Thank you for joining me in supporting the Louis August Jonas Foundation and Camp Rising Sun by contributing to my Alumni Weekend/Walk-Bike-Run fundraiser! As you may know, I am proud to serve on the board of this incredible organization.

This year marks the 29th anniversary of my first summer at CRS.  Every dollar I raise will support the 2024 Camp Rising Sun Programs and over 150 campers from 30+ countries as they expand their knowledge of compassionate leadership and put it into practice. To learn more about our organization, go to our website at lajf.org and check out our Instagram to see our mission in action!

Thank you for supporting me and this organization that is so close to my heart. 

Carl Vincent Manalo is currently the Deputy Superintendent of Bronx High School Districts 7, 9 and 12. Formerly Principal of Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn and Queens HS for Information, Research and Technology in Far Rockaway, Queens.  Before becoming a Principal, Carl was previously an Education Administrator for the NYCDOE working with 26 diverse public schools in the city.  With 20 years of experience in education, he is a proud product of the NYC Public School system.  Carl has an undergraduate degree in Human/Organizational Development and English at Vanderbilt University through the Posse Foundation scholarship and a Master’s degree in Education from Fordham University and attended College of St, Rose and Hunter College for his building and district leadership certification. Carl is passionate about educating students of underserved communities and at-risk youth, as well as building educator leadership capacity and coaching pedagogues in instructional practices that best serve diverse learners. Carl is the recipient of the Principal of the Year Award in 2022 from the High School Principals Association and the Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award with the Posse Foundation.

CARL'S CRS STORY

When people ask me why I entered the field of education and why I work specifically with high school youth, I do not hesitate to answer, I do not need to stop and think about it. The answer is obvious: Camp Rising Sun. Camp was the first place to ask me for and genuinely value my opinion. The questions I was asked to consider were meaningful, and I could tell that my voice was important because we, as a community, followed through with my ideas!  I remember feeling a glow. Someone appreciated my thoughts as a young person. Since then, I have grown to be a more confident person and leader. Genuinely listening to young people and providing them with a platform to use their voices and learn to self-advocate is key to my educational philosophy – especially in my work with underserved and marginalized communities.  From curriculum development to my leadership as teacher and principal, Camp has deeply shaped my practice. Now, as a Deputy Superintendent in the South Bronx, I push the thinking of principals, other school leaders and local politicians to consider providing opportunities and spaces to listen to the voices of our youth and empowering them with the skills to make a difference in our world.