Kimberly Malone: “The courses I teach on spirituality lend themselves to personal reflection and examination of topics such as values, decision making, and beliefs. I am regularly inspired by the wisdom and depth the students have to offer. Inside the prison I’ve encountered students who have discovered the freedom, peace, and joy that so many of us are longing for, and it makes me wonder if those of us on the outside may actually be the ones who are captives to so many things.”
Classes Taught: Spiritual Formation, Spring 2018; Multicultural Perspectives and Models of Spiritual Development, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020
An article written by Kimberly:
I Teach Class in Prison. Should My Students’ Crimes Matter to Me? | The Marshall Project
Kevin Dean
BA Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, International Relations, Michigan State University, Master of Divinity, Yale Divinity School
Introduction to Sociology, Political Theory, Theology
“Rising Hope makes connections between people: between students who otherwise wouldn’t be in the same programs, between the instructors, and between the instructors and the students who we are blessed to get to know every week. My experience in the classroom is that it creates a space of vigorous intellectual exploration that also engages the whole person of the student, encouraging connections between academic inquiry and everyday experience. That’s the kind of education from which we all benefit.”
Rev. Dr. John Miller has a B.A. in Religious Studies from California State University, Hayward; received his M. Div. degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary; and his D. Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary. John has served as a pastor for forty years in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Teaching for Rising Hope at Sing Sing has been life changing for me. Serving as a teacher with the men has been powerful. While I have much to teach them, they too, with their life experiences have taught me much as well.
Brian Pew is an educator in the New York City Department of Education where he has held the roles of Special Education Teacher, Dean, and Assistant Principal. Additionally, Brian serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Leadership and Special Education at the City College of New York where he supports the training of aspiring teachers and school leaders. In pursuit of a PhD in Urban Education, Brian is a full time student at The Cuny Graduate Center where he is preparing to conduct doctoral research on the racism and marginalization that occurs in punitive disciplinary scenarios and restorative justice initiatives in New York City Schools. Brian has been a volunteer with Rising Hope at Sing Sing since 2010.
Rev. David Harkness Rev. David Harkness received a M. Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Yale Divinity School, and served as a pastor for forty years in the Presbyterian Church (USA). It has been a privilege to teach at Sing Sing. The students have been engaged and the discussions life-giving.
James Ulrich
BA History Honors, University of Rochester, Master of Theological Studies Harvard Divinity School.
History of Christianity, Parts 1 and 2; Ethics,Intro to Hebrew Bible, Intro to New Testaments, Theology, Co Teacher Intro to Sociology.
“Rising Hope has been the most important teaching assignment I’ve ever had. Mature people pursuing education together for the sake of self improvement create the best learning environment. The free learning space within prison is a unique experience.”
Mark Finn is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst. He received his PhD from Duke University and further training at George Washington and Cornell Medical College. He worked and taught in the public mental health system for many years. He is on the faculty of the Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.
Bonnie Rosborough: “In 2017, after forty-two years of pastoral ministry within the United Church of Christ, I retired professionally and was excited to join the Rising Hope faculty shortly thereafter. A graduate of the Hartford and Union Theological Seminar(ies) – D.Min. and M.Div. respectively – I have a special affection for teaching the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Studying the sacred texts with Rising Hope students at Fishkill Corrections brings them, and us, newly alive, week after week.”
Orlando Rodriguez: “I have been teaching Sociology of Religion since 2009 at different New York State correctional facilities. Early on in my teaching for Rising Hope, I realized that these classes were the most personally satisfying of my university teaching career. The students have an intense desire for learning which I have seldom encountered in my university teaching. I feel that our classes bring essential knowledge, critical thinking skills, and most important, an element of humanity in a harsh environment. Teaching for Rising Hope at Sing Sing has been life changing for me. Having served in churches since 1976, serving as a teacher with the men has been powerful. While I have much to teach them, they too, with their life experiences have taught me much as well. It is such a rewarding experience.”
Jean Tansey, LCSW: “The students are eager to learn and participate in class discussions. They are polite, engaged, relaxed and pleased to be in a classroom environment. My intention is to make the experience the equivalent to a typical college setting. As I am teaching basic counseling skills, the students pair up and practice active listening, it is a pleasure to look around the classroom and observe how seriously and thoroughly they become involved in the exercise. This has been quite enjoyable!”
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