEUR SPsxOTLIGHT: BRIAN GLOOR
Brian Gloor is the Assistant Principal at Bard High School Early College DC
What CityBridge program did you participate in?
Design Fellowship, Spring 2021
What was the most impactful or meaningful part of participating in CityBridge programming?
The most impactful part of the CityBridge Design Fellowship experience was being able to meet as a group of innovators and tackle and support the challenges together. It was great to know we were not alone in the work we were doing at Bard DC and that we had so much support from all over the city with what we were wanting to accomplish.
How has your experience with CityBridge influenced or helped you in your life and career?
CityBridge has really shaped how I engage with our various stakeholders. In all of my interactions, not only am I looking at the entire group of stakeholders, but also thinking about how those at the margins are impacted by what is happening or not happening. It also influenced the way I support and provide voice to those I work with. I am constantly aware of others’ voices and providing space for them to bring it back to the community.
What are you up to now?
We are currently still in our full pilot stage and continually revamping what we are doing and how we are doing it. [The team has scaled up implementation of inclusive classroom routines across the school to deepen relationships between faculty and students and cultivate belonging. Read a summary of their work here.] We never expected school to look and feel so different when we returned in person, but we have been able to use what we have learned in the process to continue to implement and modify in each classroom as needed. Things are going really well, and I am excited to continue to see this develop, especially when things return to a more normal feel in the school.
What piece of professional advice would you give CityBridge alumni and education entrepreneurs?
I would suggest going in with an open mind and be prepared to be challenged. This opportunity not only impacted me professionally, but also has changed so many of my personal interactions. I look at things differently, engage differently, problem solve differently, and execute differently. I am forever grateful to the CityBridge Design Fellowship program and opportunity for truly transforming who I am as a person, an educator, an administrator, and an innovator.Fill in the blanks: “Before I participated in CityBridge programming, I used to think ____. After participating in CityBridge programming, I now think _____.”
Before I participated in CityBridge programming, I used to think I needed to have everything planned out before implementing something. After participating in CityBridge programming, I now think that incremental expansion and constant evaluation and revamping is what makes a program a success.