Good Neighbor Podcast: North Shore
Bringing together local businesses and neighbors of North Shore
Good Neighbor Podcast: North Shore
EP #51 - Redefining Community and Learning at Bridge Boston Charter School
Ever wondered what it takes to transition from the corporate world to a thriving career in education? Meet Cherose Walker, the inspiring principal of Bridge Boston Charter School, who did just that. Her incredible 21-year journey in education is filled with roles as diverse as substitute teaching, special education, and trauma specialization, each one a stepping stone to her current leadership position. Cherose challenges the stereotypes about schools in minority communities, especially in Roxbury, and paints a vibrant picture of the nurturing and supportive environment she has cultivated at Bridge Boston Charter School. Her story is a powerful reminder that passion and perseverance can redefine narratives and create impactful change.
Outside the world of academia, Cherose is an adventurer at heart. Whether she's trekking through the mountains, diving into new cultures, or finding peace through yoga and meditation, she pursues her interests with the same dedication she brings to her work. Recently back from a rejuvenating trip to Jamaica, Cherose shares not only the joys of her travels but also personal insights into maintaining balance amidst a demanding career. This engaging episode offers a refreshing perspective on education, community, and the importance of personal growth, making it a must-listen for educators, leaders, and lifelong learners alike.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Yvonne Godfrey.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Cherose Walker. She is the principal of the Bridge Boston Charter School in Roxbury. Cherose, how are you today? I'm doing well. Yuan, how are you? Wonderful, I'm good. Thank you. We're so happy to have you on the show and so, at this time, we're going to ask you to please tell our listeners a little bit about your company. So Bridge.
Speaker 3:Boston Charter School is a school that has been in existence since 2011. We serve all the communities in Boston and surrounding areas, and we have approximately 335 students and a staff of close to 100. And we are a K through 8 school.
Speaker 2:Wonderful K-8. And how did you get into this business?
Speaker 3:So my career? This is my 21st year in education. I started out as a substitute teacher in 1994 and have worked my way up, and so I was a career changer. I actually was in business before I transitioned into education, but this is my 21st year. I have held positions as classroom teacher, special education teacher, student support coordinator, lots of leadership positions as well, and then even a trauma specialist for the district at one point, and I also began to get into administration as assistant principal for several years, and then this is to get into administration as assistant principal for several years, and then this is my second year serving as a principal.
Speaker 2:Wow, what a journey.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Very nice, very nice. So how did you get into this business, jules?
Speaker 3:So I ironically just happened to be at a career fair for Boston Public Schools and there was an opening. I was definitely not interested in staying in the business field any longer, and happened to meet an administrator at a school that I had attended when I was young, so I am also a product of the Boston Public Schools. I attended the Boston Public Schools kindergarten through eighth grade, and I graduated from Boston Latin School as well, and so I'd met an administrator from the Uzziah Quincy Elementary School, which is in Chinatown, and that's where I ironically began my teacher, my teaching career, and that's the school that I attended when I was in the fourth and fifth grade.
Speaker 3:Wow, Beautiful, beautiful Charles can you share some myths or misconception that you've encountered or discovered in your industry? I will say even predominantly or in particular with the school that I serve, which is in the minority community that we are serving students. We have students who come from low-income community and it is an assumption that we have a lot of behavior problems here at Ridge because we are in a community where there are lots. Our students are black and brown, mostly black and brown. I see 99% of our students are black and brown.
Speaker 3:But this school is just such a beautiful community we really don't have any behavior issues, and so that's one misconception that I have experienced, especially when I say that I am a principal at a school in Roxbury. So misconception slash, stereotype is like if you're in a school in Roxbury, in the heart of Roxbury, you must be dealing with some students, especially. You know our families have some challenges. So beyond that, there must be some mental health stuff and I mean there's always that, but not to any extreme and there must be some behavioral challenges which we do not have.
Speaker 2:That's beautiful to hear. Yeah, we are showing and we are firming to the listeners. Yes, so outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Speaker 3:I like to travel, so I'm an avid traveler. Last year alone, I probably left out the country probably a bit about six times. I also am a certified yoga and meditation. I'm certified in yoga and meditation, so I do enjoy doing those things. I love the outdoors, so I love hiking. I love anything that has to do with water, so swimming especially. But yeah, I've been spending time with my loved ones as well.
Speaker 2:What is your most recent travel experience?
Speaker 3:I was in jamaica for new years, so yeah, awesome awesome.
Speaker 2:I'm sure the food was delicious as well. Yes, always so. Trolls, let's change gear. Can you describe one hardship or one of life's challenge that you rose above and can now say because of it, you're better and stronger? What comes to your mind?
Speaker 3:Yeah, probably a surprising one, when I share with a lot of people is that you know, I grew up in Roxbury and also the South End, and I grew up in a time in the early 90s where, you know, violence is really prevalent in Boston and there was a strong gang presence, and so I unfortunately had a brother who was shot and paralyzed at that, and I also had a very close friend, slash mentor, who was murdered in 1992 with a drive-by park shooting.
Speaker 3:And so it really this was in the South End. It really shook up our community and there were a lot of people who were enraged. But I chose to, instead of being enraged, do something positive about it, and that's when I threw myself into youth work, and so I became a youth worker at the Blackstone Community Center and I oversaw a team of peer leaders at that point and really started to engage the community into coming together and heal. So, taking that you know, the tragic situation that happened to our community and finding a way for our community to come together to begin the healing process, and because of the work that I did there, I eventually went to Teen Empowerment, which was also in the South End and in 1994, was honored with the award of at the time as the mayor's most outstanding youth. So very proud of that in my teenage years between the ages 15 and 17,. Really doing some transformative work in my community at that time.
Speaker 2:Wow, sorry to hear about those tragedy loss of life and being paralyzed as a result. There's no words. Cheroz, please tell our listeners one thing they should remember about Bridge, boston Charter School.
Speaker 3:That we are a joyful community and we just don't say it. When you walk through the doors, you experience the joy I you know. We have a beautiful atrium with a huge sunlight at the top that like overlooks the whole school. We have a community garden. We also have a beehive where we make our own honey, and we have our youngest children in kindergarten go out and learn how to do gardening, et cetera. And we just recently opened two new playgrounds, one for the younger kids, one for the older kids, and we're just a pretty joyful community.
Speaker 2:Beautiful, beautiful. So how can our listeners learn more about the Bridge, boston Charter School?
Speaker 3:Yes, absolutely, you can go to bridgebostoncsorg.
Speaker 2:Beautiful Charles. We really appreciate you being on the show with us today. We wish you and Bridge Boston Charter School all the best moving forward.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much. Thank you for having me, Yvonne. Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to GNPNorthshorecom. That's GNPNorthshorecom, or call 857-703-9406.