A Welcome Message from Upper School Dean of Students Abraham Henderson

Dear Upper School Families,

This has been an extraordinary summer for myself and my family, one full of celebrations, transitions, and pleasant surprises. As it is with any change, especially significant ones that involve career and family, there is that anxious excitement when one embarks on a new venture. This of course is no different. So rather than tell you about my summer, I would simply like to introduce myself to you and give you a glimpse of who I am.

My name is Abraham Bienvenido Henderson, and I am your new dean of students at Wheeler Upper School. I am excited to be here and am looking forward to meeting and working with you all; students, families, and staff. 

I am a first generation Afro-Latino born and raised here in the city of Providence. For more than 16 years I have worked in the educational and rehabilitative fields as an educator, counselor, and administrator. From serving in the Peace Corps as an HIV/AIDS awareness advocate, to being a part of the clinical team supporting youth diagnosed with physical and neurological disorders, to working in the juvenile and adult correctional system as an officer and nonviolence educator, I have always brought with me the Kingian Principles of creating the Beloved Community wherever I go.

For the past nine years I served as the dean of students at both the Paul Cuffee Upper School and at the UCAP School respectively. As a dean of students I have worked closely with principals and head of schools to revise policies and procedures with input from our stakeholders, including students, families and staff. In addition to my role as dean, I also had the privilege of serving as an adjunct lecturer at Brown University’s Graduate MAT Program, where I mentored future teachers around Restorative Practice Philosophy and approach.

Personally, I am a very proud father of two beautiful boys. One is entering middle school and the other is entering college this year. Baseball and basketball are year-round activities in our household. Besides living the papi life, I coach my youngest son’s baseball team and mentor youth in an afterschool Fitness Club program that emphasizes strength training and boxing techniques. My personal refuge, however, is in the creative process: painting and building/fixing things. Painting in particular is an oasis for me that I try to frequent as often as possible whenever I get the chance.  

In short, I’m looking forward to learning and working with you all in creating, cultivating, and protecting spaces where students’ voices are valued, nurtured, and heard in a safe and proactive way and where our children’s educational process transcends beyond formal education. As your new dean of students, I have great enthusiasm and respect for The Wheeler School’s mission of cultivating a space where students not only learn their powers and are answerable to their use, but do so in the spirit of the Beloved Community.  

I look forward to meeting you all in person!

Sincerely and respectfully yours,
Abraham Bienvenido Henderson