Before teaching mathematics in Ocean Hill-Brownsville's JHS 271, Charles S. Isaacs majored in math at L.I.U. Brooklyn and attended the University of Chicago Law School, both on full scholarships. He later earned an M.A. from the New School and a Ph.D. from The Union Institute. He chaired NYC's People Against Racism in Education for five years and was a community organizer for many more years. His recently published work includes poetry, four novels and the award-winning Inside Ocean Hill-Brownsville: A Teacher's Education.