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Al Bunshaft's involvement with Eugene T. Maleska Middle School in Bronx, N.Y., has helped increase student reading scores by 15 percent. |
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In his IBM job, Al Bunshaft understands the value of innovation - and he's brought that same outlook to his volunteer work with a New York City school, with impressive results.
"Looking
to the future and creating innovative solutions
for our changing world is critical for any successful
business strategy," says Bunshaft, who points
IBM customers to World
Community Grid as a reference on the power
of innovation and grid technology. "To ensure
that we remain competitive, it is essential that
we put a strong emphasis on education at an early
age."
Preparing the next generation
For several years, Bunshaft has worked closely
with the Eugene T. Maleska Middle School in Bronx,
N.Y., participating in TryScience
and MentorPlace
programs.
"Those tools
were very important in reaching out to students
and the faculty when I first was getting started,"
said Bunshaft, who joined IBM over 20 years ago
as a programmer and today is vice president, Infrastructure
Solution Sales. "It not only allowed me to get involved
with the students, it helped keep the focus on science
and math." |
Then, in late 2003, he had an opportunity to take his
volunteer work to another level entirely.
A model academic environment
The Maleska school - which serves a diverse student
body culled from several local housing projects - was
divided into four smaller schools, including the Spectrum
Technology Academy. Lacking experience with this type
of educational setting, administrators created a board
to launch the school. Due to his record of success in
helping to improve academic standards at local schools,
Bunshaft was asked to serve as chairman.
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Bunshaft (center) attributes much of the students' sucess to the hard work of teachers and administrators including Principal Anthony Onzo (right) and guidance counselor Matthew Ruggero. |
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He immediately
delved into making Spectrum a model academic environment,
establishing two technology labs and working with
teachers to integrate technology into traditional
courses such as math, social science and English.
"The work we did during the period of time before
the academy opened was some of the most significant,"
says Bunshaft. "I believe that the success of the academy
can be directly attributed to the solid foundation created
during this time period."
Bunshaft's enthusiasm and hard work quickly paid off. Standardized testing has revealed a marked improvement in student achievement since Spectrum's launch. Across the student body, reading scores have increased approximately 15 percent. The success has led to local and national recognition for the students. Two teams of students placed in the top five in a New York City scholastic contest and seven of ten students enrolled in the Carnegie Math program achieved the program's highest possible score.
A milestone, not a finish line
"While the level of success these students have achieved so quickly is impressive, I see it as a milestone, not a finish line," he says. "The Spectrum Technology Academy was and continues to be a team effort rooted in the commitment of the administration, parents, and the community to improve education for the benefit of the children."
The success of Bunshaft's approach for integrating academics and technology has led to the plan being adopted by at least three other local schools. In October 2004, the school established the Bunshaft Technology Center in honor of his contributions.
"I am positive that with a continued investment of time, along with resources such as the tools available through On Demand Community, these students will continue to rise to the challenge, helping to shape a brighter future for all of us," he says.
And with multiple activities underway - such as participating in 2006 EWeek and a planned visit for top academy students to the Poughkeepsie IBM site - it seems that the sky is the limit for the students at the Spectrum Technology Academy.
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