John Werner '92, a founder and Executive Director of Citizen Schools has been named a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. He recently began his residency at Harvard for the 2008-2009 academic year.
According to the Harvard press release, the Loeb Fellowship is the only one of its kind in the nation. Founded in 1970, it provides a year of independent study at Harvard for outstanding mid-career professionals in fields related to the built and natural environment. Primarily the focus is on architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and urban designers. Professionals in related fields such as filmmaking, journalism, non-profit administration, the arts, and government service have also been Loeb Fellows.
Werner majored in government, minored in history and was an active member of the Hamilton community. During his time on the Hill he was an Admission's tour guide, volunteer for HAVOC, and a member of Hamilton's cross country, lacrosse and swimming and diving teams. In addition, he was an orientation leader, an editor for the Spectator and participated or organized many other campus programs.
After graduating from Hamilton, Werner worked as a school teacher in Boston Public Schools. In 1995, he co-founded Citizen Schools. A non-profit educational organization, Citizen Schools' mission is to educate children, strengthen communities, and restore the promise of education in America. Under Werner's leadership, Citizens Schools operates expanded learning and after school programs for middle-school students that complement their school day. They recruit hundreds of professionals and community members to become volunteer "citizen teachers", leading project-based "apprenticeships" for primarily low-income students of color.
Werner said, the program helps students develop self-confidence and a zest for learning by achieving mastery and creating products of value to the community. It supports students to develop the skills they need to succeed in school, thrive in college, and become leaders in their careers and communities. Architects are frequently recruited as teachers to work with students to image and re-image civic spaces.
Based in Boston, Citizen Schools has transformed under Werner's leadership from a concept to a thriving national organization with more than 350 employees, an annual budget of $20 million, and programs in seven states and 16 cities.
While at Harvard, Werner plans to study the future forms of civic engagement, the role of education in shaping neighborhoods, and the design of school buildings.
According to the Harvard press release, the Loeb Fellowship is the only one of its kind in the nation. Founded in 1970, it provides a year of independent study at Harvard for outstanding mid-career professionals in fields related to the built and natural environment. Primarily the focus is on architects, landscape architects, urban planners, and urban designers. Professionals in related fields such as filmmaking, journalism, non-profit administration, the arts, and government service have also been Loeb Fellows.
Werner majored in government, minored in history and was an active member of the Hamilton community. During his time on the Hill he was an Admission's tour guide, volunteer for HAVOC, and a member of Hamilton's cross country, lacrosse and swimming and diving teams. In addition, he was an orientation leader, an editor for the Spectator and participated or organized many other campus programs.
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| John Werner '92 organizes regular visits to Hamilton for students from Citizen Schools. More ... |
Werner said, the program helps students develop self-confidence and a zest for learning by achieving mastery and creating products of value to the community. It supports students to develop the skills they need to succeed in school, thrive in college, and become leaders in their careers and communities. Architects are frequently recruited as teachers to work with students to image and re-image civic spaces.
Based in Boston, Citizen Schools has transformed under Werner's leadership from a concept to a thriving national organization with more than 350 employees, an annual budget of $20 million, and programs in seven states and 16 cities.
While at Harvard, Werner plans to study the future forms of civic engagement, the role of education in shaping neighborhoods, and the design of school buildings.
