The Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering (K552) is excited to announce that English Language Arts teacher Peter Demopoulos has been chosen as a New York City winner of the prestigious Big Apple Awards Fellowship for the 2024-2025 school year.
“AUPE is thrilled to celebrate Mr. Demopoulos’s remarkable achievement,” said AUPE Principal Mr. Sandoval. “Having a Big Apple Awardee shows that AUPE is always empowering our teachers and students creating strong communities of learners.”
The Big Apple Awards, a highly esteemed annual recognition program in New York City, is a beacon that illuminates the path of exceptional educators who tirelessly empower and advocate for their students, while enriching their school communities. This year, we proudly announce that our very own Mr. Demopoulos has been chosen as a recipient, a testament to his outstanding dedication and impact. As part of this honor, Mr. Demopoulos will have the opportunity to participate in the Big Apple Fellowship and serve on the Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Group, further solidifying his influence in the education landscape.
Mr. Demopoulos’ exceptional impact on student learning, instructional practices, and contributions to the school community have been rightfully recognized through the Big Apple Awards. At AUPE, Mr. Demopoulos has fostered a collective classroom community where trust is the cornerstone, enabling students to feel comfortable taking intellectual and academic risks. His adept use of Socratic seminars has deepened relationships and laid the foundation for a solid, supportive school community. At AUPE, that first step is taken in classrooms like Mr. Demopoulos’, as an inherent collective of a group of identities, abilities, and interests that span the globe and each crevice of neurodiversity.
“It is a privilege to be surrounded by such intelligent and fearless-of-failure scholars and colleagues,” said Mr.Demopoulos. Without the mindset and motivation our school community brings, effective education and self-discovery would be impossible.”
At AUPE, a leading STEM high school serving students in Brooklyn and Queens, the school’s mission is to empower a community of diverse advocates, and the staff is committed to providing engaging, interactive, and fun learning experiences. AUPE faculty collaborates to center academic and socio-emotional instruction around students’ varied needs, employing differentiated scaffolding and support. The Brooklyn High School’s rigorous and culturally engaging curriculum and pedagogy encourage meaningful student collaboration, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Mr. Demopoulos’ recognition as a Big Apple Award recipient is a testament to the high-quality education and supportive community at The Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering. His dedication to fostering a trusting and inclusive classroom community perfectly aligns with AUPE’s commitment to providing a transformative educational experience. We are immensely proud of Mr. Demopoulos for this well-deserved honor, and we eagerly anticipate the continued positive impact of his exemplary teaching.
