Nadia Lopez
Founding Principal | Transforming Underserved Schools
About
Nadia Lopez is the founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, a public middle school in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, New York. Under her visionary leadership, Mott Hall has become a beacon of hope, dramatically improving academic outcomes for students from marginalized communities.
Lopez's inspiring TED Talk, which has over 3 million views, chronicles her journey to create a nurturing, student-centered environment that empowers young people to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. Her keynotes offer practical strategies for educators, policymakers, and community leaders to replicate her success in building equitable, high-performing schools.
Talks1
Why open a school? To close a prison
Our kids are our future, and it's crucial they believe it themselves. That's why Nadia Lopez opened an academic oasis in Brownsville, Brooklyn, one of the most underserved and violent neighborhoods in New York -- because she believes in every child's brilliance and capabilities. In this short, energizing talk, the founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy (and a star of Humans of New York) shares how she helps her scholars envision a brighter future for themselves and their families.
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