Description

Complimented the way an APD officer acted:

Dear Mayor,

I hope this correspondence finds you well. I am contacting you today to bring to your attention and City of Albany New York an unsung act of greatness ("the new definition")one of your City of Albany, N.Y., Police Officers recently imparted upon what is arguably the poorest of middle schools in the greater capitol region. He did not have to do this, clearly, as this required his traveling into Schenectady, New York. Notwithstanding, Officer Dudley went above and beyond the call duty as he took the ball and ran with it to obtain proper authority from his senior officers and police chief.

Background: Several years ago I started a leadership mentor initiative that is comprise of several tenets of leadership, and subsequent pillars of strength they embody. We have recently learned students whom have participated in the initiative have benefited with remarkable improvement in NY State test scores year over year, improved academics, and were three times more likely to come to school when compared to their peers within he same school district attending other schools presently not participating in the initiative. Both collectively and in part these are significant student improvements, all noteworthy.

However, equally notable is that which enables such transformational inspiration where and when it may matter the most, moreover, in the lives of underserved public school students, the poor, a population within our communities that may offer the greatest opportunity and potential for the Capitol Region to realize its potential. I will leave you with the unsolicited response from the school (FDR Elementary-Midddle School, Schenectady NY) principal, which sums up the significants of Officer Brandon Dudley's selfless efforts:

Date: Feb 12, 2016

To: John Matthew Douglas
Regarding: iPressForward, LLC Mentor, Officer Brandon Dudley

As the principal of FDR, I was so impressed with how welcoming these
officers were to the other children in my school who approached them
while they were waiting to speak with the 6th graders. Unfortunately, all
too often, our students' view of law enforcement is jaded. These two
gentlemen took the time to be positive with the children who spoke to them
and were so kind that the children walked away with smiles on their faces.

It's the little things we do that have a lasting impact.
Thank-you John Matthew Douglas for bringing this incredible program to
our school. Kathy Lupi and AmiJo Campbell raved about their experiences
with you and Press Forward and now I know why. We appreciate you and all of the mentors who take the time to share their
experiences with our students.

In appreciation,
Nora Cietek

iPressForward, LLC mentorship initiative was never about the founder, me. It has always been will forever be about the underserved public school students it serves and, as important the profound difference a collective sum of diverse and selfless career professionals may inspire, essentially standing in the gap. They are professionals like Officer Dudley. Accordingly, and befittingly, I humbly request on behalf of the students of FDR Elementary School and future students who will be served by this initiative that special citation be considered and ultimately architected and awarded to this unsung hero within our midst, Officer Brandon Dudley, as his was a job above and beyond the call of duty and unquestionably a job well done! Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Please let me know whether you have any questions.

My Very Best Always:

JohnMatthew Douglas
518-879-7793

PS

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