The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Principal in a Tough Community Is Inspiring the World

by Nadia Lopez, Rebecca Paley

Be inspired by the magnetic young principal who "stands on the front line of the fight to educate America's children." (Brandon Stanton, author of Humans of New York ) and the book that Essence calls "Essential reading."

In 2010, Nadia Lopez started her middle-grade public school, Mott Hall Bridges Academy, in one of America's poorest communities, in a record heat wave--and crime wave. Everything was an uphill battle--to get the school approved, to recruit faculty and students, to solve a million new problems every day, from violent crime to vanishing supplies--but Lopez was determined to break the downward spiral that had trapped too many inner-city children. The lessons came fast: unengaged teachers, wayward students, and the educational system itself, rarely in tune with the already disadvantaged and underprepared.

Things were at a low ebb for everyone when one of her students told a photographer that his principal, "Ms. Lopez," was the person who most influenced his life. The posting on Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York site was the pebble that started a lucky landslide for Lopez and her team. Lopez found herself in the national spotlight and headed for a meeting with President Obama, as well as the beneficiary of a million-dollar campaign for the school, to fund her next dream: a field trip for her students to visit another school--Harvard.

The Bridge to Brilliance is a book filled with common sense and caring that will carry her message to communities and classrooms far from Brooklyn. As she says, modestly, "There are hundreds of Ms. Lopezes around this country doing good work for kids. This honors all of them."

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Teaching, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Politics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2016

Reviews

[Esil · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for Nadia Lopez and what she has achieved in one small school in Brownsville, Brooklyn. And 5 stars for the simple direct way in which she tells her story. The Bridge to Brilliance had me more interested than most novels I have read recently and it had me tearing up quite a few times. I gather Lopez and her school’s story hit the press in the US in early 2015, but reading her book was my first introduction to her, her school and her students. In 2011, Lopez opened Mott Hall Bridges Academy middle school in Brownsville, one of the most disadvantaged areas in New York -- high crime and very low standard of living. Lopez set out to create a school where middle school kids in the neighbourhood would have a safe place to learn and see themselves graduating from high school and going to college. In her book, Lopez describes the first few years – she talks about her hands on approach, how she picked and developed good teachers and the stories of a few students and their families. She makes clear that there’s no magic solution – it’s all about persistence and dedication in treating the kids with respect and expecting the same from them. She is also realistic that chances of success are pretty slim if the kids’ parents aren’t supportive and about the gang culture in the neighbourhood that constantly threatens to encroach into some of the kids’ lives. It’s a bit of a Sisyphean endeavour, and the rewards come from individual successes. But there are also failures. Lopez struggles with the fact that while she has created a safe and dynamic environment, her school’s standardized test scores remain low. Lopez is clear that what she is doing is not the solution to systemic inequities in the American public education system – her work is a band aid that helps a handful of kids. She is operating in a system that has generally given up on the types of kids who live in neighbourhoods like Brownsville, and that looks at test scores of such schools to assess future funding needs for the criminal justice system rather than the educational needs of the kids – no joke. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in public education. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book on my "must read" list after reading the description in one of Essence Magazine's book release sections. I cannot remember the last time I finished a book this quickly and I was captivated from start to finish. Ms. Lopez, the principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, takes the reader through the struggles, triumphs, and every moment between them that she experiences on a daily basis at her school. As someone who was gifted with a top notch education growing up, I am well aware of the influence great teachers who really care and believe in your success can have on your outlook on life. Throughout the reading of this book, I was brought back to the teachers who shaped my experiences growing up and I felt a new level of gratitude for them I didn't have before.

In addition to making me grateful beyond measure, chronicling the individual stories of several of the MHBA students made it so evident how the influence of love in education really makes a world of difference. It's less about the kids being unable to do something and more about them not hearing enough that they can do something, despite all the odds that may say otherwise. Ms. Lopez gets that and her approach of setting expectations and goals for these children shows that. She's quick to let them know that just because others outside the school may not believe in them, she always does and that they should too.

I would absolutely recommend this book to friends. I was uplifted, rejuvenated, and left feeling hopeful for the future of education knowing people like Ms. Lopez and her staff exist in the world. I'll never cross the bridge from Manhattan back to my favorite borough without thinking of her and the kids at Mott Hall Bridges.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a huge reminder why I got out of NYC. I love teaching--- and I love(d) my students with a passion, especially the tricky ones--- I enjoyed meeting them, getting to know them and figuring out how to help them and get them to read and question--- so when I saw this book announced on Humans of New York, I thought that this would be a great addition to my brain.
But then....then I actually picked up the book....and was reminded of exactly why I left the NYDOE.
This principal comes off so arrogant and condescending...I wanted to throw the book at her. She contradicted herself so many times--- No one should be in it for the money (but then brought up teacher salaries to prove why they needed to provide better service). A school is made up of great teachers--- and staff, but yet....she was the only one making the school so awesome. Only certain students were allowed on the Harvard trip--- those that had earned it, yet she allowed a student who had been a problem because she knew he needed it (what about the other kids who hadn't earned it, did they not need it). She also brought up how much teachers get paid for over time--- and I almost spit out my coffee....I worked at least 70 hours a week and NEVER got any overtime (the DOE would go bankrupt!). I get her intention....but she needs to take a step back and remind herself that she is not the ONLY one making that school work --- and that teachers are not the bad guys. Also--- she was exactly my pet peeve as a teacher--- meaning she taught for only a handful of years--- and then became a principal. I feel like principals should have to be a teacher for a certain amount of years (10??) so that when they become principal they remember and have walked the walk for long enough that they are credible. But, alas, I need to stop ranting.
I do not recommend this book--- it was poorly written with an arrogant tone and I found that the only thing I learned from the book was that I do not miss people like her in the industry....I do miss my colleagues and my students.
Read? Nah, there are better education/teacher books out there. Don't bother with this one.

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is a good book, with just a few "slow" spots. Even though I'm not a teacher, I'm obsessed with books about education. I graduated from college long ago and I miss it. I'm always tempted to go back to school to get my teaching certificate, and this book made those feelings stronger. Ms. Lopez is an inspiration. The book made me think about and feel for all the kids who live in and attend school in underserved communities. It's easy to get lost in your own privilege and forget about those who can be killed just by going to a library that's not in their own "territory." My son attends a high school where every student is given a laptop while, just a few miles away, kids are going to schools that don't have enough books. My son and his friends can hop on their bikes and ride to a Chinese restaurant and sit down and eat a nice meal, while, just a few miles away, there are kids who can't even walk home without the fear of being shot. This book is a wake up call, both heartbreaking and hopeful. The kids who attend Mott Hall live in poverty and struggle every single day but, at the same time, they are blessed to have a principal who cares about them deeply and will do anything to make sure they succeed. Every school needs a Ms. Lopez.

[Olukemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book. It’s obvious she is committed to the children and loves her job. I worry about becoming like her. Too committed to others children and not working enough on building her family or own child. Balance is key in education and I just didn’t see that in this story.

She shares some amazing stories like meeting Barack and her experience with Humans of NY. I don’t envy or aspire to live her life. All work and no play. Is this what changes lives? I’m torn. I appreciate her sharing but nah, she can have that life.

Finding people committed to youth is hard but I wished she took time for self.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The country needs many more principals like Nadia Lopez, who fights tenaciously for the children in her NYC middle school. It seems fortuitous that the story of Mott Hall Bridges Academy was brought to light in the blog Humans of New York, because Ms. Lopez has a lot of practical advice for helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. And she also has some helpful thoughts on what constitutes progress in students' lives, and that some successes are not measured by standardized tests. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the education of children.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Nadia Lopez from the Humans of New York post in 2015 and the fundraiser that enabled her to take her entire school of underprivileged scholars to visit Harvard. But that was only the surface of her story, which is beautifully articulated in this reflection on the origins of Mott Hall Bridges Academy.

I was fortunate to hear her inspiring keynote address at the ISTE 2018 Conference, and I’m glad I chose to buy and read her book.

A must read for all educators, policy makers and community leaders of both privileged and underprivileged communities.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former social worker the environments I worked in were Juvenile detention & a 6A inner city school. I also worked in Mental Health as a crisis emergency service social worker.
Growing up in 13 different states & attending both rural/urban schools I was very touched what the author/writer has been through. Never give up, never get discourage. Do you’re very best to keep the child out of harm’s way, most of all get them an education & help them find a job in order to be a productive citizen in the mainstream society.

You are not gonna be able to save every kid that is just not realistic thinking.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A fabulous very well written educational book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great inner city school movie, college PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series or even a documentary (A & E, History channel). There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free (Goodreads; MakingConnections; Penguin Random House LLC; Viking Books; AUCP; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Jessica Abarquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a reminder of why I teach.

[Jena Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book a few years ago, at a time it would have really benefited me even more to read it. Ms. Lopez speaks for so many educators—teachers and administrators alike—when she shares the soaring moments of joy in impacting real change and also the desperate and despairing lows of wondering if the thing you’re killing yourself for is even making a difference.

“All these details were crucial to me because I believe education is not just about academics. If you are going to save lives, you have to give children the right spaces, resources, cues, and support for them to share, figure themselves out, and then learn.” -p.15

“Everyone on this planet has her blind spots, and it’s a leader’s job to coax sight, for personal growth if nothing else.” -p.38

“Sometimes it felt like every moment was a low moment.” -p.47

“There’s no magic educational theory or new program that is going to make teaching a difficult child in a difficult place easy.” -p.50

“I had to learn the point between pushing and breaking, between asking people to be better and making them feel like they aren’t good enough.” -p.51

“If a kid is not learning in a classroom, we can have him evaluated, do all that, and then we’re going to get a piece of paper that will confirm— he isn’t learning. Simply put, an IEP doesn’t change a teacher’s responsibilities.” -p.65

“Yet it is precisely the hardened traits they develop in order to survive in their neighborhood that make supporting children in underserved communities so difficult for educators. No matter how disrespectful and defiant my scholars started out as at Mott Hall, I was determined never to forget their humanity.” -p.71

“Therefore, at Mott Hall, the way classes are run and the curricula teachers use must take into account the needs of those we are serving. Otherwise we just create institutionalized spaces that scream the message: ‘If you don’t conform to what we do here, then you don’t belong.’ And children, especially those from places like Brownsville, who we, as educators, say we want to help the most, wind up simply not belonging in school.” -p.77

“...Naturally I called her home right away, and when Mom arrived, she straight-up questioned me in front of her daughter: ‘Who did you have to sleep with to get this job?’ I wanted to laugh. ‘You think I slept with someone to be in Brownsville?’ I said.” -p.102

“In moments like that one with Angelica, I’m stepping in to expose scholars to ideas of relationships and ways of living that they haven’t been exposed to before. Instead of continuing to blame parents who don’t have the capacity, I teach their children how to manage themselves—and even how to support their parents.” -p.110

“Widening prospects, presenting positive role models, and encouraging truthful and important communication between generations—these were all the goals of Mott Hall’s youth summits.” -p.137

“They just needed to be reminded. Everyone needs reminders, and I consider it one of my biggest assets that I never tire of reminding.” -p.139

“Once a week I met with these girls, who fit the mold that typically slips through the cracks. No one says anything bad about them, but no one says anything good either. Because they’re not an issue, we don’t pay attention to them and they quietly fail.” -p.141

“‘Stop being insignificant in this space,’ I say.” -p.170

“When you don’t feel safe, there is always a feeling of hopelessness, because safety is the foundation for thriving. If you are constantly in a state of fear, you can’t aspire to anything more than just surviving.” -p.178

“In order to get from school to their homes alive, often with little ones in tow, they need to ignore many adults along the way. When they come to school, they don’t know how to shift to being children. On an unconscious level, they don’t understand that a teacher is a different kind of adult, one they should obey. They can’t turn off those thoughts that say, ‘No one is there to take care of me, so I run my own ship, and I don’t need to listen to you.’” -p.182

“The satisfaction of helping a child expand his or her potential isn’t easy, immediate, or obvious.” -p.182

“The only way I can keep my teachers working with the intensity and compassion they do no matter how bad the kids get is by reminding them, through exercises like our Brownsville walk, WHY the kids are bad.” -p.182

“As much as I believed in the vision and mission of my school, I was stressed out about our numbers and told anyone who would listen that I lived in fear of them. I think I speak for every principal when I say that there is a never-ending fear that if your numbers don’t meet expectations, you will be seen as a failure who didn’t do what you needed to. No matter how much you try to argue the proficiency of your students as readers, mathematicians, scientists, and human beings; no matter how many articles are written about your school; no matter how happy the children and adults are working within its walls—if the state exam scores don’t meet expectations, the response will be, ‘Is she really preparing kids for college? Is she preparing them for a successful life?’” -p.188

“I was torn between focusing my time and energy on my numbers, the mandate from above, and following my instinct about the cultural, behavioral, and emotional things that need to be addressed with children, especially those in middle school.” -p.198

“Mott Hall Bridges didn’t have the numbers, but I knew that the scholars loved their school because they told me in the hallways and wrote me letters or texts when they left—and their parents reiterated the sentiment. They loved it because their teachers believed in them, they were given choices, and their principal really cared about them. I have seen the limits of good numbers. In my brief experience in a charter network during my New Leaders residency, I saw the methods they used to get their test scores up, prizing that goal above all other types of work. I often wondered what those children would say if asked how they felt about their school. It was then that I decided I had larger goals for my scholars.” -p.200

“Second-guessing is an occupational hazard since, as a principal, there is no one to tell me right from wrong. The education system is set up so that we principals are all in our own buildings, doing our own thing (mainly trying to survive.) That kind of autonomy might seem liberating, but when things aren’t going right, you are the only person who is left to blame.” -p.201

“I built the structure as we went along. It was trial and error, except that I couldn’t afford the error part. I had to be successful, because the stakes for my scholars were too high for me to fail them.” -p.203

“As 2014 rolled to a close, I worried that I was slowly destroying myself for something that wasn’t even working.” -p.204

“The kids never felt like they were winning, and I started to feel like I couldn’t win either. I doubted whether anything I did made a difference and whether I mattered. I kept it to myself—cried in my office alone or stared at the ceiling at 3:00am—but I was broken.” -p.205

“Long before that day, I had worried that I was becoming a detriment to Mott Hall. My heart was in the right place, but I wondered if my relentless drive to do what I felt we were supposed to wasn’t actually holding others back...My mentality was always that if you don’t do it, I’m going to, because it’s my school.” -p.211

“People just fell in love with our story, which came to the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited us to appear on her popular daytime TV show...The producer in charge of prepping guests worried I wasn’t ‘excited’ enough and tried to script us, but he had the wrong person. I’m nothing if not authentic and will be excited when it’s time to get excited.” -p.223

“I remembered what a hard grader he was and how difficult he had made life for me in the sixth grade. But these many years later we were reconciled over how much I’d learned then, and how much it had mattered to me for so very long.” -p.232

“...then I picked my head back up and saw Vincent, a boy who’s had a restraining order out on him after he broke another scholar’s jaw, now a young man with expectations for himself.” -p.248

“Success isn’t that they no longer have to struggle. The children who pass through this school will always struggle. Success is when they have the confidence and resilience to know they CAN struggle.” -p.249

“Until that day, those of us working in places like Brownsville are doing it all by ourselves, using the basic tools of teaching: being present, being repetitive, coming at it from another way, asking many questions, having patience, and not giving up.” -p.253

“When I told him he got the third answer right—three out of three—the look on his face was priceless. He was so happy. Learning for learning’s sake, this was the reward.” -p.260

[Karen Ashmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about how a woman started a middle school in one of the poorest neighborhoods of New York. She succeeded by focusing on social and emotional development, in addition to academic achievement. But most importantly, she instilled ambition in students who previously had been hopeless.

[Beth Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this middle school principal on Instagram when Humans of New York featured a student who spoke of how he was inspired by his principal. And I can see why he was inspired! She is a force of nature of good for the children of Brownsville. The world needs more Ms. Lopez’s.

[Alex Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely read. As a teacher it was what was needed at the end of the term; a reminder that hard work does have an impact, even if we don’t always see it. Nadia is quite a star.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia Lopez began to have a vision, and with experiences in other schools, taking what she thought worked, and rejecting what did not, started Mott Hall Bridges Academy, a middle school that began with only a few sixth graders, but grew to one with about 200 sixth, seventh and eighth graders from the neighborhood of Brownsville. The statistics are staggering. She tells that this “school to prison pipeline” begins early, in pre-school! From the U.S. Education Department’s Civil Rights Data Collection comes the statistic that black students who represent 18 percent of the population made up 48 percent of the students who were suspended more than once. Nadia Lopez wanted to change the trajectory of that pipeline. The story told is inspiring and amazing in the work that Ms. Lopez is doing, along with the teachers, other administration and volunteers that have been counted on be there for the kids, always, never letting up.
I made notes from a few places that give a partial overview of the beliefs held in order to take these “scholars” (the name given to students in the school) on the road to brilliance-hence the title. They want the children to stay children, to feel safe in order to learn. They work toward the goal for the students to learn that they can do anything they set their goals for. They have the right to choose--activities, the way to learn, and to learn how they learn. They are taken out into the world to see what they don’t realize is “out there”. For example, many of the children have never seen the Brooklyn Bridge, so an annual visit there is planned. One strong concept is that students are always told the truth. That too might seem simple, yet so many of these children are lied to and do not trust adult words, although they do trust that they are failures, because that is most of what has happened to them. In this school, no one gives up on anyone.
Nadia Lopez shared that only a very few did not succeed eventually, through hard work, and always having at least one supporting adult. Another underlying philosophy is when there are questions from visitors or staff, the answer is to “ask the students”, and to “listen”. Educators know that often there is more to a story than is told, but Ms. Lopez persists until she does discover the reasons underlying the behaviors. She does not give up, on teachers and on students! I am retired now, but this made me want to be back into the classroom again, taking to heart all that I learned, or had affirmed, from this book. Thanks to Net Galley for the ability to read this book, out just at the end of August.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an educator, I am inspired by Nadia Lopez's story. Starting a school in the roughest neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY for a community that is underprivileged and low income. She started from the bare bones, with only handful of students the first year and has continued to build her school into a safe haven for her scholars. She has shown them that people care about them and that they have opportunities no matter what society may say. They now know they have to work hard and they have an incredible support system within the school and the community. Nadia has proven to the community that the children are hers as well and that she wants what is best for them like her own child. She has taught the staff how to be patient with each student, each having some kind of preverbal baggage that comes along with them. The staff knows that these students need individual attention or more help than some others, and they provide this with minimal resources. Nadia has become an esteemed community member, educator and speaker thanks to her passion and desire to find the best in everyone and help every child learn, no matter what. Her story tells of all the struggles over the years, as well as the success stories. This inspiring memoir is one everyone should read, to understand some of the true plights of educators and how all we want is what is best for the students. "...I believe in all my scholars. Because every child can learn, every child matters, and every child should have the chance to walk across the bridge to brilliance."

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the amazing story of Nadia Lopez and her commitment to educating the whole child. Ms. Lopez left the corporate world to become a teacher. She is driven and moved quickly with her advanced education, classroom experience and leadership training to become the first principal of a new school in 2010..well a new school in an existing building. The Brownsville section of Brooklyn is dangerous complete with crime, gangs, drugs and gun violence. In fact due to the extent of crime, Brownsville is ranked 69/69 of all police precincts in New York City...the worst in the city. Yet Nadia Lopez has created a safe zone in the Motts Hall Bridges Academy, a public middle school. She is devoted to each scholar (there are no students at this school, just scholars), she knows them personally and she knows what their lives and their obstacles are outside the school. Ms. Lopez has become each scholar's advocate and she stresses that each child is important. She is relentless and demands her teachers work as hard as she does (almost as hard). She laments the lack of quality education that her scholars receive at the elementary level, for an inadequate teacher will affect the child for several years. She and her staff have to overcome extreme educational obstacles in order to teach their scholars and to try to stem the "classroom to jail cell" phenomenon. Nadia Lopez also recognizes that money alone cannot buy higher grades and success. Unfortunately, although private fundraising through Humans of New York has given Mott Hall Bridges a phenomenal amount of money, the scholars' academic achievement has remained unchanged. This school continues to be ranked one of the lowest performers in the city. The individual stories of the scholars are heartbreaking, yet inspiring. For the way out of poverty is not politicians' promises which come every four years and never come to fruition, but the way to a better life is through a good education. Nadia Lopez is a role model for all educators and for all of us.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

reflections: I used read Humans of New York on Facebook every day. The photographer would shoot a photo of a person and ask a question. In one post, a young boy told about an influential person in his life, the principal of his school.

The Bridge to Brilliance is written by that influential person. Ms. Lopez received a grant to open a middle school in inner-city Brooklyn in 2010. The first chapters tell details about her plans for the school. The students would be called scholars, not students. The school color would be purple and black. She had high expectations for the scholars, staff and teachers.

I found the beginning of the book hard to read because Ms. Lopez jumped around chronologically and threw out statistics. Before giving up on the book, I jumped to Chapter 8 "Praise for Humans" and immediately found the book much more interesting. In this chapter, Ms. Lopez is at her breaking point. Then she receives a text asking her if she has seen this, referring to the Humans of New York post. From there, events happen quickly. After I finished that chapter, I was able to read the earlier portions of the book.

epilogue and more reflections: Not a spoiler, on the last page, Ms. Lopez tells about a young boy who knows whenever he feels so angry in class that he will erupt, he can leave the room to go to her office. For a few years, I had an office in the elementary school. The fourth and fifth grade teachers and I had an agreement: if a certain boy felt he would blow up in class, he had blanket permission to leave their classrooms to come to my office to chill and calm down until he was ready to go back. This young boy is now a successful young adult.

[Ye Lin Aung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book (with not very few parts, understandably).

I first found out about this book from HONY, like many others. I have read the story about the school, the kid and Ms Lopez before and I have a huge admiration for them.

Ms. Lopez is the MVP. She has the huge heart.
She understands and values the utmost importance of the education.
She listens to everyone and values everyone equally.
She does not give up and she is such an inspiration. I wish I had a teacher like her.

I also had a glimpse how American education system works and how different schools operate etc.

Here's a few quotes that I really like

"When you have no education, it's like being in a small room with many people.
There is little opportunity available to you, and many people are competing with you.
But as you educate yourself, the room grows. You have more opportunities, and less people competing with you."

"Because every child can learn, every child matters, and every child should have the chance to walk across the bridge to brilliance.

I really enjoyed the book and recommend everyone to give it a shot :)

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The smallest action can change a life. I already knew about Ms. Lopez from HONY back in 2015. I knew she had put in years of hard work and she was at her breaking point. I knew she had change hundreds of lives for the better.

What I didn't know were the stories of Jessica. Of Malik. Of Antonne. Of taking the kids on a walk through Vassar profoundly effected them. How some of the children can't even go to the library for fear of getting shot.

Needless to say, if you are feeling sorry for yourself about school, are looking for some inspiration, or want to know how you can Help the world? This is a damn good place to start.


My only issue with the book was how it was written. I felt like it could have been organized better, but it didn't deter me from devouring this book.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every school has a story. There are inspiring students, leaders, teachers, and parents everywhere. So I'm not that impressed with this one, particularly because its overall tone is arrogant. That may be a flaw in the ghost writing, or it may be my inherent bias against educators who think they can run a school because hey, working at Verizon isn't that different, and if I have a vision for how children can succeed, they will.

I also question whether Lopez's school would succeed if she weren't there. She may be a driven and inspiring leader who connects with kids, but she is one person. Would her school survive without her? Are there structures and personnel in place which will stand the test of time?

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first saw this story on Humans of New York, like most people, and was so inspired then by Ms. Lopez and her school. Even though I am always a little afraid of being "Three Cups of Tea"d when I read this sort of book, I can't really find anyone who DOESN'T think this is an amazing story. If we could clone this woman we could improve education by leaps and bounds. Love the story, love Ms. Lopez. My only concern--she admits to doing almost nothing but work--every day, all day, into the night. This doesn't necessarily seem like a sustainable model that can be reproduced across the country. Still, an amazing story. Not to be missed.

[Nia Ita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a MUST-read for anyone in the education field and a strong recommendation for anyone in leadership. Nadia is an inspiration for anyone looking to make a difference in underserved communities. This book outlines the process of her founding Mott Hall Bridges, all of the challenges and successes. There is so much to learn - my copy is heavily highlighted and annotated.

I had the pleasure of hosting Behind the Book interview with Nadia - feel free to check it out here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKz5I...

Instagram/Twitter: @niaitathomas
Follow #NiaItaBookClub on Instagram.

[Bryon Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early on Nadia Lopez’s book The Bridge to Brilliance, How One Principal in a Tough Community is Inspiring the World, gave the impression of a passionate educational leader, one who would stop at nothing to provide a solid present and hopeful future for her students, yet who had the answers for everyone: teachers, students, parents, and the reader. This tend towards personal hubris was further assumed when I discovered that she had led a TED talk, an uber-mark of having made it. It continued with the discovery of “The Lopez Effect”, with its own web page. Yet this initial impression, somewhat validated through the writing, gave way to the story of a committed human being, struggling and succeeding in Brooklyn. The challenges of navigating the easily unfriendly school system, the tragic lives of some students, the realities of working with teachers of differing abilities, the obstacles of competing with traditional public schools, the quagmire of the current high-stakes testing and its impact on schools, the burnt-out life that Lopez experienced, and more, provide some provocative reading from a leader whose agenda is to provide a quality education in a safe environment for a hopeful future.
Lopez’s school’s national prominence via Humans of New York, and her trip to DC to meet with the president along with her students, have provided an exposure and funding to aid the school for some time to come. Yet, I came away wondering about those students, those schools, who do not have a Nadia Lopez, who do not have outside funding. Lopez’s commitment seemed to come at a cost as a mother, and led to an anemic work/life balance. The Bridge to Brilliance does show a success story, at times humbly so, but also recognizes how the current US educational system is broken, and staffed with many quality individuals who simply can’t be a Lopez. The book’s last chapter, Never Give Up is an apt fitting for those committed to helping kids cross a bridge to success. It is also one for those who endeavoring to turn around systems, and not only schools.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a must read for anyone going into the education field. Behavior issues are on the rise and teaching to the test is what you can expect in this profession. The public education system and children need help more now than ever and the system is failing so many. Most politicians have never stepped foot into public schools to see what it is really like. They don't care and that's a problem because schools need better funding and support.
Nadia Lopez is a principal that gives her all to her school, staff and students. This is definitely not typical at most schools across the nation. Her school is in a tough community that most teachers don't even want to teach at because it is so dangerous. Burn out is higher in those schools than of those in better communities. You can see that her heart is completely invested in what she is trying to do for her school. She does a great job of putting the social emotional needs of her students first while still trying to maintain high expectations from her students and staff. Her commitments go above and beyond. I did kind of wonder if this drive is a detriment to her and her child though.
A lot of what she says is common sense, but most educational staff are now burnt out and frustrated. Many quit after three years or can no longer see the positives in what they are doing and just go through the motions. Hopefully this book will inspire school staff to keep doing their best to make a difference in the lives of children. Education should matter to everyone and we need to do better for kids.

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many of us, we have our own lessons to learn, and Nadia Lopez has had a very tough one. When you are given a mission in life like Nadia, it can be a painstaking process with much sacrifice from beginning to end. Hers begin from the bottom, ground-zero and required resilience, imagination, toughness and a large capacity to fulfill her purpose. To carry out her dream required exponential imagination, a vision and the belief to manifest the results she had envisioned for a period of time for many, that would have been unimaginable. Her vision was not so much for herself but developing a class of people and a community that has been neglected by larger society. Nadia came with the skills to perform and garner the resources and attention needed for a depraved community. She did it the only way she knew how.
I was very impressed with her compassion and empathy and detail understanding of those needs for the children that attended Mott Hall. The love for those children and various ways she expressed that love. I was impressed by her determination and ability to carry that burden.

Secondly, I am so happy for her, that she reached her mountain top and is now journeying on the other side. I am happy for what she accomplished for those so desperate in need and who can now pay it forward. They will never forget, nor can anyone ever take away, that which they gained under her watch. I hope they are continuing in the vain and have been able to maintain the standards she originally set. I too applaud you Nadia.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It makes me sad that there are so few teachers/administrators like this woman. She cares a lot about her "scholars" as she calls the kids in the school she started, and she has so much energy!

There are competitions for designing memorials and bridges, etc. but why aren't there competitions for trained public school teachers and principals to design innovative new kinds of schools like Ms. Lopez's Mott Academy?

Two little quibbles: Ms. Lopez refers to student's mothers as "Mom _____" but refers to herself as Ms. Lopez and to her staffers by their title and surname. Sure the moms are moms of her students but why not use the parent's title? MRS. _____ would be more appropriate and respectful in my opinion. I think her dedication to her students is admirable--she cares for them in ways their parents may not be able to. But what about HER daughter? I did not realize she had a child until well into the book because Lopez talks about being a her school until 8 or 10 pm and on weekends. Who is raising and nurturing HER daughter? Her MOTHER! Yes her students do have many needs but I felt it was a bit unfair towards both her daughter and her mother for Lopez to not be there for her daughter more than was presented.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish there were a 'two and a half stars' rating. Saying I "liked" is almost too strong. The audio quality was good, the story advanced, and the author told her story well. But my initial reaction was something along the lines of, "another story of victory (almost) snatched out of the jaws of the failing education system's inner city meat grinder." I am so happy that there are great educators like Nadia Lopez out there, but it makes one wonder why her colleagues are not also "stepping up." And if they all are, why do keep bemoaning performance in (mostly) public schools? Or, is it all a huge scheme of 'fake news' (failing schools) intended to keep the dollars flowing? I loved the part about raising $300K (several tens of thousands in minutes/hours) via crowd funding for outings to Harvard. Although, .... Do we really need a bunch more Harvard-trained ____ (I'm sure some educators), when so many of our problems can directly trace their roots to really smart people 'innovating'? Just sayin'.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially picked up this book because of the Humans of New York photo series. As an educator, I was inspired by Ms. Lopez's go-getter attitude and work ethic. I was humbled by her passion, and I was challenged to bring the same passion to my work.

However, the more I read, the more I realized how unhealthy her life was. Near the end of the book, she describes a chronic sickness that she had developed due to her extreme working conditions. I was slightly dismayed at the thought of the sacrifice she was making of bonding with and being there for her own daughter as she stayed at school late into the night and went in on weekends. This book is not about their relationship, but it did distract from the wonders she was working in Brownsville. However, one person cannot do everything, and she is dedicated to her job and her mission.

This narrative was enlightening, necessary, and earnest. I encourage everyone to read this book.

[Debra Oliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...every child can learn, every child matters, and every child should have the chance to walk across the bridge to brilliance." - Nadia Lopez
These are the closing words of the book and I could not agree more! As an educator, I have spent the last 20 years convincing my students that they are capable of achieving their dreams.
Ms. Lopez tells us how she is achieving her dreams with a particularly challenging group of students, her road is much harder than those of us who work with middle-class students but she makes clear that the scholars matter and the teachers matter.
If you have children or you work in the educational field, please read the book about the school made famous in the blog, "Humans of New York".

[Avis J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this

As a father this book taught me I have a ways to go as far as supporting my son when it comes to his education. Patience really is a virtue. Education is a joint effort and is a 24 hour thing with responsibilities falling or parents and school staff( not just teachers). Nadia Lopez definitely leads by example and in my opinion the definition of a true leader. Her strategies and dedication really inspired self examination. We have to instill in our children an unbreakable self belief and worth. Biggest take away, we all need to belief in ourselves more than anything or anyone in order to succeed in this world. If we don’t know and believe we matter no one else will either.