Anthony DelMundo/New York Daily News East River Academy Principal Tonya Threadgill stresses math and science to her students at the Rikers Island school. She’s called Rikers Island her second home for 20 years — but has never been locked up.
Tonya Threadgill, 50, of Wheatley Heights, L.I., is the principal of East River Academy — a little-known school that serves incarcerated students ages 16-21.
“It takes a really committed, devoted person to empathize and encourage them not to give up,” she said.
“I’m not happy we have 3,000 young people who are currently incarcerated. But I am happy to have the opportunity to expose them to a shift in thinking and love for learning.”
For turning prisoners into scholars, Threadgill has been nominated as a Daily News Hometown Hero in Education.
In January, Threadgill administered over 116 Regents exams to students behind bars, and hopes to administer about 120 in June.
“She’s been doing an outstanding job for a long time,” said Timothy Lisante, superintendent of alternative schools.
Threadgill created career education classes to motivate students to do well in subjects like math and science that will serve them well once they’re back on the outside.
She prioritizes enrollment in the school’s two popular culinary classes for students recommended by her teachers.
Anthony DelMundo/New York Daily News Principal Tonya Threadgill (center) visits one of the young adult classes at East River Academy on Rikers Island. Threadgill also loves to cook and adds a recipe of the week to her staff newsletters.
“It’s a way to stay in touch with my staff with something we all enjoy,” she said.
This summer the mother of four will work on new programming to help the students’ social and emotional needs. She’ll also be starting to roll out the school’s new course on financial entrepreneurship.
“I’ve devoted to my career to working with incarcerated youth,” Threadgill said. “Although it’s challenging, someone has to do the job.”
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