Prospect Schools are setting a high standard for inclusion among their diverse student body and generously sharing their expertise with educators from around the globe. On September 25th, a delegation of educators from South Korea’s Chungcheongbuk-do Special Education Institute, an organization affiliated with the South Korean Ministry of Education that provides tailored educational support for students with diverse learning needs, spent the morning at Brooklyn Prospect’s Downtown Elementary School (DTES). Lead educators from the institute, which is known as the “cradle of special education in Korea,” expressed their desire to gain valuable insights into DTES’ “exemplary special education programs” to enhance their professional development for special education teachers in South Korea.
Principal Folake Akinola-Pinard and Andrene Robinson, Director of Student Support Services, guided the group of 20 educators as they observed a 2nd-grade Spanish class, a kindergarten class, and a 5th-grade Core Math class. The visitors were particularly impressed by the Downtown Elementary educators’ methods to ensure active participation from every student in the class.
“DTES teachers are empowered to adapt and enhance instruction because we firmly believe that education is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” Principal Akinola-Pinard said. “Our teaching models allow for more individualized instruction. We teach students to critically analyze the world around them and use their voices to advocate for themselves and others. We understand that advocacy is crucial in establishing and maintaining an equitable environment.”
The South Korean delegation also enjoyed a special Q&A session with the Downtown Elementary team, including two teachers fluent in their native language—Angela Park (kindergarten) and Julia Cho (Spanish), facilitating clear communication and understanding. Following this enriching visit, the group departed to further their learning journey at the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Special Education.
Prospect Schools are setting a high standard for inclusion among their diverse student body and generously sharing their expertise with educators from around the globe. On September 25th, a delegation of educators from South Korea’s Chungcheongbuk-do Special Education Institute, an organization affiliated with the South Korean Ministry of Education that provides tailored educational support for students with diverse learning needs, spent the morning at Brooklyn Prospect’s Downtown Elementary School (DTES). Lead educators from the institute, which is known as the “cradle of special education in Korea,” expressed their desire to gain valuable insights into DTES’ “exemplary special education programs” to enhance their professional development for special education teachers in South Korea.
Principal Folake Akinola-Pinard and Andrene Robinson, Director of Student Support Services, guided the group of 20 educators as they observed a 2nd-grade Spanish class, a kindergarten class, and a 5th-grade Core Math class. The visitors were particularly impressed by the Downtown Elementary educators’ methods to ensure active participation from every student in the class.
“DTES teachers are empowered to adapt and enhance instruction because we firmly believe that education is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” Principal Akinola-Pinard said. “Our teaching models allow for more individualized instruction. We teach students to critically analyze the world around them and use their voices to advocate for themselves and others. We understand that advocacy is crucial in establishing and maintaining an equitable environment.”
The South Korean delegation also enjoyed a special Q&A session with the Downtown Elementary team, including two teachers fluent in their native language—Angela Park (kindergarten) and Julia Cho (Spanish), facilitating clear communication and understanding. Following this enriching visit, the group departed to further their learning journey at the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Special Education.
