Harlem Educator Wins $25K Award For Teaching Excellence

HARLEM, NY — Joshua Modeste's students have long known he wasn't just your average teacher — and a prestigious award just proved them right.

Modeste, a science teacher at the Urban Assembly School for Global Commerce in East Harlem, was named one of five grand prize winners in this year's FLAG Award For Teaching Excellence.

He will receive a $25,000 for his own personal use, plus a $10,000 going to his Madison Avenue school.

One of just five winners from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants from across the five boroughs, Modeste was chosen for his "creativity and push for students to explore different fields of study," according to award organizers.

A "champion of diversity," Modeste is devoted to pushing his students — most of whom are Black or Hispanic and come from low-income households — into careers in science, technology, math and engineering, organizers said.

His techniques for getting students interested in science include Shark Tank-themed challenges, lesson plans that cover topics relevant to his students' backgrounds, field trips, and special guests.

Along with his students, Modeste also founded a science research club at the Urban Assembly School, where students present findings to professional scientists at conferences.

He plans to use his school's grant money to transform an empty space in his classroom into a series of "tactical discover drawers," akin to similar drawers at the Boston Museum of Science, which would be designed and built by his students.

"I am so humbled and grateful to be chosen for this honor!" Modeste said in a statement. "I want to thank my school community and my students for continuing to encourage my creativity and use of Social Justice to get them excited about science."

Now in its third year, the FLAG Award is funded by the nonprofit FLAG Foundation for Excellence in Education — both run by the investment magnate Glenn Fuhrman and his wife, Amanda.

This is not the first time a Harlem teacher has been honored: last year's FLAG Award winners included Dana Monteiro, a music teacher at Frederick Douglass Academy.

See here for a full list of this year's grand prize winners, finalists, and semifinalists.