Meet the Mentor: Coach Francisco
Coach Nilda Francisco has been a staple at Washington Heights’ PS 173 since 2012.
Starting as a substitute for the team’s writing coach, Coach Francisco has truly embodied the role of a mentor in her time at ASNY and has consistently sought to bring the joy of writing to each and every one of her poet-athletes.
“Being a mentor is a very fulfilling role,” says Coach Francisco. “It means being able to touch lives in various ways.”
Director of Writing Programs Chris Lantigua has been a huge fan of Coach Francisco’s commitment to her young people, saying “I’ve recently had the pleasure to work with her more closely because of my new role and I got to see first-hand the level of dedication she puts into her work as a coach mentor for her poet-athletes.”
Under her leadership, PS 173 has a thriving poetry program, taking home some of the top trophies at every ASNY annual Poetry SLAM. While those wins are a wonderful way to recognize their season of hard work, the truly priceless moments for Coach Francisco happen behind the scenes.
“When I see the excitement and dedication to our group poem or project or when a parent has approached me to tell me how proud they are of their child’s commitment to making the world a better place,” says Coach Francisco. “Those moments remind me that the work is worth it.”
Lantigua remembers his favorite Poetry SLAM fondly: “Poetry SLAM 2017 when the PS 173 girls team won first place with their group poem ‘Kindness is Cooler’ was a great display of hard work and dedication from the poet-athletes and their amazing poetry coach, Ms. Francisco!”
This acrostic poem shares the importance of treating team members and members of the opposing team with kindness, compassion, and love. The most impactful part of that poem for Lantigua? “The poem also speaks truth to our ASNY motto of Fair Play and a strong team culture. Being kind is the cool thing to do.”
Kindness is at the core of Francisco’s poetry sessions, reminding her students “You fill your own bucket by filling someone else’s. I often remind students to be kind to themselves and to others, but most importantly, to be the very best version of themselves.”
