![\"first](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/east-high-optics1.jpg\")
A former US Navy medic with training as an optician, Newman later graduated from college with a degree in biology and became a certified science teacher. In 2012, New York state awarded him a STEM grant to start developing the curriculum for East High\u2019s vision program. In 2014, he added his own New York state-certified optician\u2019s license so that the school could legally start dispensing glasses.<\/p>\n
The school\u2019s three-year vision care program trains high school students to graduate into jobs in the optical field, while helping a critically underserved community. This combination makes it the only such program in the country, says Newman.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an obvious win-win. In addition to acquiring job skills that allow them to apply directly for entry-level jobs as optical technicians, the students also collect college credits toward a degree in optics at Erie Community College in Williamsville, New York. Meanwhile, the program provides many Rochester children their only chance of getting much-needed eyeglasses. Newman estimates about 2,000 Rochester students have received glasses at East since 2014.<\/p>\n
Corporate sponsorship has played an important role: Rochester Optical, Jonas Paul Eyewear, Marchon, Eyewear by R.O.I., Safilo, and several other frame manufactures have donated hundreds of frames to the program. With the STEM grant in hand, East was able to buy optical machinery to support the vision care program, as well as a second pathway-to-career program, in precision optics, located directly across the hall.<\/p>\n
On a recent Wednesday morning, Newman divvies his second-year students into small groups and tasks each team with building four pairs of glasses from real prescriptions. He works closely with Yamaraitza Vega, a 2016 East High graduate, who is now employed by the program as full-time lab manager and oversees a scattering of third-year students serving as team leaders for today\u2019s hands-on production.<\/p>\n The students won\u2019t be just honing their technical competence during the exercise. They\u2019ll be developing softer skills as well.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you make glasses as part of a team, each individual has a role that matters,\u201d Newman tells the students. \u201cTrust is important. Each of you is interdependent on the other.\u201d<\/p>\n Most nod, but Willito Soto, a 10th grader, hesitates. \u201cWhat if something goes wrong?\u201d he worries aloud to his teacher. \u201cThen it\u2019s on me.\u201d Soto tells Newman a team member hasn\u2019t been listening to instructions. \u201cHelp her learn that she, too, has a responsibility,\u201d Newman insists.<\/p>\n As the students work, Newman talks about his plans for expanding the program. He wants to organize a job conference with managers in the optics field to ensure more of his students can find well-paying jobs. And he hopes that East\u2019s educational partnership with the University of Rochester will help him enlist the Medical Center\u2019s Flaum Eye Institute. His dream? To make a rotation at East High\u2019s vision care a fixed stop on every Flaum resident\u2019s training schedule.<\/p>\n \u201cWe simply need more doctors to volunteer their time,\u201d Newman says. \u201cIf a doctor can come here for several hours once or twice a year that would really make a difference in the life of a child.\u201d<\/p>\n At the end of the class, Newman sidles up once more to Soto. \u201cDid it work out?\u201d he asks. \u201cYeah,\u201d comes Soto\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m proud of you,\u201d Newman tells his student who lifts his hand to accept his teacher\u2019s high five.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/east-high-optics2.jpg\")