THE COMMUNITY CALL The Official Newsletter of the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Education 2020 OVERVIEW
In This Issue:
Director's Letter 2020 Mays Lecture 15th Annual Sources Conference Early College Highlights Welcome Back Jumpstart 2nd Season of CINEMA TEEMS STEM Award
From the Directors Desk by Brian Williams
Happy New Year Community of Believers! While we welcome 2021, we would also agree that the trials and tribulations of 2020 will live with us for some time. Last year, our communities shuddered under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic, violent attacks on our democracy, and vicious demonstrations of racism’s grip on our society. Given this, however, we have persisted. I have been inspired by the reaction of our communities to these adversities. We leveraged our collective genius to build virtual solutions to everything from school to professional conferences to our family celebrations. In the spirit of John Lewis’ call for good trouble, young people around the world acted out in the name of racial justice and their vision for equity and freedom in our world. In addition, I'm very proud of the people of the Alonzo A Crim Center and the many ways we have responded to the challenges of 2020. We have continued to work diligently with our community to build a world in which our children can thrive. I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and learning about the work of the Crim Center and ways that you can get connected, get informed, and do the work in 2021.
31ST BENJAMIN E. MAYS LECTURE Linda Darling-Hammond, the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Emeritus at Stanford University, gave a presentation entitled, “Achieving Equity and Excellence: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go” on Feb 20th, 2020 becoming our 31st annual Benjamin E. Mays Lecturer.
LINDA DARLING-HAMMOND Claire Miller, Public Relations Coordinator, Georgia State University
You cannot get to high achievement without also investing in equity,” she said. “It’s clear that part of the answer to this challenge is putting the resources where they belong, where they can equalize access for young people.” Darling-Hammond also recommends incorporating recent neuroscience research into educational policy. She cited studies about the science of learning that demonstrate how relationships, social-emotional needs, and positive learning environments have a substantial impact on a child’s ability to learn. “What do we need in addition to equity? We need schools that are designed for caring,” she said. “There are continuing sources of oppression, racism, and inequality, but progress is made every day in every school by educators who bring love and determination with them.” Darling-Hammond is president of the Learning Policy Institute and has conducted extensive research on issues of educator supply, demand, and quality. Among her awardwinning publications in this area are “What Matters Most: Teaching for America’s Future,” “Teaching as the Learning Profession” and “Preparing Teachers for a Changing World: What Teachers Should Learn and be Able to Do.”
“IF WE TAUGHT BABIES TO TALK AS MOST SKILLS ARE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL, THEY WOULD MEMORIZE LISTS OF SOUNDS IN A PREDETERMINED ORDER AND PRACTICE THEM ALONE IN A CLOSET.” – Linda Darling-Hammond
Conference Theme: Connecting the Dots in Urban Education: Memory, Identity, and Vision
VIRTUAL SOURCES CONFERENCE The 15th annual Sources Conference encouraged us to examine urban education from a variety of perspectives. Thus, in addition to the research and perspectives of higher education faculty, the conference highlighted the work from pre-service and in-service educators, graduate students, activists, policymakers, artists, business and industry members, and community workers interested in forging a positive educational agenda in urban schools. From an average of 100+ attendees for the keynote and workshop sessions, to highly engaging concurrent sessions, to thoughtful questions and comments from attendees, our first-ever virtual conference had something for everyone. Presentation topics ranged from innovative STEM education to a child’s right to play, to citizen science, to nonviolence focused conflict resolution. To see session recordings, please explore our Sources Conference website: https://crim.education.gsu.edu/2020-sources-conference/ Thank you for making the 2020 Sources of Urban Educational Conference such a wonderful and engaging experience! We are looking forward to next year's conference.
During our 2020 virtual conference, we focused on this particular moment in our history that spotlights the interconnectedness of our world. The COVID-19 crisis, the global demonstrations for racial and social equity, and the ongoing fractured political discourses have all illustrated the ways that we are connected and the need for us to strengthen those lines that drive us to points of intersection. The actions of seemingly disconnected individuals, communities, institutions, and organizations play in concert to cultivate chaos or harmony, despair or hope, oppression or justice. Where do you as an educator, parent, community member connect to this conversation? How does education connect to this conversation?
Jumpstart returns to GSU with a twist In January of this year the Alonzo A. Crim Center welcomed back the Jumpstart AmeriCorps program with a new director, Julius Cave. The program returned with the mission to continue its history of service by Georgia State University students. Jumpstart welcomed new 10 university students into the program just this spring. After restarting just before the pandemic began, the program had to make major necessary changes so the service could continue. Jumpstart transitioned from an in-person service model to a virtual service model.
Program volunteers began delivering a weekly mix of engaging, virtual live and pre-recorded sessions that focus on language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. During the fall semester the program added a new partner, Our House, Decatur.
This new partnership allows the program to expand its reach. Students serving in the Jumpstart program are now working with 7 classrooms across the three preschool partners. We thank the Georgia State Students who have continued to serve their community during a pandemic and for their ability to apply the Jumpstart curriculum virtually.
A few words from current Jumpstart Americorps Members What does Jumpstart mean to you ? “To me, Jumpstart is a tool to spread literacy among children and close the educational gap [...]. However, Jumpstart stands for more than just that as the program prioritizes inclusivity and acknowledgment of others. Jumpstart allows me to develop these bonds with children, to not only [enhance literacy skills] but foster learning in general.” -Michael Nguyen
“Jumpstart is anxiety relief. I love being around children and they take my mind off anything I am worried about. They are my peace.” -Arielle Doobay
“What Jumpstart means to me is reading to kids and expanding their vocabulary.” -Faith Evers
SPRING/FALL OVERVIEW Each year the Early College program offers a financial aid workshop presented by Georgia State's Student Financial Management Office staff giving their students a head start on the financial aid process including FAFSA.
THE EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM The Georgia State University Early College Program offers successful programming to: Reduce the achievement gap Introduce the option of college to young students Propose strategies on high school graduation Teach college and career readiness The GSU Early College summer enrichment program welcomed 120 students from 32 different high schools around metro Atlanta making it a successful summer program. This past August, we hosted our College Readiness Program virtually. The program consisted of a week-long of dedicated activities introducing high school students to university level material. During the fall semester the GSU Early College program implemented new methods to facilitate student success during a national pandemic. The entire program was moved to an online platform while still being able to facilitate classes, touch-ins, study sessions, meetings, volunteer activities, and even field trips. This allowed us to keep students and their family's risk towards Covid-19 low while still being able to have a positive impact students learning.
During the fall semester our students participated in The Scholarship Academy which matches the students to the perfect scholarships to apply for with guided assistance.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS FOR STUDENTS Family and friends of students are often among the first to notice those who are encountering overwhelming amounts of stress in their lives and are struggling emotionally. This stress can seriously disrupt academic progress, personal relationships and enjoyment of daily life. Family or friends who witness any warning signs should encourage the student to speak with a counselor at the Georgia State University Counseling Center call 404-413-1640.
T.E.E.M.S AMERICORPS The T.E.E.M.S. (Technology, Engineering, Environment, Math, and Science) AmeriCorps Program provides supplemental instruction and support in the areas of math and science during the school day. Members also lead dynamic after-school programming designed to provide homework assistance in math and science while creating fun strategies for learning. The T.E.E.M.S. AmeriCorps members are current college and recent alumni from all the Metro-Atlanta colleges and universities. Our members are subject matter experts in math and science and have experience with navigating virtual learning environments. This combination of skills allowed our members to offer vital support to middle and high school students as schools abruptly shifted from in-person to virtual learning due to the pandemic.
T.E.E.M.S. AMERICORPS PROGRAM RECEIVES INSIGHT INTO DIVERSITY MAGAZINE’S 2020 INSPIRING PROGRAMS IN STEM AWARD The T.E.E.M.S. AmeriCorps Program received the 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). T.E.E.M.S. AmeriCorps was featured, along with 49 other recipients, in the September 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
T.E.E.M.S AMERICORPS STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS T.E.E.M.S. AmeriCorps college students shared some of their favorite and most impactful moments during the Fall Semester of 2020. Student, Nyannah Brown, worked hands-on with a younger student practicing their number writing. Chris Mogaka inspired one of his students to keep focused during their virtual sessions by giving the student encouragement .
CINEMA (CAREERS IN NEW EMERGING MEDIA AREAS) CINEMA takes students on a 22-week journey through the realms of new media. Students learn virtual reality skills, movie making, interactive media, game design and production, and people skills. Funded in part by J.P. Morgan-Chase, this program supports 18-24-year-olds who are disconnected from work and/or education. This program helps CINEMA students to obtain entry-level jobs in information, communications, and/or technology fields.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS Several of our current students have been able to receive job placement this semester: Quintavious Yarbrough, ND Johnson, and Deja Kehinde worked as Production Assistants on the dystopic Ava Duvernay production, DMZ. Charles Bennefield secured employment as a Locations Assistant on the popular CW superhero show, Black Lightning. Ta'neal Chandler launched her very own fantasy show on YouTube called Wondrous Wares that explores the lore of Dungeons and Dragons. Wondrous Wares is already six episodes in and gaining subscribers steadily.
To watch "Wondrous Wares" by Ta'neal Chandler CLICK HERE
Founded in 1996, the Alonzo A. Crim Center is an interdisciplinary hub that works to ensure that no person is alienated from or by education within urban communities Through partnerships, donations, and support we are proud to offer programs that benefit our school communities. Volunteerism allows us to offer over 38,000 volunteer hours to the community each year. This newsletter and all of the life-changing work our programs do would not be possible without the support of our wonderful Community of Believers. For more information on how you can contribute your time, talent, and resources to the Center please visit : Alonzo A. Crim Center Website Here Designed by Shaliyah Brooks and the 2020 Alonzo A. Crim Center Staff.