Tell us a little about yourself and your role in the community. What makes Manchester special to you?

MHT Proud Champion of the Month: Damond T. Ford

I moved to Manchester 10 years ago to serve with City Year NH at Parker-Varney Elementary school. I am currently the Associate Director of the NH GEAR UP Alliance through the NH College and University Council. What makes Manchester special to me, is the community’s ability to face adversity and be resilient. We see this as the community is facing down the Coronavirus pandemic. The people of Manchester have housed, fed and clothed neighbors who are in need, even when they have no space, little food, and barely clothes themselves.

How are you involved in Manchester Proud and why is this work important to you?

I’m involved with the Manchester Proud through its Partnership Network Work Group. We are charged with creating a partnership network directory that students and families can access. This work is important because our schools should be a central location in our communities that are safe and can provide resources to all of our families.

Fast forward five years: share with us your aspirations and vision for Manchester’s public schools.

In five years, Manchester Public schools are places that are havens for learning, creativity, inspiration, inclusivity, and collaboration. Our schools will be a place where families come to access community partner services and where the community knows they can reach our families and students. Manchester Public Schools are among the best in the Northeast and the crowning jewel of the City of Manchester.