About Me: Bill Craft

I am a middle school guidance counselor, the former Elementary Coordinator for the Wellesley METCO Program, and a former elementary and middle school special education tutor. I am a K-8 educator committed to emphasizing the value of supporting the social and emotional well being of children, the exploration of cultural identity, the shared components of backgrounds and the celebration of differences in those backgrounds, as well as the importance of considering the perspectives of others and looking at the world through a variety of lenses. Equally important to me are the many components of a healthy, nurturing, community and the notion that high academic achievement is realized through a focus on these elements of the educational experience of children.

About Me: Janis Fovel

Janis Fovel has been an educator in the Wellesley Public Schools for over 30 years, and has been dedicated to the building of classroom community and connecting with the students in an authentic way. She believes that establishing a nurturing and caring classroom community is the foundation needed in order for children to achieve in the academic setting. Considering the perspectives of other members and looking at and sharing their own cultural identities has deepened the conversations in the class and has led to an increase in ally behavior and empathy among all members. This has led to creating a sense of “family” within a larger school environment and to greater risk taking among the students.

About Me: Connor Colarossi

Connor Colarossi is a Needham High School Junior working with Bill Craft as an intern on a number of related projects.  Connor designed the AA &R website and contributed many of the links in the Ally Behavior/Anti-Bullying and Cultural Identity segments of the site and the list provided for the course.  It has been eye-opening to have Connor’s perspective, as a high school student, in terms of what may be helpful or useful in our work around these topics with children.