6/27/2014 Rikers Island school boss helps young prisoners turn their lives around - NY Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/hometown-heroes/rikers-island-school-boss-turns-prisoners-scholars-article-1.1839006 1/6
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Rikers Island school boss helps young
prisoners turn their lives around
Hometown Heroes nominee Tonya Threadgill, 50, of Wheatley Heights, L.I., is the principal
of East River Academy, which serves incarcerated students ages 16-21. Threadgill, who
has been working at Rikers for 20 years, says she is happy to have the opportunity to help
the prisoners fall in love with learning.
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She's called Rikers Island her second home for 20 years but has never been
locked up.
Tonya Threadgill, 50, of Wheatley Heights, L.I., is the principal of East River
Academy a little-known school that serves incarcerated students ages 16-
21.
It takes a really committed, devoted person to empathize and encourage them
not to give up, she said.
Im not happy we have 3,000 young people who are currently incarcerated. But
I am happy to have the opportunity to expose them to a shift in thinking and
love for learning.
For turning prisoners into scholars, Threadgill has been nominated as a Daily
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East River Academy Principal Tonya Threadgill stresses math and science to her students at the
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6/27/2014 Rikers Island school boss helps young prisoners turn their lives around - NY Daily News
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In January, Threadgill administered over 116 Regents exams to
students behind bars, and hopes to administer about 120 in June.
She's been doing an outstanding job for a long time, said Timothy
Lisante, superintendent of alternative schools.
Threadgill created career education classes to motivate students to
do well in subjects like math and science that will serve them well
once theyre back on the outside.
She prioritizes enrollment in the schools two popular culinary classes
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staff newsletters.
Its a way to stay in touch with my staff with something we all enjoy, she said.
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Ive devoted to my career to working with incarcerated youth, Threadgill said.
Although its challenging, someone has to do the job.
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Principal Tonya Threadgill (center) visits one of the young adult classes at East River Academy on
Rikers Island.
6/27/2014 Rikers Island school boss helps young prisoners turn their lives around - NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/hometown-heroes/rikers-island-school-boss-turns-prisoners-scholars-article-1.1839006 3/6
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Good ! I think they should allow inmates older than 21 into her program. There are some over 21 inmates
who need that second chance for high school or just learning period. All they need is the motivation. it
would at the least give inmates something else to do other than play cards, watching TV and ending up
getting themselves into more trouble fighting over the TV, phones, or other forks in the road which are
many. Many are incarcerated because of not going to school when they had the chance.
VERNON FRANKLIN
5 days ago
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My aunt Tonya is an amazing woman! The empowerment of our youth through educational leadership is
truly a key component in the reduction of recidivation, the increase in personal
growth and opportunity, and the furtherance of hope for those who desperately need it. This type of
selfless service really makes a difference in our communities in more profound ways that we know. Well done
Aunt Tony, well done.
PLACIDESAUL
4 days ago
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6/27/2014 Rikers Island school boss helps young prisoners turn their lives around - NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/hometown-heroes/rikers-island-school-boss-turns-prisoners-scholars-article-1.1839006 4/6
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6/27/2014 Rikers Island school boss helps young prisoners turn their lives around - NY Daily News
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6/27/2014 Rikers Island school boss helps young prisoners turn their lives around - NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/hometown-heroes/rikers-island-school-boss-turns-prisoners-scholars-article-1.1839006 6/6
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