September 2023

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Dear students and families of MS 419,

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Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. I hope that you all had a great summer. It is my pleasure to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal, Interim Acting of MS 419 at the Tommie L. Agee Educational Campus. My name is Gesai Courtenay- Aponte, and I started my work with NYC youth about 18 years ago working with non profit organizations in Brooklyn, NY. It was through hot days in summer camps, tiresome after school programs and parent filled creative art recitals, that I found my passion for working with children. Through my success in these programs, I was referred and accepted into the NYC Teaching Fellows program and began my Education Career in Bushwick, Brooklyn. For the past 10 years, I have served there as a teacher, teacher leader, instructional coach and assistant principal.

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Separate from the professional world, I am a chocolate lover, M&M fan (yellow bag only), bike riding fanatic, and most of all a family girl. I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, but my mother’s Panamanian side and my dad’s Belizean side brought a lot of diversity to our family traditions.  My work is a high priority, but it could never replace the quality of love and time spent with the friends and family that keep me filled and inspired to give the work the best that I have. 

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This school year, I begin my journey at MS 419. During my first few visits to the school, I have been able to meet with teachers, staff, and see families; it is clear to me, the partnership between all members of the school community are working together to provide an exceptional educational experience for all students. As a mother, I envision the school that I would love for my daughter and MS419 feels like that place. It is my honor to join such a team. I look forward to working together with all faculty to  provide an outstanding learning experience for each student. 

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I am eager to meet with and get to know all of you! Getting to know your histories, identities and all that makes up your tiger stripes as a whole makes me excited. I hope that you are also looking forward to this coming school year. It is going to be a fun year of learning together. I look forward to celebrating our collective successes during the 2023-2024 school year.

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Let’s go tigers!

Sincerely,
Gesai Courtenay-Aponte

Assistant Principal, I.A.