When you grow up as a teacher’s son, certain qualities get passed down.

My mom, Kathleen Bromstedt, taught for 40 years: 30 in the city of Boston, 10 in the Boston suburbs. She had an unrivaled ability to reach a student regardless of his or her background, and her personality radiated through her classroom, imparting a positive impact on each of her students in those 40 years. Along with her personable demeanor, she made one thing clear: the best ability is availability. She never wavered in her duties to her classroom (or as a mom).

That sort of commitment resonated with me throughout my childhood, and impacted my daily approach as a teacher. I try to work with each of my students in a way that allows them to build confidence and be themselves each class. If you give them a space to take academic risks, and put their best foot forward, you start to see them grow in exciting new ways. And more importantly, they start to see themselves in a new light as learners.

This approach has been effective in my eight years in special education: three years as an assistant teacher at the Gifford School in Weston, MA, three more as a teacher at the Mary McDowell Friends School in Brooklyn, NY, and two years as a 1 on 1 teacher to the 15+ students I’ve worked with directly since starting Fuller Road Scholars.

The positive impact we leave on each other, be it in a classroom, or out in the “real world,” is carried into every other aspect of our lives. This is especially the case in teaching. The impact my mom left on her students was immeasurable. The impact that she had on me, growing up on Fuller Road, is evident each time I work with a student or talk to a parent about their progress.

- Andrew Bromstedt, Founder and CEO