It feels as though a long-lost relative has finally come home: Billy talks like everyone else at Domus does about having high student expectations, holding everyone accountable for ambitious results, and looking forward instead of back.
But Billy's also back home...literally. He's a native New Haven son who's back to make an impact after teaching and leading schools for the Middletown Public Schools and Amistad Academy. "I have a huge concern about the gun violence" here in New Haven. His mission here goes beyond the professional realm--helping Domus Academy youth reach their potential is personal.
Billy has been working with our school staff to put a plan in place right now to "make sure our activities align with the mission." His turnaround of Stamford's Stark Elementary School, long the city's lowest-performing school, is well-known, and here, like there, he knows "we must be very intentional about what we do." He's met with every single staff person to hear about where they think their strengths lie and what they believe the school needs. "Everybody [at Domus Academy] believes that kids can do wonderful things." (High expectations? Check.)
Our conversation returned again and again to students, as it does when you talk with any Domus employee. "There are so many great kids with so many great talents, and they haven't been given the space to express themselves in a way" that works for them. He's already created partnerships with city organizations to help us expand the ways we engage students during the day and during our extended-day program.
Another word that popped up again and again? Results. And another: Excuses.
He wants one of those. Guess which one.
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