A Principal Partner
dr. virginia pepe understands the power of the new york city school system, both as an educator and a parent.
pepe, who earned her teaching degree at columbia university, began her career as a special education teacher and moved on to work for the department of education's central board. twelve years ago, she returned to the classroom, inspired by the "stellar" education her son and daughter, graduates of stuyvesant high school and hunter college, received at new york city public schools.
"i wanted every child to have the quality education that my children got here in the city and that has guided their lives," she said.
in 2002, pepe became principal of p.s. 163, on west 97th street, bringing her passion for teaching and love of reading to the upper west side elementary school.
"the kids who learn to read and love reading go on to be successful," she said. "we have six or seven years to influence and set the foundation for them to be successful and move on to middle schools."
this belief prompted pepe and her staff to create a specialized school curriculum based on reading, writing and comprehension. p.s. 163 also has a dual-language program that teaches children to learn in two languages, and an inclusion program for special education students.
"we have kids who struggle and we have high flyers where learning is not a struggle for them, and the focus there is to enrich and broaden their experiences," pepe said.
pepe also believes it is important for students to be exposed to more than just reading and mathematics, and so an enrichment program allows students to take two elective classes a year.
"some of our kids go to central park and do bird watching. we have two aquariums and they can explore sea life. there are guitar players and drummers," she said.
pepe and her staff also maintain a very close relationship with parents.
"in order for kids to grow, there has to be an intense partnership between parents, staff and child," the principal said.
the staff-parent partnership has been especially crucial during the last three years because of construction going on at the nearby columbus square site, along columbus and amsterdam avenues.
"she has gotten very involved in neighborhood construction and development concerns and helped p.s. 163 form a group that she and some parents sit on. [the group] regularly attends community board 7 meetings to discuss school and community issues," said pta co-presidents julia heath-gil and carrie reynolds, in a statement. "dr. pepe has an open door policy and tirelessly works seven days a week, 365 days a year, to make sure that her students and families get her attention and support. she is the reason p.s. 163 is as successful as it is today."
assembly member daniel j. o'donnell agrees that pepe has been a top-notch leader.
"dr. pepe is a first-rate educator who understands the importance of community involvement in running a successful school," he said. "despite leading p.s. 163 in the midst of a construction nightmare for three years, she has continued to garner respect and has managed to guarantee a quality education for every one of her students."
as the neighborhood around p.s. 163 develops, pepe and her staff will continue to provide a challenging but supportive environment for students to grow.
"just to see that 'a-ha' moment in the eyes of the kids as they get something that challenged them," pepe said, "that's what brings us in every day and leads us to do the work that we do in building our children's capacities to be the leaders of tomorrow."