Abrom Roberts

Born and raised in West Baltimore, ExCEL Special Education Aide Abrom Roberts went to a private high school in Maryland and played varsity basketball all four years there. After attending Florida Atlantic University, he received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is currently working on his master’s degree. He enjoys spending his free time with his two kids, watching football and writing poetry.

What is your past education experience, and what will you bring to the high school?

Before I came to the high school, I was a Dean of Students at City On A Hill, which is a charter school in Roxbury. I also had a lot of experience before then. I was a lead teacher in a therapeutic classroom in Kipp Academy in Lynn. I think the biggest thing I bring to the high school is that I’m really good at relationship building. Being there for kids, going above and beyond for them. I think the ExCEL Program is a great program for me to be able to do that.

How did you hear about ExCEL, and what about it seemed appealing initially?

I interviewed for a position to be a paraprofessional here in the Brookline School District, and I got a call from [Special Education Director] Wendy Ryder, offering me the opportunity to work at the high school. She brought up the ExCEL Program and a little bit of what it was about, and based off of my background, she thought I’d be a really good fit for it, and she was right, because I have experience working in this type of atmosphere, so I felt like it was a perfect fit for me.

What is different about the Excel classroom environment compared to the general classroom at the high school?

I feel like the Excel program is a family atmosphere. We all stick together, we all work together, and we’re all one big family, one big team. Excel works with kids that just need a little extra help, very smart kids that need a little bit more support and attention. I feel like that’s what we’re doing in this program, giving them that extra love they need. Just being there for them, as a family. I love that about the atmosphere. Everybody helps out everybody.

What are your hopes for your students this year?

I hope that, for my seniors, they graduate. For my juniors, I hope they work hard to become seniors, and for the freshmen and sophomores, I hope they have a good experience. I hope they continue to grow as individuals. But I really hope all my seniors graduate. I feel like graduation is the biggest thing. The reason you come to high school is to get your high school diploma. I hope that’s something that they all get an opportunity to do.

What is one thing you wish someone had told you when you were going through high school?

That you need to work hard. I feel like I worked hard, to get myself to college, but I know a lot of people don’t really understand the importance. When I first started out, it was a struggle for me. I wish I had somebody to tell me from the beginning how important college was because I didn’t know until later on. That’s why I’m here, making sure kids get the support they need to move onward. That’s the biggest thing for me, being there for them and making sure they can be successful.

What’s one thing you would like to say to students at the high school?

I’m very thankful. This is such a humbling experience for me to be here, to work for the high school, and I’m very appreciative of the opportunity that Wendy Ryder gave to me. I think this school is really a great place to be. Also, if you ever see me in the halls, please feel free to talk to me. I love talking, helping, and everything the kids need at the high school. If you need anything from me, please don’t hesitate to come and speak to me and ask for help, because that’s what I’m here for.