Project Description
Joyce Pulphus, Fellow
Bronx Design and Construction Academy
The Bronx, NY
Joyce Pulphus, a native Chicagoan, has worked for the New York City Department of Education since 2006. She attended the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate studies and joined Teach for America (TFA) upon graduation. TFA brought her to New York City, where she began her teaching career as a middle school math teacher in the Bronx. She has earned two Master’s degrees from Pace University (NYC Campus) and Teachers College at Columbia University, and an advanced certification from Hunter College School of Education. Joyce is also an alumna of the New York City Leadership Academy. Since joining the NYC Department of Education, Joyce has taught and held leadership positions throughout the Bronx in Districts 7, 8, and 9. Joyce is currently the proud principal of Bronx Design & Construction Academy, a CTE high school in the south Bronx. She is committed to expanding the school to allow middle school students to learn and engage in CTE coursework prior to high school. Joyce is also working to solidify a college partnership to enhance post-secondary collegiate success for Bronx Design students. She established an annual CTE Fair to empower her students and celebrate their academic achievements. Joyce is an avid traveler, music lover, and African diasporic enthusiast. She continues to seek opportunities to grow and develop her social-emotional conscientiousness, while also creating goals that will enhance the education and economic opportunities for people of color.
Francisco Hicks, Ally
Guidance Counselor
Bronx Design and Construction Academy
The Bronx, NY
Francisco "Frankie" Hicks began his career in education when he was only 19 years old. As a Bronx native, and New York City public school student, he has always shared an invested interest to serve his community. With parents who are both educators, Frankie was exposed to the injustices that exist in society, and sought early on to make an impact. Throughout his career, Frankie has worked throughout multiple Bronx area schools as a social aide, community coordinator, CBO program director, and teacher. He is currently a high school guidance counselor at Bronx Design & Construction Academy. Throughout his tenure, he has established enrichment programs to nurture the social emotional development of students. Such programs include the Male Empowerment Club and Rappoetics. In his current position at Bronx Design, Frankie works diligently to ensure students meet graduation requirements, while also supporting schoolwide programming. Frankie takes most pride in assisting students with fulfilling their post-secondary goals. He is proud to be a part of a school community that allows students to have post-secondary options that expand beyond college. Francisco is driven by the work to empower and strengthen the minds of young black and brown students, and he is committed to raising young leaders within the Bronx community.