Maurice Thomas
"I believe we can change the life outcomes for students in our community..."
Maurice Thomas
What is your job and its responsibilities?
I am the Executive Director and Founder of Milwaukee Excellence Charter School, a proposed public charter school that will serve children in 5th through 12th grade and provide a college preparatory education. Milwaukee Excellence is slated to open in the fall of 2016. Over the coming year, I’m studying the highest performing urban schools across America in order to design, found, and lead a high-performing middle and high school on Milwaukee’s north side.
How long have you lived in Milwaukee & what brought you here?
I was born and raised in Milwaukee. I’ve lived in Metcalfe Park, Sherman Park, and Glendale. I’m a proud graduate of Rufus King High School and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. My wife Jaimie and I currently live in Walker’s Point surrounded by great people and great food. We love our neighborhood and enjoy so many things Milwaukee has to offer.
Favorite place to grab coffee?
Anodyne Coffee on 224 W. Bruce Street in Walker’s Point is one of the most beautiful places in the city. They have these gorgeous large wooden tables that look as if Paul Bunyan hacked down a couple trees and made the tables on site. The staff is always welcoming so I try to work from the shop at least a few times a week.
Anything that involves riding the Steny’s bus on 2nd and National. I love taking the shuttle service to Summerfest and Brewers games. The people on the bus are always having a great time and the bus drivers are top-notch. I think I just love all things Steny’s to be honest. Does that count as an event?
Is there an issue you believe all Milwaukeeans should turn our attention to?
Education. I believe wholeheartedly that the decisions we make in educating the next generation of children, especially low-income children, will determine if Milwaukee remains an important city to this region and the country. Many of our students are not receiving a high-quality education that puts them on a path to college and professions of their choice. I believe we can change the life outcomes for students in our community, but first we need to talk about how to provide a solid educational foundation to all children in Milwaukee. Feel free to contact me at mthomas@buildingexcellentschools.org if you’d like to know more about the proposed Milwaukee Excellence Charter School.
Newaukeean of the Week
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Dan Panozzo
Oct 28th, 2019 by Newaukee
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Olivia Menzia
Oct 21st, 2019 by Newaukee
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Israel “Izzy” Lugo
Oct 7th, 2019 by Newaukee
WE must start at bottom with kids, MPS and the Left has failed these kids. We must teach them to read by end of third grade so that they can go on. Encourage reading and involve parents. When parents get too involved, criticize schools they get labeled as troublemakers.
How do you get parents more involved? How do you effectively teach kids to read? It is extremely easy and obvious to make those points, and everyone agrees with you. So what do they look like in action? What would you do to make them happen?
People of all colors, religions, sizes nationalities, far poorer than Milwaukee do it. Watch “Waiting for Superman” and read what other areas do. Unions and Left, Feds ruined education. In the 50’s Milwaukee schools were much better.
If the present people cannot do it either fire them or fix them. If the Left would develop programs that actually work people will line up to give money in form of higher taxes till problems is fixed. trouble is Unions, leftists are far more interested in their salaries, bennies and the votes. kids can go to hell. that is what Shanker said.
Just saying “go watch Waiting for Superman” is hardly a solution to these problems WCD. I taught in MPS, at North Division, for 3 years. It was extremely difficult to get parents involved, for a variety of reasons. I want you to provide specific solutions to these problems, not a directive to watch a documentary. What are other places doing that works?
My wife taught third grade all over county as sub after kids raised. I have had property, and worked all over county for 20 years and more. If you are incapable of doing job than get the hell out and take the rest of the losers with you. You guys have lots of opinions but the fact is that you are al total failures in delivering for your paychecks.
all you are good for is excuses.
I am not making excuses WCD. As a parent and former teacher, I care about education and quality schools. I want to know examples of what works when it comes to teaching low income students reading and improving parental involvement. Don’t tell me to watch a documentary. What does your wife think? Surely with all that experience she has some ideas.