Rocketship Empowers Every Child, Including My Own

Gabriela Gordon, Principal at Rocketship Los Sueños Academy

As a mother and educator, I have a very clear and unwavering vision and expectation for what education must be for EVERY child, regardless of how they learn – especially for my own children. Education must be a vehicle to liberatory opportunities, for the student and their community. It is the duty and responsibility of educators to create equitable, inclusive, and safe learning environments that allow for ALL students to excel and develop as citizens.

As I entered my 18th year as an educator last week, I felt anxiety and concern for my youngest son, who is autistic and starting Kindergarten. Ismael, like many neurodivergent students, cannot communicate fully yet and struggles greatly with change.

Our experiences with Ismael’s previous schools were far below our expectations and incredibly challenging. However, in just his first week of Kinder, Ismael has made so much progress thanks to educators that are skilled, passionate, vision driven, and student centered advocates. I work for an organization that has established an incredible model for integrated and inclusive special education – the most exemplar I’ve seen from any school network. Being a Rocketship Public Schools Principal and a parent is an amazing experience because I am able to fully and authentically testify that our schools are exceptional and our family’s top choice for our child with special needs. Students at our schools, regardless of how they learn, are celebrated, honored, and held to high expectations while being provided the high support needed to succeed.

My heart is full knowing that my child’s learning and development is being led by tenacious and loving professionals that always ground their every decision in students and their needs. Here’s to year 18 for Mommy and year 1 for Ismael.

Published on August 23, 2024