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
WHY WE'RE CALLED HAMILTON GRANGE
Hamilton Grange is the name of the only house that Alexander Hamilton ever owned, and it sits only a few blocks from our school, near where it originally stood, on 141st and Convent Avenue.
Our neighborhood in West Harlem (Hamilton Heights) and many places in it, including our local post office, our local library, a nearby park, restaurant and a street are all named after Hamilton. So who was this guy?
Alexander Hamilton was one of our nation's Founding Fathers, helping to lead the Revolution against the British and create the the United States of America, our Constitution, our two-party governmental system, and lay the foundations for our country's financial system as the first secretary of the Treasury.
What we especially respect about Hamilton is that, like many of us, he was an immigrant, born in the Caribbean to a poor, single mother. Some wealthy men on the island where he grew up saw that he was a hard worker, so they sent him to New York to attend Columbia University (just two subway stops from school!). And maybe best of all, unlike more famous Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Hamilton refused to own slaves!
Hamilton Grange, the name that Hamilton gave to the property that he owned in northern Manhattan, can still be visited today. It is on 141st Street between St. Nicholas and Convent. All of our students tour the home at the beginning of their 6th grade year.
We like to believe Hamilton would have been the number one pick in the NBA draft of 1776.
OUR MASCOT: THE PATRIOT
Our students compete against other middle schools throughout the City in soccer, cheerleading, basketball, softball, baseball and debate.
Our mascot is Alexander Hamilton (of course!) and our nickname is "The Patriots."
Patriots, like Hamilton, were those people that fought against the British during the Revolutionary War to gain their freedom and create the United States of America.
