In Candice Simon’s sixth grade class at Brooklyn Collaborative, a NYC Outward Bound Compass Rose School, 11- and 12-year-olds don’t just learn about the world — they step into it. They research global issues, negotiate solutions with classmates, and practice diplomacy in pursuit of human rights and equity.

Candice designs her units as a progression — from neighborhood to nation to world. It begins with Geography and Community Fieldwork, where students build mapping skills through a scavenger hunt across their school and surrounding community. 

From there, they move into Creative Cartography, imagining and designing their own fictional nations — complete with histories, cultures, values and resources.

By the time they reach the Human Rights unit, the stakes feel real. A field trip to the United Nations and in-class simulations of a UN assembly bring it all together, as students represent their nations, debate global challenges and work toward collective solutions. 

Candice is celebrating her 25th year in education, 19 of which have been dedicated to Brooklyn Collaborative.

“She is a remarkable educator,” said Scill Chan, principal of Brooklyn Collaborative. “She remains enmeshed in real world engagement, helping our youngest students become social scientists and civic activists. Every single one of her co-teachers this past decade have praised her ability to think about curriculum in terms of tiered access, engagement with multiple access points, and helping all students produce high quality work.”

And high-quality work doesn’t just happen. It requires the intentional construction of a learning environment where students’ identities are validated, where they feel supported by their peers, and they understand that they can try and fail safely.

“Academic success begins with belonging,” reaffirmed Candice.

This extends beyond the traditional classroom, as well. Candice is a co-founder and advisor of the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance + Black Lives Matter Collective (GSA+BLM), supporting students to engage in courageous conversations and better understand intersectionality and allyship.

She is a Crew Leader and regularly serves as a chaperone on Brooklyn Collaborative’s Crew Adventure trips to Sharpe Reservation with NYC Outward Bound Schools, encouraging students to stretch beyond their comfort zones.

“By centering student leadership and real-world action, I strive to help my students grow in empathy, critical thinking, and civic responsibility, preparing them to be lifelong learners and engaged citizens,” Candice said.