Congratulations to Mr. Gooden, who will move into an Assistant Principal role at 36K!
Here's a farewell letter from our Panther of the Week:
To My P373K Family,
As I prepare to begin my new journey as an Assistant Principal at P36K, I find myself reflecting on my eight incredible years here at BTC. It’s hard to believe that my time here has come to an end, but I am filled with gratitude for every moment, every lesson, and every person I’ve had the privilege to work with. I still remember my first day walking across the stage at orientation, so full of excitement and uncertainty. That year, 14 new teachers were hired—our largest group of newcomers. Some of those teachers are no longer with us, but many have become like family, and I am grateful to have walked this path alongside them.
I came to this school with a wealth of experience in 6:1:1, vocational training, and transition services, all of which I eagerly shared with the team. My time in the structured teaching cohort was nothing short of amazing, filled with closeness, collaboration, and a sense of unity that I will always cherish. I’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge my experience at Gotham. I was the first staff member in our organization to volunteer there, and despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, we made it an unforgettable experience. The resilience and teamwork we demonstrated will always be a part of who I am as a leader.
A heartfelt thank you to Jeannine—you’ve been more than just a supervisor; you’ve been a mentor and a counselor to me. From discussions about family and culture to wedding planning, advice on parenthood, and navigating my role as a soon-to-be husband, I am forever grateful for everything you’ve shared with me. You’ll always be Auntie Jeannine in my heart.
To Courtney, thank you for entrusting me with the role of Instructional Coach for first and second-year teachers. That experience shaped the way I approach teaching and has deeply influenced how I aspire to lead as an administrator. I will always appreciate the opportunities you gave me to grow. To my P373K family, I’ve been blessed with colleagues who have become dear friends—people I will miss dearly and carry with me as I move forward.
A special thank you to:
1 ● My brotherhood: Rudy (the godfather), Ernest, Mr. T, Mr. Chung, and Mr. Singh—thank you for creating a family-like environment where we could all lean on each other.
● My former and current mentees and teachers: Ms. Pasquetti and Mrs. Crousset (my sisters), Mrs. Hackett and Ms. Griffith (my Caribbean Aunties), Ms. Clarke and Ms. Dennie (my rising stars), Mr. Gordon (Uncle John), Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Perez, and Ms. Johnson (Structured Teaching finest), Ms. Pinkston, Ms. Jordan, and Ms. Douglas (ballerina princess).
● My fellow aspiring leaders: Ms. Daniel, Mrs. Summers, and Ms. Ladenheim—remember, the sky’s the limit, but keep reaching for the stars!
● My emotional support and office staff: Mr. Richard, Ms. Hernandez, Mr. Brian (the heart and soul of BTC), Nurse Gwen, Ms. Wanda, Mr. Walle, Ms. Garcia (my warrior), Ms. Davena (my sister), and Ms. Bastien (Auntie B)—thank you for always having my back.
● To my 373 OGs: Ms. Phil (Auntie Vanessa), Mr. Wright, Ms. Williams, Ms. Spruill (the dynamic duo), and Ms. Martell (Tweety)—you all hold a special place in my heart.
● To every paraprofessional—this school would be NOTHING without you! I’ve always believed that, and I made sure to share that sentiment during my Level II interview with Superintendent Mr. Louissant. Your work is invaluable, and it’s my goal as an Assistant Principal to continue fostering an environment of respect, recognition, and growth for paraprofessionals. You deserve more than just recognition—you deserve the compensation you’ve worked so hard for, and I’ll continue advocating for it!
Over the years, there have been many challenges that tested me, but those challenges have only strengthened my vision and resolve. Every setback was simply a setup for a 2 major comeback. To all the students I’ve served—each one of you has shaped my character in profound ways. You will all be missed more than you know.
To the BTC fallen soldiers—Ms. Tracy, Mr. Garfield, and my brother Mr. Kofi—you are always in my heart. I love you forever.
As I step into this new role at P36K, I carry with me all the lessons and blessings from this amazing school community. From attending the ASCD conference in Chicago in 2019 before the pandemic, to facilitating district professional development on autism, it has been an unforgettable ride. While I may no longer be at P373K, I will always be close by, and this place will forever be my home. A part of me will always be here.
This isn’t goodbye—this is just the beginning of a new chapter in this book we call life. And my legacy here will continue.
Take care, Mr. G
In dedication to my all-time two favorite students David Balbuena and Johnathan Desrosiers.
In loving memory Kofi Seshimey
