After a mediocre stint as a student at Weequahic, I received a BA degree from Paterson State College in 1968. Even though Newark and the Weequahic section, in particular, was quickly changing, I wanted to teach in Newark. To prepare me for this unique experience, I did my student teaching at Weequahic in 1967 and 1968. During this time I was introduced to A.S. Neill's Summerhill and instantly became a convert to a philosophy of education that I enthusiastically endorsed and hoped to be able to implement. Following graduation, I became a Social Studies teacher at West Kinney Jr. High School in Newark. My first professional job at $6,800 per year made me feel like I had found the proverbial "pot of gold." How wonderful to be young and naive.
After three exciting years and two demoralizing teachers strikes at West Kinney - where I was called down to the Principal's office more often than any student in the school to be admonished for my "unconventional teaching activities" - I moved on to become the Director of the school program at the Children's Shelter of Essex County in Belleville where I remained for four years while I received my MA degree in Urban and Community Education from Montclair State College.
Following a 6-month jaunt across country in my Volvo and pop-up camper with my dog Beaujangles (a fabulous way to see America), I returned to NJ to become the Executive Director of Independence High School - a private, non-profit, alternative secondary school in Newark for high-risk youth. This school, which opened in 1971 by community organizers and vista volunteers, was located in the Ironbound - one block away from East Side. For me, this was my "dream come true" job and for the next 10 years it consumed me in so many wonderful ways. Finally, I was in a position to implement all of the creative ideas that were bouncing around in my head for so many years. Some of its features were as follows: small classes; individualized instruction; team-teaching; open-classroom; work placements; special interest and creative skills classes; individual and group counseling; written evaluations and conferences; and alternative graduation requirements.
Since 1987 when I left the alternative high school to explore new possibilities in my life, I have had a wide-range of experiences. In the immediate years to follow I took my second 6-month trip across the country except this time in a van camper. I established my own small business, Consultants For Non-Profits, where I offered technical assistance to non-profit organizations in the areas of education, financial management, fund-raising, computer training, and desktop publishing. And I ran an adult money management program for the Accountants for the Public Interest-NJ.
For two years in the early 90's, I relocated to Pennsylvania where I was the founding administrator for a substance abuse treatment program. Then I went on the most fascinating journey of my life - a five month sojourn to Nepal, India and Thailand to be part of group that was teaching sustainable farming techniques. This trip was also highlighted by treking in the Himalayas, a one-week whitewater rafting excursion, living in an international community, and staying in the ashram of a famous spiritual leader. On my return, I went on a amazing bus trip from Vermont to Nicaragua to deliver the bus we were riding on to a performing arts group as a part of a sister-city exchange program.
Then in 1995 I became the Executive Director of the Newark Literacy Campaign, located at The Newark Public Library, a position I held for 5 years. What a joy it was to enter that majestic building five days a week. On the volunteer front, I served as an elected Model Cities representative in Newark, President of the Ironbound Theater Company, President of Cornucopia Network of NJ, an environmental organization, and was one of the organizers of student cafe project in Montclair.
And now I find myself in the most unlikely job of all as the Executive Director of the Weequahic High School Alumni Association - but it has been a thrilling two years. Maybe it's taking care of "unfinished business" for those earlier undistinguished years at the high school. Who knew?
Please e-mail me at philyour@aol.com
