Different week. A different #GoodWorks nomination.
For the category of Education of At-Risk Youth, we are proud to share this nomination for Nick Pastwa.
Here is what his nominator, Jim Shellard, Ed.D., Principal of Abraxas Naperville Bridge School had to say:
I am pleased to nominate Nick Pastwa for recognition as an outstanding teacher of at-risk youth. Nick consistently demonstrates creativity, patience, and dedication in his work with students who benefit greatly from engaging, hands-on learning experiences. In the science classroom, Nick creates an environment that sparks curiosity. He incorporates live animals (such as a snake, tarantula, and geckos) into lessons, giving students the opportunity to interact with science in a meaningful way. For many students who struggle in traditional academic settings, these experiences build confidence, responsibility, and genuine interest in learning.
Nick also integrates art and technology into his teaching by guiding students in creating stop-motion animation projects. These activities allow students to express themselves creatively while developing important skills in storytelling, collaboration, and digital media. Beyond the classroom, Nick builds strong relationships with students through extracurricular involvement. He works with students in our CAAEL athletic program and participates in the CHILL snowboarding program, providing opportunities for students to experience teamwork, sportsmanship, and to build resilience. Nick’s ability to connect with students across academic, creative, and athletic settings makes a profound impact on the lives of the young people he serves. His dedication, innovation, and genuine care for students make him truly deserving of recognition as an exceptional educator of at-risk youth.
Congratulations, Nick.
How is your county addressing youth justice challenges?
Share your county’s story as part of NACo’s storytelling efforts and help highlight county-led solutions during National County Government Month.
Submit your stories here: https://t.co/9Q9EA1xgHS
The National Partnership for Juvenile Services (NPJS) is excited to host a 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦!
For additional information, please view the Student Art Contest Guidelines- https://t.co/awXziodAaX
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: All artwork should reflect the Symposium theme: “𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆”. Artwork will be judged on artistic design and alignment with the theme. Symposium attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece
Prizes: Gift Cards (to help cover the cost of a celebration, such as a pizza party) 1st Place – $100 Gift Card 2nd Place – $75 Gift Card 3rd Place – $50 Gift Card 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞:
All applications must be submitted by August 15, 2026 - Apply Now! Visit our website to learn more about the 2026 Symposium and the 2026 Leadership Institute - https://t.co/RnCGujGiva #studentartcontest #NPJS2026Symposium #CourageToChange
Thank you, Nicole McKenna, Ph.D., for sharing your research on trauma-informed care in juvenile detention facilities with our Short-Term Placement and Detention group.
Please check out Nicole's post on Linkedin -
https://t.co/bupOcs9mBX
It is not a crime to film law enforcement in this country. It is a crime for agents, with no good reason, to draw weapons and attempt to arrest a citizen. But this Justice Dept. Is t here to enforce the law.
50 years ago today, the Supreme Court made a decision in Buckley v. Valeo that spending money on elections is protected speech. And if money is speech, its “expression” in politics can not be limited. Without this reasoning, there would be no Citizens United. Today, we are living through the disastrous consequences of that decision — a political landscape where billionaires have the ear of the President and corruption runs rampant. These are not the characteristics of a true democracy. We must fight to ensure that every American has an equal voice in our government.
If you draw the names of 1 MILLION Americans randomly out of a hat…
the odds of **ONE** of them being mentioned in the Epstein files is:
~0.299%
But how many members of Trumps inner circle and admin appear in there?
37. (So far)
Breaking the Fourth Amendment
by @JoyceWhiteVance
https://t.co/DpTHs51B5D
"As the Supreme Court explained in Johnson v. U.S., in 1948: “The point of the Fourth Amendment, which often is not grasped by zealous officers, is not that it denies law enforcement the support of the usual inferences which reasonable men draw from evidence. Its protection consists in requiring that those inferences be drawn by a neutral and detached magistrate instead of being judged by the officer engaged in the often competitive enterprise of ferreting out crime.”"
TONIGHT: President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, @artisnstevens, sits down with Josh Johnson to discuss the power of mentorship @BBBSA
Must watch: ICE just admitted that despite claims of ‘targeted enforcement,’ in reality anyone who happens to be in the vicinity of a ‘target’ is fair game for interrogation.
It’s a dragnet terrorizing innocent Americans.
WSJ reporting agents have to meet arrest quotas, and they get a stat even if the person is ultimately released. Trump/Noem/Miller & others creating those rules are responsible for all of this. https://t.co/CoJFd8WVzW
Her father faced bribery charges. She donated $2.5 million to a pro-Trump Super PAC. Trump's Justice Department gave her father a lenient deal, overruling prosecutors. She gave another $1 million. Now Trump has pardoned her dad. @kenvogel@susannecraig https://t.co/UAwKC7NAbH
As with the original Desktop Guide for Good Practice in Juvenile Detention, our new Desktop Guide for Quality Practice for Working with Youth in Confinement (Desktop Guide) is a working document intended to enlighten, inform, and challenge the user.
Please learn more - https://t.co/DF9FIRxluy
@AVindman@SEPeaceMissions If this is true, and knowing the history of Kushner, it wouldn’t surprise anyone, this needs more media attention! Keep pushing it forward!