Education

A young girl walked into a Madison public high school one Monday morning this spring. Her hair had been done professionally, her nails were polished and manicured. She was sporting a new, expensive outfit, and she spoke to her friends about the hotels she had stayed in that weekend.

The girl was also homeless.

This summer, Simpson Street Free Press is celebrating 25 years of efforts tackling Madison’s educational achievement gaps through its out-of-school literacy programs. Three assistant editors represented the organization at a Rotary Club of Madison South luncheon Monday, sharing SSFP’s plans for its 25th year.

Michael Dando knew at a young age that he wanted to be a teacher.   

But throughout his early education, he often found himself in trouble for being too loud and asking too many questions.  

“I loved learning; I didn’t like schooling. I liked questions; I didn’t like being told answers,” Dando said. “And that still informs my practice today.”

When his tenth grade teacher let him teach a class, he knew he had found his calling.

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