Adam Kendis

Experience

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  Pablo Neruda Academy for Architecture And World Studies

  Aug 2003 - Jun 2006

  Math Teacher and Experiential Learning Coordinator

  I began my formal career as an educator as a founding teacher at PNA, a new, small public high school founded at the height of NYC’s small-schools movement whose goal was to provide a more personalized education, particularly in underserved communities. In my second year at PNA my role expanded to include being a Team Leader responsible for coordinating a group of five teachers including the implementation of interventions such as after-school support and coordinating cross-curricular projects. I also designed, implemented and managed all aspects of an internship program that matched 70 students per year in two-week internships at 25+ companies around NYC. Show less

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  North Star Academy Charter School of Newark

  Jun 2006 - Jun 2011

  North Star Academy is a Blue Ribbon award-winning public charter school focused on closing the opportunity gap for students from low-income families. In my first two years, I created and implemented a postsecondary success program. My role later expanded to include leading the college counseling and postsecondary support team of three full-time counselors. The postsecondary success program I created helped increase college graduation rates by 14% and alumni collegiate GPAs by 0.45. I also co-led multiple outdoor educational trips that included hiking, canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing and intercultural exchanges. Show less

  • Director of College Access and Success

    Jul 2008 - Jun 2011

  • College Alumni Liaison

    Jun 2006 - Jun 2008
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  United States Peace Corps

  Jul 2011 - Jul 2013

  Peace Corps Volunteer

  My wife and I joined the Peace Corps mid-career to contribute to the world in a different way and to expand our worldviews. We served one year in Cape Verde and then, after the program was shut down, one year in Benin. Some of my work included: teaching a high school girls’ leadership class; teaching a mathematical literacy course to youth excluded from school; teaching introductory English to middle school students; leading professional development workshops for teachers. In Cape Verde, I helped to implement a United Nations food security and nutrition pilot project to improve the nutritional value of school lunches. As an avid cook, I also spent time preparing meals with the school cooks. Show less

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  Marist College

  Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

  Director, Liberty Partnerships Program

  Marist College is a mid-sized private university in New York. At Marist I led a NY state grant-funded postsecondary access program that worked with 250+ middle school and high school students in two urban, public school districts -- in Kingston and Poughkeepsie, New York. I managed three full-time employees and 15 Marist College student workers in delivering academic support, mentoring, and college and career education.

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  Self-Employed

  May 2014 - now

  Educational Consultant and Independent College Counselor

  I work with students and families to provide low-stress, personalized, and expert college counseling. I work with students in the US and abroad. My focus is helping students and families to find the best path to higher education—one that fosters growth for the student as well as satisfaction for the family. My guidance is based on a student’s individual strengths, interests and future aspirations. I am an expert at finding affordable options in the US and abroad.

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  Achievement First

  Jun 2014 - Apr 2018

  Achievement First is a public charter school network of 20+ schools in NY, CT and RI focused on closing the opportunity gap for students from low-income families. Working as a district-level administrator, I led all aspects of the network’s postsecondary support team and program, accelerated university partnerships, managed summer program partnerships, and overhauled the district's 9-12 college and career readiness curriculum.

  • Director, College Access & Success

    Jun 2015 - Apr 2018

  • Associate Director of College Readiness

    Jun 2014 - Jun 2015
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  Wooster School

  Jul 2018 - Aug 2022

  Director of College Guidance

  Wooster School is a small, independent day school in Fairfield County, CT. As the Director of College Guidance I overhauled and systematized the college counseling process, creating and implementing a classroom-based college and career readiness curriculum. I worked closely with the student support team to help students, over 50% of whom had a learning plan, find a postsecondary option with the right level of support. I was the testing coordinator, ensuring that students with documented disabilities received the appropriate accommodations with the ETS and ACT. I was also the sponsor of the “Creek Stomping Club” (pretty much what it sounds like) and taught an Introduction to Backpacking course. Show less

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  Santa Cruz Cooperative School

  Jul 2022 - Jul 2024

  Director Of College Counseling

  SCCS is a small, private, international day school in Bolivia with an American curriculum. As the first person hired to exclusively focus on university counseling, I have implemented a college and career readiness program with strategic touch points for students and families in grades 6 - 10 as well as a robust, personalized program for students in grades 11 and 12. As a member of the school’s counseling department, I work closely with the social-emotional counselor to manage holistic student support. Show less

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  UWC East Africa

  Jul 2024 - now

  University Counselor