On May 15-17, Bank Street College alumni returned to campus for Alumni Weekend 2025, a celebration filled with recognition, reconnection, and reflection. The weekend brought together alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees for a variety of events designed to honor and strengthen Bank Street’s enduring legacy and community.
To kick off the weekend, the Bank Street College Alumni Association (BSCAA) hosted a ceremony on Thursday evening for its annual Alumni Awards, a tradition that recognizes outstanding alumni for their contributions and dedication to the field of education. Five awardees were honored at the ceremony, which brought together the winners, their families and friends, and Bank Street alumni, faculty, and staff to celebrate their accomplishments.
This year’s Recognition Award honorees were Dr. Karen Baptiste, GSE ’12, founder of the Preschool to Prison consultancy whose documentary has earned national attention; Kristen Kaelin, GSE ’10, fourth grade teacher at the Brooklyn New School (PS 146), consulting teacher for the Center for Responsive Schools, and Bank Street adjunct teacher; Lisa Galleano, GSE ’00 and ’22, assistant principal at NYC Public Schools District 2; Jacob Dixon, GSE ’10, founder and CEO of Choice for All and Bank Street adjunct teacher. A Distinguished Service Award went to Tarima Levine, GSE ’01, ’23, who has worked for 25 years across four Bank Street divisions and currently serves as managing director of content, design, and strategy at the Bank Education Center.
The next event was Friday’s School for Children (SFC) Young Alumni Reunions, which celebrated the college-bound Class of 2021 and the five-year anniversary of the Class of 2020, many of whom were returning to campus for the first time since their virtual graduation, giving them an in-person celebration to celebrate their accomplishments.
The evening continued with “Stories in Scribbles,” a family-friendly workshop led by author-illustrator and 2025 Writer-in-Residence Ruth Chan, who invited participants to explore memory and imagination through art.
On Saturday, the Graduate School Alumni of Color Reception honored the impact of Dr. Asya Johnson, GSE ’12, ’24, Dr. Elaine Ruiz-López, GSE ’84, and Dr. Anju J. Rupchandani, GSE ’14—trailblazers who are advancing equity in education through school leadership, mentorship, and community initiatives. The event included a panel discussion about “Leading with Purpose: Alumni of Color Shaping Education & Community.”
The weekend concluded with the School for Children Class Reunions (21+) gathering where alumni reconnected over hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and shared memories.
Shael Polakow-Suransky, GSE ’00, President, Bank Street College, reminded attendees of the College’s enduring mission. “We don’t intend to retreat from our values,” he said. “Together, we must create new spaces where children and educators can build meaningful relationships and engage the world with courage, curiosity, and compassion.”
Throughout the weekend, alumni embraced opportunities to reconnect with faculty, rediscover campus, and engage with Bank Street’s priorities.Together, they celebrated community, creativity, and critical thinking—values that remain at the heart of a Bank Street education.