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Episode 015 – Big Picture Learning Interview with Dr. Andrew Frishman, Naseem Haamid and Terrence Freeman

Lynn Fuini-Hetten and Randy Ziegenfuss

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In this episode, we are speaking with Andrew Frishman, Co-Executive Director of Big Picture Learning, an organization that supports a network of schools rethinking an education system that inspires and awakens the possibilities of an engaged population of learners, from Pre-K through higher education. Joining Andrew are Naseem Haamid and Terrence Freeman, learners at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a Big Picture school in Bronx, NY.

Andrew joined “The Met” High School in Providence, RI, which is the original school in the Big Picture Learning network, in 2002 as an Advisor (what Teachers are called in BPL schools), working with a 9th grade advisory group through to their graduation from 12th grade in 2006. He then moved to CA to support the development of the Met Sacramento High School, worked with its first graduating class, and became the school’s first “Learning Through Interests and Internship Coordinator.” Andrew has assisted with the expansion of the Big Picture Network in a variety of capacities, including supporting the launch of innovative schools across the US and internationally. Along the way he has melded experiences from an MAT, an administrative credential focused on urban schools, and a Health Leadership Program, into a belief that student-centered education is a crucial determinant of both individual life outcomes as well as community well-being. He completed the Education Leadership Program (EdLD) at Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School and joined the leadership team of Big Picture Learning in 2013.

Starting in his sophomore year, Naseem Haamid completed internships at both JP Morgan and Madison Square Garden. In 2015, Naseem represented the Children’s Aid Society in Washington D.C. while advocating for funding for afterschool programming. Currently, Naseem is serving his second term as the Student Government President, and was the first junior to ever be elected president. He also works as a Lead Youth Organizer for Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice and is interning at New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera’s office. 

Terrence Freeman is an 11th grader attending Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School. Terrence was recently speaking on a panel at SXSWEdu about innovative education.  Terrence is currently an intern at the American Museum of Natural History where he guides visitors through museum exhibitions and facilitates educational lectures in the various halls. Terrence is currently enrolled at New York University as a college preview student in a Journalism and the First Amendment law class.  Terrence has a developing  passion for local politics, history and education policies.

As a result of this conversation, we are thinking about these questions:

  1. How can we as teachers/advisors/leaders get to know our students in order to build a foundation for personalized learning?
  2. What are the barriers to internship programs in our individual contexts and how can we begin to overcome them?

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