'Champions of Change' in New York State

A dozen male and female students and five adults post with a 'Champions of Change' banner in the school garden

The City School District of Albany Board of Education – along with three Albany High School teachers who are the driving forces behind Falcons Farms and the Outdoors Club – were recognized Thursday as Champions of Change by the New York State School Boards Association.

Champions of Change recognizes innovative programs in school districts across the state and pays tribute to the people who create them. Albany High teachers Larry Bizzarro, Kristin Bonds and Brent Cady are advisers to Falcon Farms; Bonds also is adviser to the Outdoors Club.

Falcon Farms is a series of garden beds on the east side of Albany High providing space for hands-on learning where students use their biology and ecology knowledge to garden and grow food. The purpose of the Outdoors Club is to get students outside enjoying nature, with a particular focus on the school gardens.

The three teachers, Albany High Principal Jodi Commerford and Board of Education President Anne Savage accepted a Champion of Change banner from NYSSBA Director of Member Relations Barry Entwistle in the garden as students from Bizzarro’s, Bonds’ and Cady’s classes looked on.

Thank you for the recognition, NYSSBA!