Project Description
Eric Blake
Cahn Fellow 2019
Principal, Science, Technology and Research Early College High School at Erasmus
Brooklyn, New York
In June 2008, Dr. Eric L. Blake became the principal of Science, Technology and Research Early College School after serving in a yearlong Principal Residency with New Leaders for New Schools. Dr. Blake has over 23 years of leadership experience across a number of New York City’s urban schools. Dr. Blake assumed his role with a commitment to advance his mission and vision: to provide a rigorous yet supportive program to help low-income youth, first-generation college goers, English Language learners, students of color, and other young people underrepresented in higher education an opportunity to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and up to two years of transferable college credits from Brooklyn College, the school’s partner institution—tuition free.
As a leader of a highly complex organization, Dr. Blake has developed a deep understanding of the full range of strategic issues and the ability to build strong management teams that execute large and ambitious plans with verve and accountability. Dr. Blake facilitated strategic planning initiatives such as expanded opportunities for experiential learning, enhancing career development and mentoring opportunities for all faculty members at STAR, promoting faculty diversity.
A recognized leader, teacher, and scholar, Dr. Blake also teaches Advanced Placement English Literature to his high school students and other English courses in 17th and 18th century British literature and 19th century American literature to his undergraduate and graduates students at Brooklyn College and Long Island University.
As principal, Dr. Blake has championed academic excellence and encouraged innovation in scholarship and teaching. He has launched initiatives to build interdisciplinary strength around global challenges, expanded opportunities for experiential learning, and initiated new seed funding programs to support a cutting-edge architecture and construction electrical program.
Prior to becoming the principal of STAR, Dr. Blake served in a variety of other leadership roles within the Department of Education including as Assistant Principal of Supervision at East New York High School of Transit Technology from 2001 to 2007. During this time, Dr. Blake began his quest to further refine his ability to enhance the instructional core of a school, improve its culture and establish systems for continuous improvement and progress monitoring.
Dr. Blake is also an alumnus of the Future Superintendents Program with New York State via the LEAF program, and at some point would like to aspire to become a NYC DOE Superintendent who provides his community with the intellectual and educational leadership that will shape the discussions on issues of importance and ensure that all students acquire the skills needed to excel personally and professionally.
In sum, Dr. Blake’s personal and institutional success can be attributed to the advancement of core academic values and an unwavering determination to build a greater, wider and deeper culture of excellence that results in all students achieving outstanding educational outcomes.