Nate Malkemus, Instructional Coach
"New Legacy Charter High School opened its doors in 2015 to teenage parents and their children. For the last seven years we have attempted, one young family at a time, to end the cycle of generational poverty and create a 'new legacy' of academic and personal empowerment for student, child, and community. First and foremost, this work is meaningful to me because of its two-fold aim–our charge is not only to educate and uplift students within the walls of our classrooms but also to lay the foundation and set a precedent for younger children to follow in their footsteps. I also find total joy and inspiration from the students themselves, who continue to laugh, dream, and grind in the face of such trauma and adversity; their optimism and resilience are infectious and humble me personally. In this age of increased social isolation and despondency–and, in so many ways, declining physical/mental wellness–my hope for our population is that they become better students, yes, but more importantly that they become healthier, happier, more compassionate and socially-conscious human beings. It’s a lofty goal and often feels like an uphill battle, but it gives me purpose and makes my job meaningful beyond words."