A class that helps you plan for the future, brings you closer to your classmates, and helps you invest in your education? Welcome to Mr. Susso's Morning Class. - When Alhassan Susso discovered that most of his students had dropped his class when they heard he was going to be teaching it, he knew something had to change. How was he supposed to interest them in the French Revolution when he hadn't taken the time to know what interested them? He started something dubbed The Morning Class - a time before the start of the day for students to learn social, emotional, financial and life skills. As his students opened up about their hopes and their struggles, they learned to trust each other, and Alhassan learned what they needed from him. The effect on their academics was incredible. - The TED-Ed Educator Talks channel is dedicated to celebrating great ideas in education. Each educator featured on this channel participated in TED Masterclass -- a professional learning program that helps people identify, develop and share their ideas with each other... and the world. Want to bring the TED Masterclass program to your school, district or organization?Learn more here: http://bit.ly/tedmasterclass

For immigrant students and their parents, schools like International Community High School (ICHS) manages to offer a safe space in an unsafe time. They provide a welcome, if limited, a reprieve from Trump administration that is cracking down on undocumented immigrants with raids, detention, deportation, family separation, and stricter rules on asylum cases. With a multilingual staff, an ELL-focused curriculum, and cultural sensitivity, ICHS manages to be a refuge for immigrant students.

International Community High School is host to the Bridges program, which has helped SIFE students develop the necessary skills to be able to graduate high school. ICHS's immigrant population includes students who have interrupted formal education and thus require additional and/or varied supports in order for them to be successful as they transition to life in the United States.

Alhassan Susso, a government, economics and personal-development teacher at the International Community High School in the South Bronx, is the 2019 New York State Teacher of the Year. Susso is a member of the United Federation of Teachers.

Shortened Rohatyn Video

2020 Horace Mann Awardee for Teaching Excellence, Alhassan Susso, found his place in the world as young immigrant student when a teacher stepped in to help him. Now, he's returning that same favor to his own students. See out how he's making a lasting impact in his Bronx community.