David Banks, a dynamic and straight talking educator, spoke at the second of five pre seminar sessions-The Education of Black Male Youth- at Wheelock College yesterday afternoon. Banks, who is headmaster of the all boys Eagle Academy in New York City, in an almost next step from last week's program, described the support his mother and father gave to him and his two younger brothers to make sure they could be successsful. He describes his mom as 5' and nothing, but a tremendously forceful person; and his dad, a retired New York City policeman, as both old school and new school. His old school was "follow the rules or else," but his new school was an explanation of why, Banks says he tries to follow their example in his work with his students holding kids to high expectations but making it clear why it's important.
Banks has an undergraduate degree from Rutgers and a law degree from St John's University, and started the Bronx School of Law, Government and Justice before opening Eagle Academy three years ago.
Banks says the reason students name Eagle as their first choice for high school, is because they know each student gets a mentor at the school.
David Banks will delve deeper into Eagle today at the all day Atlas Wheelock Seminar-Soaring with Eagle.