Behind City Connects’ evidence-based approach to ensuring that every student has access to the personalized set of supports and enrichment opportunities they need to learn and thrive is a staff of dedicated and talented individuals. Some do research on this approach, and some work directly with schools to support local implementation.
Our City Connects network has close to 200 schools across five states and two countries. In each of these schools are local school social workers or school counselors who are City Connects Coordinators, supervised and supported by local Program Managers.
One of our most indispensable staff positions is our coaches, who work directly with Program Managers and staff in schools to support them, problem solve with them, and help to ensure that the City Connects practice is delivered with fidelity.
Two new coaches recently joined the team in Boston, bringing extensive experience as educators and administrators to supporting school and district staff. Kevin McCaffrey and Michael Munroe are the newest Managers of Student Support Coaching. Each of them joins City Connects with a deep set of skills and experiences in education.
McCaffrey worked for more than 18 years in the Boston Public Schools (BPS), spending much of that time as a teacher. At the Boston International Newcomers Academy, McCaffrey, first an English instructor, coached new teachers and paraprofessionals and developed and delivered professional development.
“I was drawn to City Connects because I saw it as an opportunity for me to impact young people beyond the four walls of the classroom,” said McCaffrey. “What I found most rewarding in my teaching years was what I was doing beyond or in addition to the school day.”
The work as a coach at City Connects will keep McCaffrey engaged with every level of the practice.
“On a day-to-day basis, [my work] could include anything from answering questions about how to engage with and gain the support of teachers or other educators at the school, how to communicate with families or community partners, how to find new community partners within a specific domain or across multiple domains or how to better leverage a relationship with an existing community partner, and much more,” McCaffrey said.
For McCaffrey, his work can help address challenges in schools by learning more about their community and how City Connects can leverage those strengths to give students more opportunities to learn and thrive.
“It’s been eye-opening and informative to see how very different education looks across the eastern part of [Massachusetts] and among different districts in this region. My hope is that I can help City Connects to bring even more equity,” McCaffrey said. “[This year, I’ll be] visiting every one of my schools multiple times to meet face-to-face with Coordinators, principals, and teachers, observing students and class culture and environment and doing a neighborhood landscape analysis as a way of getting to know my team on a deeper level.
“This also means talking to as many of my colleagues as possible as often as possible so that I can learn from their expertise. And finally, maintaining and making new connections in the community-partner realm. Having a broad array of community partners is the key to expansive student support and opportunity-building.”
Munroe also spent 15 years in BPS, beginning his career at the Donald McKay School, where he taught for nine years before serving as Assistant Principal and Director of Operations. Most recently, Munroe was principal at Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School in Lowell. Both have similar stories about what drew them to City Connects, how their work is going, and what overall progress they see forthcoming in 2025.
“The [City Connects] model aligns with my belief that every student has incredible potential and that it’s our responsibility as educators to create the environments that help them reach it,” Munroe says.
“That balance of intentionality and support has always guided my approach as a teacher and school leader. Positive experiences paired with opportunities for success, surrounded by constructive feedback and acknowledgment, are what it’s all about.”
Munroe said the work he’s doing has parallels to how City Connects evaluates students during the school year.
“I’m focused on building relationships and getting to know my schools and Coordinators—kind of like how our Coordinators work with teachers during the Whole-Class Review process,” said Munroe. “Taking the time to understand each school’s strengths, challenges, and contexts is key to figuring out how I can best support the Coordinators and schools. It’s about building meaningful partnerships and finding the best ways to support the great work that’s already happening in our schools.
“The technologies available to schools are evolving rapidly—becoming more advanced, efficient, and impactful—while the strengths, needs, and interests of students, along with the priorities of schools, are constantly shifting. With so many moving parts, it will be important to think about the systems and structures used for integrated student support—sustaining what works, rethinking what doesn’t, and refining strategies to ensure every student has the opportunities they need and deserve to thrive.”
Kevin and Mike bring important experience and perspectives that add to our staff’s diverse talents. We welcome them as they further City Connects’ mission to support the whole child and provide every student with the right support at the right time.
