Michaelah Valentine
Where did you grow up and what was your first language?
I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. My first language is English.
What from your hometown do you wish you could find in New York City?
When I was younger, I loved attending the annual carnival, festival, or circus that came in town. I eagerly waited for the day I could play games to win the biggest stuffed animals, wear some funky circus light up gear, and eat zeppoles and funnel cake with my friends and family. I still look forward to all of those things even now because they bring me back to when I was a child growing up and remind me of home.
Where did you go to college?
I attended Rutgers University where I earned my B.A. in Social Work and Africana Studies. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Education at Relay Graduate School of Education.
What was your favorite book in middle school?
My favorite book in middle school was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney.
What is the best part of teaching at Hamilton Grange?
The best part of teaching at HG is having the wonderful opportunity of getting to know my students and building relationships with them during Advisory and Club. I enjoy these moments because they allow both the students and teachers to understand that we are both not only teachable, but, we are both people. When I was in middle school often times the only thing I knew about my teachers is that they were teachers and maybe if they had a pet. It was like solving a mystery to know that they had a life outside of teaching. Club and Advisory not only add a unique way for students to learn more about one another, but for staff and students to build sustainable relationships while learning.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not teaching?
I love exploring different places like museums and restaurants with my family and close friends. I also enjoy doing hair.
What is your favorite quote?
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2 NKJV
Michaelah Valentine
Where did you grow up and what was your first language?
I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. My first language is English.
What from your hometown do you wish you could find in New York City?
When I was younger, I loved attending the annual carnival, festival, or circus that came in town. I eagerly waited for the day I could play games to win the biggest stuffed animals, wear some funky circus light up gear, and eat zeppoles and funnel cake with my friends and family. I still look forward to all of those things even now because they bring me back to when I was a child growing up and remind me of home.
Where did you go to college?
I attended Rutgers University where I earned my B.A. in Social Work and Africana Studies. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Education at Relay Graduate School of Education.
What was your favorite book in middle school?
My favorite book in middle school was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney.
What is the best part of teaching at Hamilton Grange?
The best part of teaching at HG is having the wonderful opportunity of getting to know my students and building relationships with them during Advisory and Club. I enjoy these moments because they allow both the students and teachers to understand that we are both not only teachable, but, we are both people. When I was in middle school often times the only thing I knew about my teachers is that they were teachers and maybe if they had a pet. It was like solving a mystery to know that they had a life outside of teaching. Club and Advisory not only add a unique way for students to learn more about one another, but for staff and students to build sustainable relationships while learning.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not teaching?
I love exploring different places like museums and restaurants with my family and close friends. I also enjoy doing hair.
What is your favorite quote?
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2 NKJV
ABOUT HAMILTON GRANGE
The Hamilton Grange School is a public middle school founded on the principle that hard work breeds talent, intelligence and success. Through a curriculum devoted to challenging readings, thoughtful debate, argumentative writing, problem solving, and character education, we prepare our students to consistently strive to reach further and embrace rigor and hard work to better themselves and their communities.
We believe that kids learn best when they are "doing:" experimenting, applying their knowledge and skills to attack a new challenge, and creating new understandings. It is this belief, and the recognition that college and career readiness is achieved through the ability to read, write and speak effectively, that makes authentic literacy the essential element of every one of our lessons.
And because middle school is the most formative time of our children's lives, the Hamilton Grange community supports our students, families and staff members in recognizing that mistakes are inevitable, and essential to our learning and progress. This understanding extends not only to academics, but to behavior as well. For this reason, students are encouraged to retake exams and rewrite essays to better illustrate their mastery of both content and skills. We also employ a peer mediation and restorative justice program to support our students in learning from the social emotional challenges they encounter, rather than merely punishing them.
Should you have any questions about our school, or would like to visit us, please do not hesitate to speak with us using the information on the "Contact Us" tab at the top of the page.
In Unity,
Benjamin Lev
Benjamin Lev
Founding Principal
OUR CORE VALUES
Hard Work Breeds Talent
No one is born talented; we create talent through deep practice and perserverance through challenges.
We Learn From Our Mistakes, We Don't Lean On Our Success
Apply what your mistakes have taught you to be more successful on your next approach until you meet your goal.
Take Charge Of Your Own Learning
We learn best when creating our own understandings.
The End Of One Goal Is The Beginning Of Another
Attaining one goal means embarking on a journey towards your next goal.
A Life Isn't Significant Except For Its Impact On Other Lives
Do something everyday for someone who will never be able to repay you.
HAMILTON HABITS
Self-Control, Tenacity, Compassion, Unity, Justice, Service, Patience, Humility
These habits are important to us because we know academic behaviors like self-control and tenacity are much better indicators of success in school and in career than a score on a high stakes exam. The practice of Compassion, Unity, Justice and Service helps us all be better citizens of our community and makes it easier for all of us to perform at our highest potential.
Each week, our students receive a progress report that illustrates their use of self-control and their practice of tenacity and compassion. This information is accessed by students and parents through their Class Dojo accounts and helps us identify students for extracurricular trips.