Tandra Birkett was born and raised in the South Bronx of New York City. Growing up during the rise of the crack epidemic, Tandra saw first hand the violence of that era with the murder of two close friends and many others who were sent to prison. In an effort to understand the condition of the youth, at age 17 Tandra, wrote a paper for her government class entitled “Why Youth Commit Violent Crimes?”  It was then that her passion for youth and the community was sparked.

 

During her college career Tandra was faced with the challenge of becoming a single mother. However, she turned this obstacle into a motivation and was determined to beat the odds and smash the statistics about African American single mothers. As Tandra approached every hurdle life would bring she would say to herself, “I Am Not Going Out Like That!” With the support of her family Tandra graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Political Science (with a concentration in Speech Communication) and became a New York City High School History teacher at the age of 22. Her experience as a single mother broadened her passion to include the needs of single mothers. And as an educator she recognized that to save our children we must also address the needs of the family and the community.   In 2004, Tandra graduated from New York Theological Seminary with a Master's in Divinity with a concentration on At-Risk and Urban Ministry. For the past 30 years Tandra has used education to affect change for the youth and the community. She believes that “Education is the first form of Action!”  

 

Tandra Birkett is an Educational Activist,  new teacher developer, curriculum writer, workshop presenter and lecturer. Tandra believes that education is transformative and has the ability to help our communities to undo systematic racism, reduce poverty and create opportunities for advancement. As a teacher in the New York City Department of Education, Tandra worked to extend education beyond core academics as she has worked tirelessly to support youth in the South Bronx. She piloted the first Empowering Boys class in the NYC Department of Education sponsored by Scholastic Books Inc., focusing the history and literature curriculum on the needs of black and latino boys. Tandra was also selected to be a member of the NYC Dept of Education task force created to develop the Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative for young men. She also served as a Teen Outreach Pregnancy Prevention Program Coordinator and created the Infinite Queens Program at PULSE H.S. with the purpose of reducing conflict and suspensions for Black and Latino Girls. As a Lead Teacher, Tandra has provided professional development and mentorship in teacher training and new teacher development. Through the Conflict Resolution Program in the Bronx, Tandra is a certified New York State conflict resolution specialist. As part of this initiative, she created a mediation center in South Bronx High School, working to reduce gang and school violence. Because of this, Tandra received the NYC Dept. of Education Bronx Superintendent Leadership Award. In addition for 5 years Tandra served as the Life Skills Trainer for the Transition to Adulthood Program for WildCat Service Corporation, a Division of FedCap in the South Bronx. Tandra also co-wrote the high school curriculum for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity in the landmark case on equal funding for NYC Public Schools and served as a curriculum writer for the New York City Department of education, where she was adamant on including a culturally relevant curriculum to support students of color.

 

Tandra is a graduate of Ed. M. program at  Columbia University, Teachers College. In addition to her formal education, she attended Columbia University Business School Institute for Not-for-Profit Management and completed the Ventures in Education Systems Corporation Leadership Program and received certification in the Professional Development Program and the Public Foundation for Education Certification. Ms. Birkett is a NAYAC certified Youth Prison Chaplain.  

 

Tandra’s experience and passion for educational activism has given her the opportunity to be a national speaker on social justice in education. She was a presenter at the National Council for the Social Studies: National Annual Conference Austin, Texas,  Reimagining Education Summer Institute- Teaching and Learning in Diverse Schools at Columbia University,  Eagle Institute for Young Men of Color Professional Development Institute, New York City Department of Education Transfer School Conference, among many others.

 

Ms. Birkett has also created outreach programs to meet the needs of women and youth in the community: More than a Baby Mama: Single Mothers Conference, Fresh Christian Women’s Development Fellowship: conducted conferences, workshops and events to support women empowerment and Know Your Worth Tour: Series of social media events, conferences and workshop for women. Tandra also conducted monthly visits to Spofford and Horizon Juvenile Detention Centers in the Bronx to speak to the youth. She also created social media educational programming entitled Mental Health Monday. Tandra held roundtable discussions with experts teaching the community about social justice issues.

 

Tandra Birkett has been fortunate to receive awards for both community service and entrepreneurship: Volunteer Service Award from the Office of The President of The United States under the Obama Administration. The National Council of Negro Women, The Fashion 500, The Council of the City of New York, New York State Assembly, New York State Senate and “Women in the Black”. 

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Tandra has served her community as an educator, entrepreneur, workshop presenter, motivational speaker, organizer, friend, and mentor to young people.  Her role as an educator has grown beyond the youth to include fellow educators, parents, colleges, churches, prisons, and community organizations. 

 

As an Educational Activist, Tandra Birkett believes that “Education is the First Form of Action”