By Helen Grenade
July 25, 2025
“Education breeds confidence, we have to make sure our students are learning and profiting. Education is a fundamental right, it’s more than reading, writing and math. It’s one of the most important investments a country can make in it’s people and it’s future. A good education is fundamental to a country’s social and economic well-being ” Principal Colleen McGeehan of the Young Women’s Leaderships School in Manhattan New York USA.
Colleen Mc Geehan, educated, skilled and an astute Principal, who is playing a vital role in pushing her students to achieve their intellectual potential and is very effective in strengthening their resolve and she is certainly succeeding on that front. She is an inspiration and is highly regarded as a visionary and an intellectual who has completed many years of service in the field of education.
Principal Coleen is an example of women who are playing influential roles in this difficult school climate, the Principal and her Administrative team of qualified professionals, is leading the Young Women’s Leaderships School to an academic level of excellence and significant institutional changes. They are also fostering strong connections between the school, the families of the students and the wider community as a whole.
Under the leadership of Principal Colleen Mc Geehan, Assistant Principals Alexa Allen , Medina del Castillo and Dean Carlos Lora, these are the champions creating a positive and lasting outcomes for all their students personal and academic development.
The school curriculum has been enhanced to include improving teaching methods. Higher education is a fundamental privilege, where the students intellectual merits is appreciated and one’s need to stress their academic qualifications. 99% of the Young Women’s Leadership School students graduate from high school in four years. 100% of those graduates are accepted to colleges. 95% enroll in colleges of higher education. The Young Women’s graduates have been earning college degrees at three times the rate of their peers.
88% get to attend four year colleges, and a 76% of the Young Women’s Leaderships School graduates have completed or are enrolled in colleges. About 70% of the students take or are taking one or more AP courses and many of them also earn college credits, to demonstrate superiority, which is always a valuable asset when applying to universities. The AP program is recognized worldwide, it demonstrates its global standing, which is a highly credible academic achievement. The AP courses are one way for students to demonstrate their academic ability to enter colleges and to improve their university portfolio.
When it comes down to achieving academic excellence, the students at the Young Women’s Leaderships School have consistently earned places at top colleges and universities. They receive specialized knowledge in fields that strengthens their skills and which can lead to better career opportunities when they attend four year colleges.
The school is known for its commitment to the continuation of improving educational outcomes today in the USA and the Caribbean, where women are dominating as Principals of schools, but sadly, women are not benefiting from this overall growth as much as men.
Nevertheless, the substantial achievement of women in the sector of educational leadership should be noted.
“Education is of great importance, because it’s main avenue for us here at the Young Women’s Leaderships School is to achieve our social and economic success. Our teachers sharp intellect and deep kindness is what’s sustaining our students throughout their educational journey and providing them with exceptional learning experiences ” says assistant Principal Alexa Allen.
The teachers at the Young Women’s Leaderships School needs to be recognized for their exceptional exemplary performance and discipline, for their hard work and innovation in making a difference for their students in creating a positive learning environment.
As one who observes closely and intently the work that these dedicated teachers perform in and out of the classroom is beyond impressive, is beyond remarkable.
“The teachers of the Young Women’s Leaderships School in Manhattan are the backbone of our educational system. They play a vital role in shaping the future of society by influencing the students learning outcomes and aspirations. They impart knowledge, skills and values to all the students, irrespective of ages and backgrounds and abilities. They are providing quality opportunities for all our students and I am proud of them ” says Assistant Principal Medina del Castillo.
” A proper education is definitely the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ” says school principal Colleen Mc Geehan. Her role as an instructional leader, who balances both her Administrative role and her instructional tasks makes her more than competent as a principal.
There’s an amazing, wonderful and motivated team of administrators, office support staffs, teachers, guidance counselors, school safety and staffs who continues to work diligently and in harmony towards the uplift mentality of the school. They include, Miss Nelly Lopez , Parent Coordinator, Vivian Hercules, Secretary, Ms.Leidy, guidance counselor, Samantha Mc Cusker, Psychologist, Ms.Jennifer Reyes, Paraprofessional, Ms. Jennifer Seijo, Para.
Principal Mc Geehan is highly respected and effective, however both assistant Principals Alexa Allen and Medina del Castillo stand out for their work in educational leadership, as well as Dean Carlos Lora and everyone of the teachers at the Young Women’s Leaderships School, Office support team and staffs.
These super qualified individuals professionals are contributing to the understanding of the school educational leadership and the role of Principal Colleen Mc Geehan in fostering a successful school environment.
In most countries throughout the world, Art is integrated in the curriculum of many schools and it’s no different at the Young Women’s Leaderships School where visual art is integrated into their education program to create a stimulating learning environment with art initiatives which is still in it’s early stage.
Under the guidance of qualified art teacher Miss. Tessa Kramer, where she places her focus on many aspects of the cultural significance of art itself. Through the art , the students learn how to express themselves while learning new skills. Teacher Kramer art classes is aimed to tap into the creative sides of the students, while at the same time it provides fun and engaging experiences, learning new skills that empower them.
The children at the school participates in art classes which is part of the everyday school life. The students gets a chance to express their emotions and thoughts through their own work.
The creative Art students are so very talented, their art is great, artistic, in so many ways, to be able to show their amazing work.
The art classes provide the perfect balance of fun and development, Ms. Kramer encourages her young artists to make their own creative choices, allowing them to expres themselves freely while tapping into their large personalities.
They love getting into serious art work – making, mingling with different materials, following directions from their instructor and the administrative team which provides rich and varied playful environment in which the children can lead the direction of their creativity and discover new things on their own pace. They can experiment and try new things in an environment that is free of any preconceptions about the art and creativity.
The children art education classes is a crucial element to help in the development of individuals fostering creativity and helps to promote cultural understanding. Art education allows children to boost their sense of accomplishment and self worth, especially when they see their work valued and celebrated. In addition to enabling students to understand better. Art education also stimulates them to discover their true talents through such exposures. Ms. Kramer’s classroom is enshrined with her students art work.
Helen Grenade is an experienced free lance writer with a demonstrated history of working in the media productions industry.