THE IDEALIST Vol. 3 Issue 1

Volume 3, Issue 1

CORPS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

DANI MOSES

PUTTING INCLUSION TO WORK LMSA PACKS THE HOUSE FOR HALLOWEEN OUR IMPACT IN THE ‘12-’13 ACADEMIC YEAR Dani Moses @danim_cyco I believe we are lucky to be healthy w/ beating hearts. It’s easy to lose site of just how beautiful that is. #makebetterhappen

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THE

IDEALIST TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPACT

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12

INSPIRE

Letter From the Editor

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18

The AT&T Team serving at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy shares some really creative and successful events

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Dear, Idealist

You ask; The Idealist answers

Sharing Best Practices

Great methods for getting your students back on track

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LMSA Community Events

Starfish Stories

Corps members from Columbus share their stories

Things Kids Say

A collection of funny comments from our students

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CY Starfish Health Stories Zone

Staying healthy during the holidays

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Mifflin Middle Partnership Kickoff

The MMS team brings family and school together for educational and fun evenings

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Last Year’s Numbers

Our Impact in the 2012-2013 Academic Year

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28 32 Exuding Inclusivity

Dani Moses, second year corps member on the CSX team at South High School seeks to unite everyone she engages.

Josh Johnson

Josh Johson, School Transformation Facilitator for the Diplomas Now Team at Mifflin High School discusses the importance of his unconditional open-door policy in a Q&A session

SPOTLIGHT

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THE

IDEALIST CREDITS

OUR MISSION The mission of The Idealist is to cultivate a culture of inspiration by showcasing the talents of our corps members and hilghlighting our service and impact within our community and our schools

OUR COMITTEE The idealists who bring this magazine to life

CONTACT US Send a letter to the editor, submit a Starfish Story, or share something your student said.Best letter recieved wins an Idealist mug!

City Year Columbus The Idealist 88 East Broad St. Suite 800 Columbus, OH 43215 theidealistcyco@gmail.com

Colophon Fonts Used: Avenir Next Bebas Nue Caecilla LT Garamond Swiss LT 721 Swiss 721 BT Programs Used: Adobe InDesign CC Adobe Photoshop CC

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Sarai Exil Managing Director Zandra Casto Editor-in-Chief Tamar Carr Executive Editor Mark Schmitter Senior Creative Editor Mirria Martin Senior Writer Kyle Bialko Writers Traci Blaylock Chris Blum Cora Henry Hope Hill Joseph Isaac Virginia Ivey Ben Jenkins Pierre Lucien Darcy McCarthy Takeshi Tawarada

PERSONAL PITW:

I’M THE PERSON WHO WEARS THE BOOTS AND THE JACKET AND SAYS “I WILL BE HERE FOR YOU. NO MATTER WHAT.”

CITYYEARCOLUMBUS.WORDPRESS

THE

IDEALIST LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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hen I first joined City Year in October of 2011, I was sent one of the first editions of THE IDEALIST. It was a small publication then, run by two corps members, that primarily focused on highlighting our service. Eighteen issues and two volumes later, THE IDEALIST has become part of our City Year Columbus culture. In these pages, corps members share best practices, highlight partnerships, and show our impact in our service schools. Although our site is proud of the service we do every day, it is our wish that corps members, staff, alumni, friends, sponsors, and parents around the world can participate and enjoy the THE IDEALIST by reading our articles, submitting their own service stories, and of course, by spreading the word. I encourage

you to reflect upon your own service as you read through the inspirational tales of our corps members. True to our value of inclusivity, we are all on this journey together. Our hope is that you will continue to journey with us for the years to come.

Yours in Service,

Todd Tuney Executive Director City Year Columbus

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RED JACKET BALL 2014 City Year Columbus Gala City Year Ripple Award Honoree

Saturday, April 5th, 2014 6:00pm to 9:00pm Bath & Body Works Headquarters Seven Limited Parkway, Reynoldsburg

Thank you to our 2014 Red Jacket Ball Sponsors Host Sponsor

Media Sponsor

THE

IDEALIST LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

INCLUSIVITY Inclusivity is one of the 10 values of City Year.

Inclusivity: We embrace differences as strengths that magnify our capacity to achieve shared goals.

Inclusivity is a beautiful thing. It’s not just celebration of diversity, but embracing those differences and seeing them as vital assets to our teams. But what does it look like? What does it actually mean to practice the value of inclusivity? Before City Year, I’d heard the word diversity many times in my studies at Ohio Wesleyan University. But this word, inclusivity, was a new concept; I had never really heard it used, much less found myself in a position to practice it. When I came to City Year and saw it was one of our values, I thought “this inclusivity idea can’t be too different from diversity.” However, I’ve learned that while they are connected, they remain two different things.

When I first think of diversity, I think of the basics: race, culture, sex. These differences make us uniquely our own self, but tie us together. When I think of inclusivity, I think of how I can use the individual strengths of each of my teammates; their background, their culture, and cultivate each of them to come together as one unified being.

This is no simple task.

Whenever you bring a diverse group of individuals together there will be disagreements over varying viewpoints, oftentimes leading to charged emotions. We’re human-- it happens. What is beautiful about inclusivity is things don’t just come to a stop with these differences.

With inclusivity, we’re challenged each day to work together as a team, come up with solutions together, and learn how to communicate our differences.

In my time at City Year, I have come to value inclusivity in my personal life as well as the professional. I will take what I have learned and aim to embody inclusivity for the years to come. Not every person values inclusivity.

Not all organizations value inclusivity. As City Year corps members, alumni, and staff, it is our duty not only to practice inclusivity on a daily basis, but to challenge those around us to do the same.

Yours in Service,

Zandra Casto Team Leader City Year Columbus

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THE

IDEALIST

THE

CHALLENGE OF INCLUSIVITY

Most of us have, at some point, felt excluded. It's not comfortable. It can make us question our own worth. I invite you to think back to a time when you were excluded from a certain group-- Remember how that felt?

Exclusion takes many forms, from bullying to racial segregation. To value exclusivity is to value having something better, and by extension, being better, than somebody else. The dual nature of exclusivity is that one thing an exclusive individual possesses (maybe a Mac, MENSA membership, or a knack for organization) is overvalued as an ultimate status marker, while other things that others possess are counted as inferior.

While it is good to value the accomplishments in our lives and the things that make us unique, we are often quick to forget the times that we've been victims of exclusivity. This comes from a basic human predisposition to value our own strengths and advantages above those of others. When embraced, this paradigm that, when embraced, becomes toxic to the ideas of team and community. The truth is that when we value our own qualities above those of others we create division between ourselves and the people who make it possible to catalyze positive change in the world. We do this because inclusivity is hard.

Our generation has talked a lot about celebrating diversity, but true inclusivity is more than that. To make a powerful, positive change in the world, we need to actively embrace the differences we see in others as strengths. Does that mean an end to criticism, that we should praise every behavior and action as strength no matter what? Absolutely not. It is vitally important for us each to surround ourselves with people who will hold us accountable to the standards we strive to meet. Valuing inclusivity is a call to temper our efforts with input from people who hold different perspectives. It is not enough to only be celebrators of diversity or bastions of a particular virtue. Instead, we must each hold ourselves and each other to high standards, always encouraging each other to bring our unique perspective to the table of collaboration. We will only see the fruit of diversity when we all work through our differences and cultivate the best in everyone.

This idea of inclusion makes certain demands of us.

First, we have to be honest with ourselves about what we overvalue and what we undervalue. It requires that we suspend our judgment of others no matter what our past experiences have been. We will have to own our ignorance and check our pride. Then, in humility, we will be required to hold ourselves and others to high standards.

When we speak, we should speak to be understood, and when we listen, we must listen to understand. We will not always agree with those who see the world differently, but we can find common goals and work toward them together.

Think of an issue you are passionate about. Is the work of inclusivity worth furthering that cause?

Ben Jenkins First Year Corps Member City Year Columbus

IMPACT The purpose of our service is to help students get on track. There are days when the difference we’re making isn’t easy for us to see. Students aren’t always appreciative of our presence, our passion that called us to a year of service isn’t always forefront in our minds, and sometimes the only thought in our heads seems to be: “this is hard...” (PITW, anyone?). But, even if it’s not clear to us every day, we ARE making a difference in our schools, in our communities, and in the lives of our students. The Impact section serves as a reminder to us all that we are making a difference every day, and that difference deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

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THE

IDEALIST IMPACT | DARCY MCCARTHY

Linden McKinley STEM Academy Collaborates with the Community

The AT&T team at Linden McKinley STEM Academy, or LMSA, is dedicated to making better happen both in the school and in the greater Linden community. So far this year, the LMSA team has had great success in collaborating with students, administrators, and community members through the various events City Year has hosted.

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he first week of October, City Year hosted a Diplomas Now tailgate event to kick off the start of the football season. Hosted in the gym prior to the first football game, City Year welcomed students and family members with a variety of games, food, and music. A popular DJ, City, from 107.5 played music and interacted with students between math-themed game stations where students could play to earn tickets for a tasty meal. As the first event of the school year, it was a wonderful way to establish strong connections and presence within LMSA and with the students.

City Year collaborated with the Parent Teacher Organization on October 10th to bring students, parents, and staff together for the PTO 80’s Family Dance Night. Corps member Takeshi Tawarada DJed as students danced, posed for photos, played basketball, and enjoyed pizza. The LMSA team welcomed the opportunity to make connections with parents and support this event, promoting parent involvement in the school.

The following day, students, teachers, and City Year enjoyed a Diplomas Now bowling trip to Gahanna Lanes. Students from 9th and 10th grade spent some quality time getting to know the adults at LMSA over friendly competition on the lanes and some tasty snacks from the snack bar. Teachers and staff also welcomed the opportunity to relax in this nonacademic setting and connect on a more personal level.

Top: Corps member Takeshi Tawarada watches as student Jashua Fralick DJs

The City Year trick or treat event on October 30th drew an astonishing crowd of 384 participants. Children from neighboring schools and the nearby community joined LMSA students in participating in trick or treating at candy stations and playing games supported

by Mosaic, through the Ohio Education Council, OSU’s Art of Living, and Alpha Phi Omega. Everyone enjoyed the fun, treats, and a couple of funky line dances.

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On November 6th, City Year supported LMSA’s Diplomas Now Community Resource Fair. Parents and community members gathered at LMSA for a healthy mix of fun and educational resources. A Men’s Corner provided dads with haircuts, resume building, and interview clothing. The fair included representatives from the Red Cross and other resources, while kids enjoyed City Year games and music.

LMSA is proud to have started a powerful trend of events that promote community involvement and family participation, partnering with a myriad of people and resources to help improve not only LMSA, but the Linden community as a whole. In the coming months the team at LMSA hopes to increase the impact of their events even more, reaching more students, parents, and community members, welcoming them to LMSA events, supporting a positive learning environment, for every individual and working toward impacting positive change for Linden.

Darcy McCarthy First Year Corps Member City Year Columbus

Left: Students work their way through a spiderweb maze.

Top & Middle: A student prepares to pin the tail on the cat.

Bottom: A student participates in a math game

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THE

IDEALIST IMPACT

| BEN JENKINS

MIFFLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL C

ity Year’s new partnership with Mifflin Middle School is off to a soaring start this year. The team at Mifflin Middle has been hard at work planning events to give students an entertaining and educational environment to engage with their teachers and family.

Mid-November saw the team host a math night with stations set up throughout the school that students and their families could work their way through, playing games and watching frog races, to earn enough tickets

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to treat themselves to a great dinner. The night ended with the raffling of multiple prizes including gift cards, and not only some frozen turkeys for the holidays, but a grand prize, fully prepared Thanksgiving dinner for the winning family. Parent Coordinator Ms. Decker remarked, “I haven’t seen this many parents in the building during the time I’ve been involved here.”

For early December, the team at Mifflin Middle hosted an English and Language

Arts event with a focus on the literature of different cultures. The “Around the World” event hosted stations featuring the art of Australia, Haiku poetry of Japan, and a Shakespeare workshop where students were given roles to act out a short work by the famous playwright. Students ended the night by taking turns swinging at a piñata ending in a frenzy of candy grabbing and excitement.

Ben Jenkins First Year Corps Member City Year Columbus

Left Page Photos: Top: Corps members from Mifflin High play a math game with a Mifflin Middle School Student Bottom Left: Corps Member Sarah Lyle high fives a student after completing a game Bottom Right: Mifflin Middle School Principal, Dr. Woods, draws names for the raffle Right Page Photos: Top: Corps member Traci Blaylock helps students identify the different Hawaiian Islands Bottom Left: Corps Member Sophia Antoun guides students and their families through the rules of Haiku Poetry Bottom Right: A Mifflin Middle School student gets the final hit on the piñata to realease the candy within

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THE

IDEALIST IMPACT

| SARAI EXIL

Percentage of students moving to the tenth grade On Track and On Time from Mifflin High School

Percentage of students moving to the tenth grade On Track and On Time from South Urban Academy High School

Percentage of students moving to the tenth grade On Track and On Time from LindenMcKinley STEM Academy

79% 93% 68% City Year Columbus

2012-2013 School Impact Results

The following results highlight the success achieved through this collaboration at our service schools, showing significant decreases in the number of students struggling with the early warning indicators: poor attendance, poor behavior and course failure.

48%

of students reached 90% attendance or higher

Goal: 50%

68%

of students had zero suspensions

59%

of students passed Math with an A, B, or C

Goal: 50% ELA

Highlight: Mifflin High School increased their on-track students from 69% to 81% from Q1 to Q4.

Goal: 50%

Goal: 50% Math

Highlight: By the end of the year, 26% of off-track students were recovered at all schools.

Behavior

Highlight: South High School moved 57% of off-track students on-track

by Q4.

Attendance

Highlight: LindenMcKinley STEM Academy increased attendance from 42% to 61% from Q1 to Q4.

68%

of students pased ELA with an A, B, or C

Goal: 50% of our students reach 90% attendance or higher

Goal: 50% of our students have zero suspensions

Goal: 50% of our students have a passing grade of A, B, or C

Goal: 50% of our students have a passing grade of A, B, or C

All Data evaluated by John Hopkins University. Represented numbers in attendance, behavior, and coursework are an aggregate percentage of all three schools.

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INSPIRE INSPIRE: verb; to provoke a particular feeling in someone; to cause creative activity.

The Idealist strives to inspire Corps Members this month with various articles, including Starfish Stories showcasing Corps Members’ successes with students; a section highlighting one Corps Member who especially demonstrates and upholds one of City Year’s ten core values; Dear Idealist answers all questions from the Corps; sharing the best practices in each area of our service; and a Health Zone offering numerous tips on staying healthy throughout our year of service.

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THE

IDEALIST INSPIRE

| VIRGINIA IVEY

Dear Idealist, I love what I do with City Year and how I am helping my students, but I am financially strained this year. I mean, I literally have to plan dollar for dollar. I’m not interested in getting a second job because I am so exhausted after service during the week.

What are some creative ways that I can make some additional money?

Signed,

Broke

Dear Broke,

1

Craigslist – Look around your home for possessions that you no longer want, need, or use. Put a price tag on them and list them for sale online.

Check the couch – The last time I checked, pennies were still a form of currency. Loose change is all around us. Don’t feel ashamed to pick those pennies up from under the cushions or on the ground.

100 pennies add up to $1!

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Money is a major issue, but you’re already on the right track if you are planning dollar for dollar and have a set budget in place. That is definitely the most important thing that you’ll need during your service year. Here are a few suggestions to get out there to make that ‘paper’ without putting in too much additional work. I’m not saying that you go up a few tax brackets in the coming months, but hey, you never know!

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Take it back – Return your past purchases. No ketchup stained t-shirts; items with tags and a receipt, honey!

You can use that cash or store credit towards something else that you need.

Tag your talents – Handcrafted jewelry, photography, make-up, music lessons, baking, the list goes on! Take something you know or do well at and put a price on it. Promote your talents through social media and word of mouth.

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Let me know if this helps, and good luck on your quest to millions!

Dear Idealist, I have no clue what I want to do after my service year. I’m stuck between staying with City Year and going to graduate school for nursing. Both options are scary because I am not too sure how difficult each one would be and as for graduate school…well, I am not trying to accrue more educational debt.

What should I do?

Signed,

Confused

Dear Confused, Your name should be Fork in the Road instead. You have a better grip on your future than you may think. I’ve thought of a few things that you can do to find an option that best suits you.

Gather information – Research the graduate schools and programs that you’re interested in. Also make a list of problems, concerns, costs and weaknesses.

Don’t rush – Decisions take time to make. Explore all of your options and consider the information that you have gathered to make the best decision for you.

Network – Look for people in the profession that you’re interested in pursuing (Alumni Buddies, LinkedIn, and what’s that other one called? Oh yeah – CITY YEAR). This will allow you to ask questions that you may not be able to find the answers to in your research, plus they can share their own personal experiences. This can also be a great opportunity to do some shadowing and gain a reference or recommendation for whatever it is that you choose.

The “F” word – There are three “F” words that I love: family, food, and FREE! There are so many sources for money to pursue and continue education. Grants, scholarships, partnerships between City Year and graduate programs, the list goes on. This, again, will require a bit of footwork and research, but start with the CY partnerships and then the school or graduate program that you’re interested in.

Trust yourself – You have a great understanding of one of

DEAR

IDEALIST 18 l cityyear.org l December 2013

your values, which is service to others. Don’t get so caught up in your emotions that you go astray. Take a deep breath, gather the information, and go from there. You’ve got this!

I really hope this helps. I think you’ll be fine, no matter what avenue or direction you go towards.

Dearest Idealist, I truly love what I’m doing, I promise. We’re making a real difference in the lives of our children and it’s apparent every day. However, the exhaustion is starting to get to me. When I come home, I’m so tired I go straight to sleep and don’t make any me time. Do you have any tips on how to finish the day still energized to focus on myself when I get home?

Signed,

Overworked and

Under-rested in

Columbus

Hey Idealist,

I hate routine! I really hate routine when it pertains to food. Sadly, my limited food budget does not allow me to explore my food options, especially for lunch. I can’t eat another sandwich for lunch! How can I make a budget friendly and mixed-up lunch that will make lunch something to look forward to?

Signed,

Missing the Spice

in Life

Dear Over and Under, It’s great that you realize the impact and the difference that you are making with our students. In order to serve effectively, we must be able to keep a balance of service and our personal lives. Here are a few tips to use so that you can spoil yourself (or at least psych yourself into believing).

Exercise – Now nothing too

strenuous. You don’t have to break a sweat during your service day. This can be as simple as marching in place for a minute or two. Standing up throughout the day will also help.

Mini Breaks – Take a small

Honor your limits! – It’s okay

break every hour. Whether it’s to the restroom, or just out into the hallway for a drink or a brief walk, take it!

to say no every once in a while. Set a time for how long you’ll work on what, and when that time is up, get up and walk away from it.

Silly Support – Be sure to

keep in touch with friends, family, and team members who are silly and fun. You need support during your service year, and they will more than likely be willing to keep in touch with you to make you smile and see that you’re doing well.

Cheers to the freakin’ weekend! – Reward yourself

for making it through the service week. Take a day, go out on a date with yourself, and just relax. You deserve it!

I hope this works for you, or at least gets your mind thinking about ways to keep your energy up!

Hey Missing the Spice in Life With our long days of service, time needs to be budgeted right along with funds when it comes to preparing meals. Here are a few suggestions and ways for you to get started to put the spice back in your life.

Plan and budget – Take time to plan your meals for the week ahead. This is not only healthy for you, but also to your wallet. Create a weekly or bi-weekly budget for the meals that you have planned.

Make sure that you include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks in your plan. Double check in the fridge and cabinets to make sure that you aren’t buying things that you already have.

Longevity is the key – Brainstorm meals that you can make that don’t take much effort and don’t call for many ingredients. A crockpot of chili or soup is easy, and you can always pair it up with crackers, fruit, or another snack.

Transformation – Last night’s dinner is always better the next day for lunch. Those spices and ingredients always come together to be greater the next day. Besides, you can’t afford to throw away any leftovers on that budget, so make every ingredient count.

Cook in bulk – On the weekends, throw everything into a big pot for chili, soup, rice and beans and then freeze it all into individual portions. Throw a bag of nuts or a hard-boiled egg into your brown bag for some extra protein.

This weekend, take inventory of what you have and start looking for ways to bring that spice back.

PITW #18 says, “Think outside the box.” Go beyond that sloppy sandwich and pack something that will keep you energized and will get you through your service day.

Submit your anonymous questions to theidealistcyco@gmail.com.

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THE

IDEALIST INSPIRE

| BEN JENKINS

STARFISH STORIES I want to live in a world where we all seek to understand and accept the things we don’t like about other people. Where our differences are valued, rather than condemned. Where you don’t have to believe in the truths that others hold to love them with an open heart and mind.

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ith this as my ultimate goal, I tend to create a bubble. I surround myself with people with these same values of acceptance, inclusion, and diversity, a group so different in our life experiences but the same at our core. And it is beautiful to have this bubble, but it is also very dangerous. It lets me forget that this isn’t the reality we serve in.

I didn’t have this starfish in class last year, but I still knew their name. It was constantly on the lips of administration, the student in trouble for everything from fighting to skipping to sexual harassment.

At the time, the starfish had long, long hair and a quiet, mousy personality. Although the latter was not something to rely on, as she also had the tendency to get into screaming matches and come out swinging.

Her peers found her strange, the staff passed her around whenever an issue arose, and her corps members struggled to motivate her.

My background in gender studies gave me my own suspicions about this student. The mood swings, the masculine clothing, the shyness paired with violent outbursts, the lack of confidence or consistent friends, and the often-talked-about alternating usage of the gendered bathrooms left students upset and confused and administration unsure of how to approach her.

Since no one else really seemed to be on her side, I made it my job to be. I greeted her at every opportunity. I pulled her out of intervention period, even though she wasn’t my student, and worked with her. I set her up with other misfit students to work.

We talked constantly; I gave her a space to be herself.

We never spoke about gender, but the implicit support and trust between us grew quickly.

Enter this year, and her name was on my roster. I was

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pleased, knowing our relationship could continue to grow.

The first day of school, as the starfish came off of the bus, two things were immediately noticeable.

Gone was the much of the long hair, and the chin, usually tucked to the chest, stood parallel to the ground. I cheered louder as they walked by.

Throughout the day, the changes kept coming.

And all were beautiful and positive. A hand in the air to answer a question. Volunteering to read aloud, despite the lack of fluency. A smile.

Making a friend. Head off the desk. Homework in the folder the next day. Walking away from an instigating student.

A new name. Introducing himself with male pronouns.

He has been doing so much better this year.

He has more confidence, actual friends, his attendance is up, his behavior has improved, and he participates in class.

There has been, of course, pushback from other students and teachers. I try to approach these situations as teachable moments, and use the preferred name and pronouns without making a scene, showing students how easy inclusion can be. The incredible strides this starfish has made is truly life changing, and I like to believe that my support helped get him there. Obviously he has a long road ahead of him to catch up on school work, and struggles will follow him, but he is in a far better place to succeed now than he was a year ago.

This is why our organization values inclusion.

This is the reason. The change that we can see in a student through our support is so powerful. I recognize that LGBT issues are uncomfortable for many of us, and I cannot seek to force that change. What I can ask, what I do ask, is that we remember the importance of a single supportive voice.

Mirria Martin Second Year Corps Member City Year Columbus

I

see one of my most challenging focus list students in the 10th grade hallway from time to time. I say, “Hello,� and tell him of all the wonderful things Miss Dani tells me about him.

Though I only planted a seed last year, without seeing much of any progress, I am able to view from the balcony the sprouting sapling that he has become!

I see him often during morning greeting. One would never be able to guess that attendance was a HUGE issue last year. I see him with a folder and pencil in one hand as he shuffles to class, before, even bringing a pencil was challenging. Honored, I watch my student, out of my hands, succeeding.

Rachel Beebe Team Leader City Year Columbus

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THE

IDEALIST INSPIRE

| TRACI BLAYLOCK

A few of our favorite strategies

JUAN City Year!

What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.

-George Bernard Shaw

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ur goal as corps members expands beyond enhancing our students’ literacy and math skills; it also encompasses the innate ability to motivate our students to own their education. Motivating our students entails a diligent approach that requires relationship building across the spectrum. This practice is best demonstrated by our very own Diplomas Now Team Leader serving at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, Juan Mosquera.

“Every Friday we have “skinny days,” where instead of 90 minute blocks with either their “A” classes or “B” classes, students go to every class for 45 minutes. I was able to work with our Math teacher to have one 45 minute period to do enrichment activities for the students that included team builders, mindfulness practices, and bringing in speakers to motivate students and expand their awareness.

The best practice is this: My class is very hard to motivate to participate, so I reserved the gym space for the last 20 minutes of class and told the students that if they could sincerely give 100% of their attention to our activity for the first 20 minutes, they would be able to go to the gym for the remainder of the block. This turned out to be very successful and, because the students were so engaged, many of them got a lot out of it. They were then also able to have a lot of fun and bond as a class in the gym for the last 20 minutes.”

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Queen of Kings!

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

-John Wooden

O

ur role as City Year mentors and tutors is to provide the skills for our students to be successful inside the classroom, but there is always an opportunity to provide a lesson that extends outside of the classroom. Fellow Corps Member Kinsey Kistler has shared a very important Learn-UP moment she had with her student.

“I have a male student who, at the beginning of the school year, showed difficulty interacting with the female students. When I approached the student with my concern, he replied, “I’m a king and they (female students) should treat me like one.” I then explained what it means to be a king, and how a king is truly defined by a queen.

Concerned that this explanation was not enough to deter his actions, I motioned that this year I will refer to him as a king only if he took on the responsibility of treating all females he encounters with a level of respect deserving of a “Queen”.

So far this student has followed through and his encounters with female students have drastically improved.”

All Around The World “We spend the first twelve months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next twelve years telling them to sit down.”

— Phyllis Diller

A

n engaged student is a learning student, and the Team Leader at Mifflin High School, Tamar Carr, has found a fun new way to demonstrate this tactic, providing an untraditional way to strengthen not only fact fluency, but classroom participation as well.

“I have begun to play this game in class with my students. All students are seated at their desks while one student stands. This standing student will go around to each student, and the teacher will ask a fact fluency question to the student. If the student gets the question right, he will move on to the next student and answer another question. However, if the student gets it wrong, then he must sit in the seat of the student he stood next to and then that student will then stand and answer math questions.

The person who travels the furthest wins!

This game will help students to improve their fact fluency so that when they are completing assignments or homework they will be able to do so in an efficient manner. You could even add a level of difficulty by giving them a certain amount of time to answer the questions. This will definitely improve fact fluency due to the degree of pressure.”

Numbers on the Hill!

M

ath, for most, is an uphill battle than some can only hope to overcome. Fortunately for the students in the Diplomas Now program at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, Hope comes in City Year attire. Fellow corps member Hope Hill has discovered two brief lesson plans that have proven beneficial to student growth with mathematical fluency.

“I use a five-minute multiplication frenzy as my warm up every time I pull out with a student. It takes your traditional multiplication tables and mixes them all up so students have to really think about what number goes in what box. I use a sheet with four of them so I can get a baseline, but also monitor their progress as the weeks progress. They are different from week to week so students can’t just copy and paste their answers. It’s a great way to practice fact fluency.

Something else I discovered is a way to expand on traditional flash cards. Find them at a dollar store or make them yourself, and instead of just asking a student to tell you the answer, make it so they have to complete the fact family to get a point or a sticker.

5 minute multiplying frenzy (A)

Example: 7 x 3 Just saying or writing 21, is incorrect. They have to write or say, 7 x 3 = 21 or 3 x 7 = 21, 21 / 7 = 3 or 21 /3 = 7 Once they’ve completed the fact family correctly they get to move on to the next card.”

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December 2013 cityyear.org 23

THINGS students say One of the great joys of working with students is never knowing what they’ll say next. Sometimes students surprise you with their abrupt, imaginative takes on lessons, the school, and life in general. We’ve collected a few things our students say and hope you’ll find them just as funny.

STUDENT 1: "She just licked her fingers and put them towards me." Student 2: "I was just trying

to give her some DNA."

TEACHER: "Are these slopes parallel or perpendicular?" Student 2 again: "Parallel because parallel

and perpendicular is cousins."

-submitted by Mercedes Benford

"I got that spray to ward off all of the City Years."

-submitted by Tamar Carr

I have a student that was working on a diagram for math & he was feeling very successful and he said. "I am a 'mathtist'" in a French accent. (Like artist, but with math). It was adorable.

-submitted by Rachel Bebee

"Cats do too much. If you rub them too much, they be purrin’ on you. I don’t like cats."

-Submitted by Darcy McCarthy

Drawings submitted by Mirria Martin

If you have any hilarious student quotes or comics of your own, this is your opportunity to share! Send your funny/wacky/ cute quotes or comics to THE IDEALIST at theidealistcyco@gmail.com and you might see your submission in the next issue of The Idealist.

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December 2013 cityyear.org 25

THE

IDEALIST INSPIRE Tips for staying in good health during your service year

COOKIES ARE COMING TO TOWN

T

he holidays are fast approaching, meaning many of us will soon be on our way home for break. It seems that holidays and food go handin-hand. If your household is anything like mine there will be lots of baking going on, and eventually every nook and cranny in the fridge will be full of sweet, sugary delights. Strike that. Every nook and cranny in the fridge will be full of temptation. So how can we come back in January and make sure we can still breath in our khakis?

First off, it’s important to remember that deprivation will only lead to a Cookie Monster-esque breakdown at some point, so make sure you enjoy a little bit.

It’s important to remember though that moderation is key. You’ve heard that a million times, but let’s try to make sense of it.

The first bite of that cookie is always fantastic. Your pupils dilate. Your knees go weak. You wonder where this love has been your whole life. What’s the last bite like, though? Not as memorable. No one has ever eaten an entire batch of cookies and said, “I feel great, and that was totally worth it. I don’t feel guilty at all.” Having one or two cookies, however, means you quite literally get to eat your cake and enjoy it, too.

Ok, so we’re understanding that having one or two cookies is really the beautiful balance of enjoyment and health-. That doesn’t really help when there’s a huge spread of desserts in front of us, right? It’s important to plan ahead. Know what you want, grab it, then get out of there! My eyes are always more powerful than my brain, and even if I know I’m going to regreat that fifth cookie, I’ll have three more. Don’t allow yourself the chance to graze.

Lastly, over break you may find yourself with more time than you know what to do with. Use some of that time to do some simple cardio each day. Not only will it make you feel great, it will help combat those holiday pounds that we all have to resolve to lose come new year.

STAYING HYDRATED! Staying hydrated through your day of service is key to warding off headaches, tiredness and overall grumpiness that ensues when you're not drinking enough H20. I have a 32 oz water bottle and I try to drink at least two of those a day. Some of you may be saying, I hate water, it doesn't taste like anything. And you're right it doesn't so make it interesting! Add some lemon or limes in the AM for some extra zest. You can do this with any fruits!

HEALTHY PUMPKIN COOKIES • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree • 1 large egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose) • 1 and 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1/2 cup dried cranberries Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl whisk together pumpkin, egg, and vanilla until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices, chocolate chips, and dried cranberries. Fold together the wet and dry ingredients until just combined - do not overmix. The cookie dough will be very thick. Taste the dough and add a pinch of salt if needed.

Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets and slightly flatten to the shape you want your cookie. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for at least 3 minutes and transfer to a wire rack. Cookies stay fresh at room temperature for 3 days in an airtight container. http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/10/24/healthypumpkin-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/

How do you stay healthy during your service year? Do you have any favorite exercises or recipes? Email theidealistcyco@gmail.com your submission

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SPOTLIGHT Here at The Idealist, we use our Spotlight section to showcase our unique and individual personalities. Yes, we are here for service, and we serve everyday to fight the dropout crisis - but each of us has our own unique story: where we come from, why we serve, what issues we’re passionate about. We’re all different, and we all bring something different to the table. So in this section, expect to see a little bit about who we are, not just as Corps Members, but as individuals, and hopefully you’ll begin to understand, as we do, just how impressive our Corps really is.

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December 2013 cityyear.org 27

THE

IDEALIST SPOTLIGHT

| PIERRE LUCIEN

DANIELLE ‘DANI’ MOSES

COLUMBUS SECOND-YEAR CORPS MEMBER SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

I

t would be difficult to convince corps members at City Year Columbus that there exists someone that embodies the value of inclusivity more than South High School’s second year corps member, Danielle Moses. Danielle, affectionately known as Dani, is truly a steward of the value, exhibiting and exemplifying it on micro and macro levels. Her inclusivity has impacted individual corps members, the students she serves, and South High School as a whole.

According to Dani, inclusivity is defined as “fostering an awareness and creating policies that include people who may otherwise be excluded or marginalized.”

Throughout her service, Dani’s actions towards others have been and continue to be a manifestation of these words; undeniably epitomizing inclusivity.

Columbus corps members hail from many different cities across the state and the country. As a result, corps members are at times hundreds of miles away from their families and friends. The distance often renders home-cooked meals and family dinner 28 l cityyear.org l December 2013

conversations to be rarities limited to holidays or long breaks. In response, Dani, who is a native of Columbus, invites three to four corps members (as well as their significant others) to her parents’ home every month as her family observes Shabbat. As part of this, corps members and their partners get to feast on a home-cooked meal and partake in a rejuvenating family dinner conversation, during which Dani’s parents provide encouragement and inspiration. In addition to getting recharged, corps members leave Shabbat at Dani’s feeling like they are a part of the family. “I truly believe that if we can become more sensitive and attuned with the needs of others on an individual level, we can cause a paradigm shift of society at large,” Dani explains. By opening her home and sharing her family with corps members in response to their distance from their loved ones, Dani exhibits exemplary inclusivity.

Dani’s most conspicuous act of inclusivity outside of mentoring and tutoring has been the implementation

Dani works with a group of students on multiplication involving decimals and fractions.

of the Harmony Project at South High School. If one were to define the value of inclusivity as embracing differences, making others feel valued, and empowering the marginalized, the Harmony Project at South High School would be an archetype of said value. The Harmony project is a non-profit art organization that gathers a diverse inviting people into your group of 200 people reality in a small, positive from Columbus community to sing way can make them feel together harmoniously respected, valued, and inspire others to action. Dani, and supported. a member of the Harmony Project, in collaboration with its Creative Director David Brown, brought it to South High because she believes that “inviting people into your reality in a small, positive way can make them feel respected, valued, and supported. It can make someone who may otherwise

feel detached and lack self-esteem feel that they belong.� Participation in the Harmony project affords these students, many of whom have never traveled outside of the South Columbus community, the opportunity to sing at high profile events, such as the opening ceremony of the PGA Presidents Cup, and to travel to cities such as New York City. This particular student demographic is frequently of disadvantaged backgrounds and have very little to celebrate. Harmony Project events and trips not only give them something to look forward to, but also provides an escape from their day-to-day realities and exposes them to events and places that they would otherwise likely never have the chance to go to. Given how inclusive Dani is, it comes as no surprise that the Harmony Project allows students from 7th through 12th grade to join and attend the events and trips.

Whether it be a fellow corps member, her manager, or a student that she serves, everyone who works Dani Moses feels respected, included, and valued. Her unfettered commitment to inclusivity is evident in her thoughts, words, and actions. While City Year values inclusivity, Dani has internalized it and embodies it as her virtue.

Pierre Lucien First Year Corps Member City Year Columbus

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December 2013 cityyear.org 29

#M AKE B ETTER H APPEN

Virginia Ivey @Virginial_CYCO

1hr

“3 positive phone calls definitely made a difference in my service day. All 3 parents were overwhelmed with excitement #makebetterhappen”

Erica Pence @epence_CYCO

14m

“A student told me that when I become a teacher, he is going to be the City Year in my classroom #makebetterhappen”

Pierre Lucien @plucien_CYCO

25m

“I serve because education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world #makebetterhappen”

Ben Jenkins @BenJenkins_CYCO

5m

“We really could’t have done this without you guys,” -Our principal during tuday’s halloween dance at Mifflin Middle #makebetterhappen

Zandra Casto @ZandraC_CYCO

12m

When I see a student’s eyes light up because they understand the material it’s a reminder why I serve w/ @CityYear to #makebetterhappen

Tamar Carr @TamarC_CYCO

7hr

One of my focus list students raised her grade from an F to a C for the 1st quarter. I am so proud of her #makebetterhappen

Hope Hill @HopeH_CYCO

2m

“G&A to the team of folks who throw me back in the ocean of idealism when I get stranded on the beach of apathy. Sometimes I am the starfish.

Fevean @FKeflom_CYCO

3hr

Today in our college and career committee, we did elevator speeches the kids rock it! #makebetterhappen #futureleaders #hirethem

Ryan Hall @RyanH_CYCO

10m

I asked my student why he carries a tassel on his backpack, he says ”To remind me I’m going to graduate.” #makebetterhappen

Darcy McCarthy @DarcyM_CYCO Helped a student in ELA & he did his work for the first time in a long time.

Small steps w/ big impact. So proud of him. #makebetterhappen

45m

I love riding the bus - cheap, convenient, and environmentally friendly :) #redjacketsrideCOTA

Zandra Casto @zandrac_cyco

2d

City Year Columbus (@ CityYearCbus) appreciates our partnership w/ @COTABus #RedJacketsRideCota

Kinsey K 24h @kinsey_CYCO #RedJacketsRideCota when it snows to avoid scary driving conditions!

Tamar Carr 5h @tamarc_CYCO COTA bus 9 is conviently located between my house and the City Year Columbus office #redjacketsrideCOTA

Rachel Beebe 57m @RachelB_CYCO Happy Tuesday! Strong ELA event tonight at South HS! Thanks for the ride 4S! #cyco #redjacketsridecota

Takeshi 5w @takeshi_CYCO #redjacketsridecota we’re not the only ones who provide service with a smile. Thanks for telling me good morning COTA

COTABus @COTA

3w

Love this! RT @KatieD_CYCO The @COTABus is always on time for me when I get to the bus stop! #redjacketsridecota

Joey Issac 11m @JoeyIssac_CYCO Big smile for our sponsors for the bus passes! #redjacketsridecota

Virginia Ivey @virginiaI_cyco

37m

16 degree windchill in Columbus this morning. #Bundled #CYCO #RedJacketsRideCOTA

#R ED J ACKETS R IDE COTA

Takeshi 11m @takeshi_CYCO

City Year Columbus highly values our partnership with Central Ohio Transportation Authority (COTA)!

Without their support, it would be difficult to do the work we do each day. Check out more about City Year Columbus’ partnership with COTA by following #redjacketsridecota.

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THE

IDEALIST SPOTLIGHT

| CHRIS BLUM

JOSH JOHNSON

MEET JOSH JOHNSON--HE IS BIG, BALD, AND BOISTEROUS.

W

hen he’s not screaming the Buckeyes or the Cincinnati Reds on to victory, Josh can be found spending tender moments with his wife of six years, Kelly, and their adorable two and three year-old children, Jack and Molly. As a School Transformation Facilitator with Diplomas Now, Josh’s passion also shows itself in his career, where he coaches students to achieve their own victories.

32 l cityyear.org l December 2013

What does inclusivity mean to you, Josh?

Inclusivity, to me, means including people in your life that you want to be there. To be truly inclusive though, I have to be willing to give everyone a chance to know my family and me.

I also have to want to be willing to know them, including their circumstances and baggage.

How do you display inclusivity inside Mifflin High School?

successful as people. As the old saying goes, students don’t care what you (teachers/City Year members) know until they know that you care.

If we can show students that people genuinely care about them, then they will be more receptive to what we say and what we teach. If this can happen, then I believe Mifflin and every other school can be inclusive.

Josh and the ‘12-’13 Mifflin High City Year Team pose at the class of 2016 promotions ceremony

I like to have an open door policy towards all students, no matter who they are or what they have done in the past. I also find it helpful to know the name of every student in the building; it helps me engage them in conversation. Making time for conversations with each and every student throughout the day is hugely helpful in creating an environment of inclusivity throughout Mifflin High School. Oh! I forgot to mention the importance of openness and honesty while working with teachers and students at Mifflin. I can not expect students to do something that I would not also expect of myself.

What are a few steps that we can take to increase inclusivity in our schools?

Well, I think it starts with the teachers and administration, really. The Diplomas Now team cannot be the only people thinking about inclusivity and expect to see change throughout the entire school. Teachers and administration must also have an open door policy towards the entirety of the student body. Students need to know that teachers do not only consider academics, but also desire their students to be

Finally, Josh what is some advice that you would give to a budding idealist?

Honestly, I would just say to continue following your heart and trying to achieve your hopes and dreams. You need to always strive to be yourself and be honest with yourself when you make mistakes. My last piece of advice would be to hold strong to your beliefs no matter what. You guys are doing great work and I greatly appreciate everything that we are accomplishing together.

Chirs Blum First Year Corps Member City Year Columbus

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December 2013 cityyear.org 33

THE

IDEALIST SPOTLIGHT

The Idealist Commitee: A little about who we are Zandra Casto

Tamar Carr

Mark Schmitter

Mirria Martin

Kyle Bialko

Traci Blaylock

Chris Blum

Zandra Casto is a twenty- something just living and loving life. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in May 2012 with a degree in International Studies and Spanish. After OWU, she earned the amazing opportunity to serve with City Year Columbus as a Team Leader at Weinland Park Elementary. Currently, she serves as a Team Leader with her amazing team at Mifflin Middle School. In her free time she enjoys working out, reading, eating guacamole, exploring Columbus, getting coffee at Staufs, watching Modern Family, traveling, and rocking out to Coldplay.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Tamar Israel Carr has earned a bachelor's of science in Human Ecology from THE Ohio State University, with a minor in sexuality studies. After City Year, she plans to embark on a journey to obtain a master’s of science in Nursing. A mother of one, Tamar enjoys makeup, fashion, traveling, spending time with her family, and cherishing her relationship with the Lord. Her journey with City Year began with the need to uplift our community, exemplify positive behaviors for our youth, and imparting a seed of love, laughter, and a sense of self-worth.

Mark is a 24 year old Ohio Wesleyan graduate from Ostrander, Ohio. He describes himself as “the guy that always has a camera in my hands.” His obsession with wanting to take better pictures of cars at young age has snowballed into a full blown hobby-turned-job encompassing photography and videography. He likes anything with an engine and wheels, is horrible at sports, and has an unhealthy obsession with gadgets. He is excited for the opportunity to continue his work with City Year Columbus, as it has allowed him to give back to the community and meet great people.

As a military brat, Mirria Martin has lived all over these United States—Or at least anywhere with a coastline. She crashlanded in Columbus after high school, graduating from The Ohio State University, and fell deeply in love with the city. She has not, however, adopted the local custom of calling soft drinks “pop.” Her passion lies in education and reform, believing whole-heartedly in the power of education to change the world (her secondary passions include reading, sewing, rabbits, and giraffes). Join her at Mifflin High School, and she’ll have you fired up and ready to serve. Follow her escapades on Twitter at MsMartin_CYCO. Kyle Alexander Bialko grew up in Twinsburg, Ohio where he was a counselor and supervisor for eight summers at the Twinsburg Youth Summer Camp. He received his BA in Film Production in 2011 from Bowling Green State University.

Inspired by a friend doing City Year, he applied to become a corps member. Kyle now proudly serves in the 10th grade at Linden McKinley STEM Academy.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii Traci Blaylock has always been a free spirit. He attended a college preparatory school, The Dayton Early College Academy. There Traci gained a true appreciation for education and developed an interest in entrepreneurship.

Originally enrolling at Wright State University’s Management and Sociology Bachelor programs, Traci found new aspirations in becoming a teacher/administrator whose focus is guiding inner city youth to graduate high school and pursue higher education. He has a high passion for sports and 80’s and 90’s music. His favorite quote is “If you work like no one will for five years, you will live like most wont for the rest of your life.” -Unknown Chris Blum was born in Cincinnati Ohio in 1990. He attended St. Xavier high school, located in a small suburb of Cincinnati. After graduating in 2009, he chose to attend The Ohio State University to study history with a focus on education. Chris married the love of his life, Megan, on June 6, 2012. He spends most of his free time with his beautiful wife doing various activities around Columbus such as: doing hipster things, enjoying fine coffees, exploring the Columbus food scene, and leading the prayer ministry at Veritas Columbus, a church located in Italian village

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Cora Henry

Hope Hill

When Cora was little, she would get into trouble for two things: reading when she was supposed to sleep and refusing to eat foods containing mayonnaise. Her love of books and hatred of mayonnaise continue to define her today. In college she played the Javanese Gamelan and the steel drums. Also she read a bunch of books (she didn't get in trouble for that this time) and learned how to make popcorn (both microwave and stovetop--she's better at the latter.) Her other hobbies include tipping canoes and skipping.

Hailing from a suburb on the east side of Cleveland, Hope Hill is the Marketing Lead of The Idealist. She graduated with a degree in Communications from The Ohio State University and makes a mean Alfredo sauce. Hope loves reading books and is prone to hiccups. Her weaknesses are pet dander and glitter. She aspires to finish the collected works of Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare before her 25th birthday. You can follow her on Twitter at HopeH_CYCO.

Joseph Isaac

Joseph M. Isaac was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Political Science and Communications. His favorite foods are California styled smothered burritos, chicken or beef. He also loves all sorts of music; his all-time favorites are hip-hop, reggae, and dub music. However, he doesn't mind exploring alternatives such as pop and country. Joseph also holds dual citizenship, with one being American and the second being Eritrean. Joseph is a sports junkie and a fan of every team in Denver.

Virginia Ivey

Virginia Ivey is proudly serving as a first year corps member in Columbus. Originally from Sharon, Pennsylvania, Virginia graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications with her focus in broadcast journalism in 2012.

Virginia is the ELA Coordinator for Team Mifflin. Her humble upbringing and passion for mentoring has truly been the driving force behind her dedication to education reform. “I’m still dreaming bigger than I’m living, but still sleeping long enough to dream” –Big Sean

Pierre Lucien

Ben Jenkins

Born and raised in Les Cayes, Haiti and having immigrated with his family to Brooklyn, New York at the age of 10, Pierre identifies as a Haitian-American and a New-Yorker. He attended Westbury High School, earned his bachelor’s in French Language and Literature from St. John’s University and his master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. He loves to travel, learning about and experiencing different cultures. Some of his prior destinations include: Panama, Mexico, Puerto Rico, France, and China. His long-term career aspiration is to become the Secretary of Education.

Ben Jenkins is from Dayton, Ohio and is currently serving as a Corps Member at Mifflin Middle School. He graduated from West Carrollton High School in 2009 and earned his bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in German from The Ohio State University last May. Since graduation, Ben has spent time painting dorms, working in coffee shops, attending his friends' weddings, and pursuing both his love of writing and his desire to serve and empower people. He heard that he real world is scary, so he sometimes packs an extra pair of underwear in his backpack.

Darcy McCarthy

Darcy McCarthy is a first year corps member serving in the 9th grade at Linden McKinley STEM Academy. A recent graduate from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, she studied Communications and Media Studies. She is originally from Annapolis, Maryland but is very glad to be in Columbus, exploring the city and meeting new people. Outside of education, social justice, and City Year, her interests include rabbits, vintage campers and trailers, homesteading, and enjoying local music. Her favorite things in life include cooking, spending time with friends, and every meaningful moment she makes with her students.

Takeshi Tawarada

Takeshi is a 22 year old that serves with City Year because he sees potential in every child and wants to help them realize they can always strive to be better. With this ideal in hand, he plans to continue his education to become a psychiatrist, so that he can have more opportunities to provide support for others. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful girlfriend, adorable puppy, and supportive friends. He also enjoys DJing when he finally finds time in his busy schedule.

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THE

IDEALIST

ALUMNI

leaders for life

Q&A with Mike Slepian What types of service did you perform while in City Year (i.e. – school, grade levels, physical service, devo, etc.)

Most of my service took place in the classroom and during the afterschool program at Weinland Park Elementary. I spent the majority of my day working hand in hand with the third grade classrooms and pulling students for small group tutoring (as well as one-on-ones). During the after school portion I assisted an existing program by facilitating learning activities.

After my first year of service I worked as a Project Leader with the Recruitment Department. My position was office-based and had me traveling around to high schools and colleges to talk about the City Year program.

What would you like to share your about yourself professionally? (Essentially, a short resume: Where do you work, go attend school, volunteer? What are your responsibilities both past and present that may be relevant to corps members.)

I actually worked for the afterschool program that I partnered with as a corps member. After a year of working in the same environment that I spent my City Year days in, I ventured to work with King Business Interiors. I made the connection to my new career path through City Year and their professional development programs.

Top & Middle: LMSA alumni come out to support Parents, Family, and Friends weekend.

What are your personal interests?

I gravitate to anything that is sports related or competitive.

When I can find a way to make a situation or assignment relate in a competitive manner, I am able to sink my teeth into it and, while I seek to always put forth a strong effort, competition raises that level.

What are you excited about this year for the Alumni Board, working with corps members, or being a part of the City Year Columbus site?

Working with a new group of Alumni board members as we keep pushing forwards towards collaboration and creating a stronger alumni presence. I noticed in my first year that we have a lot of issues with our communication and I see that we are already starting to make improvements in those areas.

36 l cityyear.org l December 2013

Bottom: Alumni and current corps members come together for a game of kickball at Goodale Park.

EVENTS

8th Annual Alumni Service Weekend January 17-20, 2014

18-Minute Networking Monday, January 6, 2014 18-Minute Networking: 3:00-5:00 pm Mocktail Hour: 5:00-6:30 pm 88 East Broad Street Suite 800 Columbus, OH 43215 Purpose: This event seeks to encourage City Year AmeriCorps members to focus on their lives and careers after City Year by providing them the opportunity to meet and network with career leaders who are established in their respective fields. City Year alumni serving as career leaders are asked to share how they have leveraged their City Year experience as an accelerator along various leadership paths.

Structure: 1-3 discussion leaders who specialize in a field will lead a small group discussion about what has led them to their current work. After each session, corps members will rotate to a different group and participate in a new discussion. Once the rotations are complete, there will be a networking event for corps members to connect informally with career leaders with whom they did not have the opportunity to speak, as well as career leaders to connect with one another.

Mocktail Hour: Please join us after 18-Minute Networking for a reception with the corps members, City Year Alumni Board Members, and other discussion leaders.

Who can be a discussion leader for 18-minute netwroking?

Specifically requested are career leaders in the following fields: - Education - Non-Profit - Social Work - Public Policy - Medical & Health Care

- Natural Resources - Arts & Creative Performing - Communications - Business Administration If you are interested in sharing your career path with City Year

New Orleans, LA In Parnership with City Year New Orleans and Care Force Background: Founded in 2007, the Alumni Service Weekend annually brings together alumni board members from across the network who unite as a beloved community of idealists to support the development of City Year Louisiana, celebrate MLK Day weekend, perform two-days of high-impact service, strengthen and promote the national alumni association, and learn about and contribute to the rebuilding effort in New Orleans.

Goals of Service Weekend: Celebrate MLK Day weekend as an important time of year to convene a national group alumni leaders to address pressing community needs and build the beloved alumni community; Leverage collective power of alumni network to support the development of City Year New Orleans and strengthen relationships with their service partners within New Orleans Raise visibility and prestige of site alumni boards within City Year and develop their identity as alumni leaders on both a local and national level; and identify and cultivate future alumni board co-chairs and committee chairs Preliminary Schedule: 1/17, Friday – Arrival, check into hotel; team dinner with MLK Day corps committee (aim to fly into MSY Airport between 11:00 am - 5:30 pm) 1/18, Saturday – All day service project with City Year New Orleans and Care Force; group dinners at suggested restaurants and night out 1/19, Sunday – Team brunch; community exploration; Alumni Association reflection in the evening 1/20, Monday – MLK Day Service with City Year New Orleans (service ends by 4) & Alumni. “Closing Ceremony” at HerbSaint with Pimms Cups 1/21, Tuesday – Alumni depart (or Monday evening after service)

Overview of Service: Alumni will serve with City Year and support two service days on Saturday 1/18 and MLK Day 1/20. MLK Day will focus on physical service, such as painting, beautification, building community garden, etc at a school or community partner in New Orleans. More details will be shared.

Logistics of Trip: Travel: Alumni are responsible for getting themselves to New Orleans Housing: Alumni will stay together at The Blake Hotel, near the French Quarter (room rate should be around $55/night per person, if alumni have a roommate) Meals: Alumni Department will cover meals during the weekend, except for Saturday dinner Rental Vans: Alumni Department covers cost of traveling within New Orleans

Columbus corps members or have questions, please contact

Deadline to Reserve Your Spot: Friday, December 13, 2013

Alumni Board Co-Chair Joy Bronson at joyebronson@gmail.

For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact : Amanda Smidt, National Manager of Alumni & Career Services, asmidt@cityyear.org

com or 513.348.9326 by Friday, December 20, 2013.

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IDEALIST

WANTED: IDEALISTS We are always looking for inspiring starfish stories, awesome best practices in ABC’s, questions for Dear Idealist, funny quotes from students, and meaningful tweets! Email your submissions to theidealistcyco@gmail.com