Sarah Rubenstein-Gillis

Sarah Rubenstein-Gillis, Director, Community Programs

srubensteingillis@newrootsschool.org, 607-882-9220, ext. 207

I will make it a top priority to get to know each student, and to support and encourage them to discover and explore their passions, interests and strengths, seeing themselves and each other as important members of our school, and local and global communities. I am excited about the ways in which New Roots Charter School will contribute to the educational quality and diversity of this community, and will inspire and prepare young people to face the formidable challenges of our times.

Sarah grew up in the rural Catskills/Hudson Valley area and has lived in the Ithaca area since 1995. She came to New Roots from the Ithaca College Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education where she taught courses in Human Sexuality, Stress Management, and Wellness: Multicultural Perspectives on Health and Healing. She has worked as a community health educator, counselor, and advocate for healthy parenting/child development and prevention of HIV/AIDS and family/intimate partner violence. Sarah has been a committed part of many community boards and organizations including the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County. A Fulbright Scholar to south India, Sarah taught for four years in the Ithaca College Sociology Department and as a trainer for Prevent Child Abuse New York provided staff development for home visitors in the Healthy Families Program. Sarah earned a Bachelor's degree in Community Studies (the study of social change and community organizing) from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and a Master's in Social Work and Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies from Syracuse University. A New York State (NYS) licensed Social Worker (LMSW), she also holds a NYS Administrative Certificate in Pupil Personnel Services - Social Work.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Mohandes K. Gandhi