ICS Student's Times Square Video Spotlights Inclusion & Personalized Learning

It was not an average September day for ICS Grade 7 student Ezra T., when watching on Facebook live, he saw his own face appear on one of the biggest screens in New York City’s Times Square.

The video broadcast kicked off the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) annual Buddy Walk, an event to celebrate the valuable contributions people with Down Syndrome bring to their communities.

Ezra said his mom encouraged him to submit his photo to be included in the celebration, through which he said he wanted to share the message that he is a hard-working student and loves photography. When he received notice his picture had been selected among the 2,500+ applications from around the world, he was thrilled.

“I was very happy. My family and friends were all excited for me,” Ezra said. “We waited for my turn to come on the screen, and when it finally appeared we all celebrated.”

Ezra is in his ninth school year at ICS. He enjoys learning – especially math, his favorite subject – as well as playing basketball with his friends. Ezra’s keen interest in photography is one he has worked hard to develop both at school and through specialized photography camps. He worked as a mentor alongside the professional photographer and videographer in the ICS Communications Department last year as part of his Personalized Learning Experience (PLEx) project.

During the mentorship, Ezra worked on fine-tuning his photography skills and techniques. He studied framing and storytelling while creating fine art, abstract, and portraiture pieces. Ezra also worked on assignment at ICS events.

Ezana Haileselassie is the ICS school videographer and has worked with Ezra on his visual media techniques over several years. While Ezana has seen Ezra’s photographic skills evolve immensely over time, it was the relationship the two have built that has had the most impact.

“Ezra was a fantastic member of our team, and we saw his incredible skills on display at last year’s Middle School PLEx Exhibition,” Ezana said. “Ezra learned a lot about photography while working with us, but he also taught our team a lot. He taught me that learning happens in different ways for different people, and I am grateful to have had the chance to learn from him over the years.”

Minilik Mekete is a support teacher at ICS who works directly with Ezra and his teachers to create personalized support structures aimed at ensuring accessibility resources and lessons Ezra needs to succeed.

“By personally tailoring learning experiences, we are able to provide students with the best possible opportunity to achieve their goals here at ICS, at university, and beyond,” Minilik said. “We aim to give each and every student the opportunity to achieve everything they are capable of. Ezra and his participation in the NDSS video are the perfect example of courage, a character included in the ICS Learner Profile.”

To learn more about our school's inclusive and innovative education programs and community, visit our Learn and Experience pages.