Winter 2017

COMMUNITY CALL The official newsletter of the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence DECEMBER 2017 | WINTER

in this issue Catch up with our programs Meet our new staff Recap of Sources Conference 2017 Dive into our community research

on the cover Ryan Kilgore of the Kilgore Music Foundation

Dr. Leslie Fenwick Wednesday, February 21st 5:30 PM Georgia State University Speaker's Auditorium

Table of contents 4 Service in the Summer Catch up with Early College, TEEMS AmeriCorps, and Jumpstart

7 Meet Kimberly Baker Jumpstart has a new director

8 Sources Conference 2017 Catalyzing Truth in Action: Think, Question, Discover

10 Welcoming CINEMA Learn about the Careers in New Emerging Media Areas program, its launch, and our new director

12 Research with the Blank Foundation Catch with the Blank Foundation and the Crim Center's STEM research

13 STEM Leadership Institute STEM professional development brought to you by the Crim Center

Check it out! Dr. Williams introduced the University of Johannesburg to his style of handson STEM education when they visited Atlanta.

EARLY COLLEGE SUCCESS

By Crim Center interns Photographs by Claire Miller Early College's Summer Enrichment is a four-week summer program that exposes high school students to Georgia State University academically and socially.

This program is usually exclusive to Early College students. For the first time however, 20 non-Early College students from 19 different schools participated. Following the success of these pilot students, more non-Early College students will be admitted next summer.

The program consists of three core classes, afternoon enrichment classes, and four field trips.

The core classes cover college-level English, Math, and Science, while Summer Enrichment courses span coding, digital media, art, and College 101 (on using the library and studying tips). Critical thinking is intentionally integrated into each of these courses.

Through a partnership with Dr. Joyce King and the GSU Social Justice and Student Success grant, Early College was able to expose students to college and social explanations of justice. This included field trips to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia, and to the Equal Justice Initiative, in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Tene Davis, the Early College associate director, explained that the goal is to "instill the idea of social justice in students so that their degree is more than just a win for their family or themselves, but also for their community."

Through this successful program, the Early College students leave incredibly well prepared for their first semester at Georgia State University.

Top: An Early College student receives their Summer Enrichment completion certificate. Middle: An Early College student presents a final project. Bottom: An Early College student receives their Summer Enrichment completion certificate.

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T.E.E.M.S & DREAMS

by Crim Center Interns This summer, the Crim Center's T.E.E.M.S. Americorps program partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) for their annual DREAMS Summer Institute.

DREAMS (Developing Relationships to Enhance All Mentee’s School Success) is a free, week long program for teen (13-15) BGCMA members.

During one week at Georgia State University fourteen Americorps team members led forty students from six different Boys and Girls Clubs (Douglas County, East DeKalb, Grant, Paulding, Samuel L. Jones & Warren), in exploration of STEM fundamentals, leadership development, college preparation, and social-cultural identity. Each of the workshops were designed and facilitated by trained and passionate Americorps members.

DREAMS at Georgia State University provided unique opportunities to encourage the participants as 'future scholars,' as T.E.E.M.S. director Vanessa Perez-Topczewski called them. Not

only were they able to get their hands dirty with STEM basics, they were able to meet college students, attend a college student panel, tour campus, and eat in the campus dining hall. With Georgia State as the multicultural background the program provided the perfect setting for self-reflection and growth during the social-cultural identity workshops.

T.E.E.M.S. (Technology, Engineering, Environment, Math and Science) AmeriCorps is a corps of mathematics and science majors trained in “Best Practices in Urban Education,” which includes effective tutoring and mentoring..

"For the kids, being on the campus and being called 'future scholars' gives them a certain pride. They love When reflecting on DREAMS, Vanessa being on campus, being Perez-Topczewski, voiced, "One of the around college students, things I tell the corp members is the hearing from college kids coming back is a big testament to students." the work that they are doing. In the -Vanessa Perezsummer [BGCMA students] have Topczewski ultimate control over what they want to do. Everything is voluntary. We had kids who were choosing to come do this work: academic development, leadership development, learning about their social/cultural identity, science, and engineering. They chose to do this work instead of going to other extra-curricular activities."

COMMUNITY CALL

SUMMER READING

By Crim Center interns Photographs by Angela Turk

This summer, Jumpstart focused on the summer bridge program at Dunbar Elementary School. The Jumpstart team members helped provide instruction to 75 preschoolers who had never worked with Jumpstart before. These children either did not attend pre-k or needed more assistance in adjusting to classroom structure.  Jumpstart aims to provide opportunities and resources throughout the summer in the form supplemental instruction, coaching, and mentoring. "Unlike in the fall and spring semester, the class sizes are smaller, making the students' experience more personalized," former Jumpstart director Nishona Curry explained. "This makes instruction more intensive and intentional."

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Jumpstart members Tre Baugh and Angely Un reflected on what they learned as future educators from the summer. Tre said, "I definitely learned the importance of patience and a lot about classroom management. Words are so important."

The core members reflected on the words they used in the classroom, and how that manifested in children's classroom behavior. It made them more aware of their impact as educators. "Jumpstart has given me more ways to be creative in the classroom through management, problem-solving and the opportunity to learn something new every day," Angely said.

Kimberly Baker "You can't take it with you, so plant it."

/ BY CRIM CENTER GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT, DANIEL COPELAND

In November of 2017, Ms. Kimberly Baker joined the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence as the Program Director of Jumpstart.

Ms. Baker is a warm, friendly addition to the Crim Center team who is excitedly looking forward to growing both the Center and Jumpstart.

Ms. Baker moved to Atlanta 17 years ago. In 2004, she began substitute teaching in Dekalb county. She explained that her mother had always said she would be a great teacher, and substituting opened her eyes to that. In 2005 she began as a kindergarten teacher and later taught middle and high school.

By 2011 she took on many roles in her school. She was the technology specialist, a grant writer, and even coordinated the yearbook. These different roles opened her eyes and led her to Junior Achievement, an

organization that impacts students through economic, education and youth development. Junior Achievement met Ms. Baker's passions in new, exciting ways. Starting as a program director in 2011, she quickly moved up to senior program director by 2017, helping the company reach nearly 110,000 students.

Now in late 2017, she has transitioned to being Program Director of Jumpstart Atlanta at Georgia State University. She described everywhere she has worked before as being the foundation for what she wants to bring to Jumpstart.

When asked what excites her most about leading Jumpstart she had two answers, "ah-ha! moments" and teacher support.

She expressed how, in her experience, many volunteers do not know what they have signed up for until they have an "ah-ha"

moment. In that moment they realize the important difference they can make in someone else's life. For her that means pouring into the Jumpstart core members, leading them in such a way that the "ah-ha moment" is a great growing experience. Additionally, she knows how much support teachers need, and being that for them through Jumpstart is an exciting opportunity.

When speaking with Ms. Baker, the word she continually used was "growth." She explained how her ultimate goal is knowing people and their passions in such an intimate way that she can lead them to their goals. "All the knowledge from experiences we have..." she said "you can't take it with you, so plant it. Plant it in others so they can grow too."

Ms. Baker is wonderfully kind and a friend to everyone that walks in the Crim Center. Jumpstart is in good hands.

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THE 12TH ANNUAL SOURCES OF

URBAN EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Catalyzing Truth in Action: Think, Question, Discover 8

SOURCES - 2017 This year marked the 12th Annual Sources of Urban Educational Excellence Conference at the Georgia State University College of Law on October 28th and 29th, 2017. As the brain child of Dr. Asa Hilliard and Dr. Susan M. Crim-McClendon, Sources serves the community through research presentation and community action that reflects the reality and needs of students in urban schools.

This year's theme Catalyzing Truth in Action: Think, Question, Discover, charged community members to think about their truth, and its role in the classroom and education, question the status quo of learning environments, and discover new methods of critical pedagogy. Because research can be essential to the perspective of educators both in K-12 and higher education, this year we bridged research and action in the community.

The opening plenary introduced the central theme of the impact of truth. Our director, Brian Williams, explained the importance of a collective truth.

"Individuals have power through their own truth. However, collective truth and action create movement."

Tonia Durden, a former student of Dr. Asa Hiliard, spoke on her experience with our Sources co-founder. She spoke to his philosophy of knowing the history and culture of the African diaspora and how it impacts students (regardless of teacher's race).

On par with the teachings of Dr. Hilliard, Dr. Joyce King presented on the summer session titled "Social Justice & Student Success."

She gave a powerful anecdote about the power of selfknowledge akin to the ways of Dr. Asa Hilliard. Her personal anecdotes of resisting assimilation and critiquing

Above: Tonia Durden

level understandings of success made her speech a highlight for many.

Sources closed with a panel featuring Lonnie King, Condace Pressley, Angela Tuck, Leroy Chapman, and Malena Cunningham. The panel emphasized the impact of media, and how the notion of alternative facts does not represent the tradition of true journalism.

"Individuals have power through their own truth; however collective truth and action create movement."

See the conference pictures here!

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CINEMA Project Launch By: Angela Turk

From left to right: David Cheshire (Director, Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) Associate Professor of Communication College of Arts and Sciences-Georgia State University), Brian Williams (Director, Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence, Clinical Professor, Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Georgia State University), Dana E. Salter (Interim Associate Director, Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence Georgia State University), Walter Massey (President, Georgia State University Foundation, and Vice President of Development, Georgia State University), Mike Passilla (Vice Chairman, JPMorgan Chase & Co.), Christopher Escobar (Executive Director, Atlanta Film Society), David Bass (Business Banking Relationship Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co.).

ATLANTA — Georgia State University’s Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence has been awarded a $125,000 planning grant from JPMorgan Chase to prepare local youth for careers in the burgeoning film, media and entertainment industry in Georgia.

The Crim Center is partnering with the Atlanta Film Society, Georgia State’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and the university’s new Creative Media Industries Institute to design three seven-week classes, one four-week project-based learning experience and one four-to-six-week paid internship for participants.

The Careers In New and Emerging Media Areas (CINEMA) Project will recruit 18- to 24-year-olds who are not in school and not employed to come to Georgia State’s campus, take courses and gain the skills necessary to secure entry-level positions in information and communication technology that could lead to successful, long-term careers in the film and media industries.

CINEMA participants could also transfer the skills they learn in the project to other industries, such as marketing, communications and real estate development, which could address personnel gaps in these markets and contribute to the strength of the Georgia labor market.

“The CINEMA project is an innovative solution to two pressing challenges facing Georgia today: The growing number of young people who are disconnected from work and education and the need for a trained labor force,” said Brian Williams, Crim Center director.

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“We want more people to share in the benefits of a growing economy by creating sustainable paths to careers that lead to prosperity and wealth for more individuals,” said Mike Passilla, managing director at JPMorgan Chase.

“Atlanta is becoming one of the world’s fastest growing TV and film destinations and our partnership with the Crim Center will help our local youth have long, successful careers right here at home.”

Meet our new program director!

Elaine M. Brown on CINEMA, success, and media influencers

Elaine Brown is the new director of the Careers In

more participants to the project who have the

New And Emerging Media Areas (CINEMA)

potential to complete the program so they can

Project at the Alonzo A. Crim Center. Elaine's

successfully secure jobs in Atlanta's entertainment

background is in creative services. She is an

industry, specifically in the new emerging media

Emmy award-winning writer and former Vice

space. "

President of HBO. She's led creative teams, influenced public relations, and marketing, in film

Success looks like good storytelling. At the core of

media. Her coauthored book, "The Little Black

all of this is good storytelling, digital content

Book of Success: The Laws of Success for Black

creation, filming, gaming, character development.

Women," is now in its 11th print. She is currently

The story doesn't always have to be through

serving as a judge for the 2018 TV & Film Awards

writing or complex either. Some of the most

Festival. In this brief interview she outlines her

powerful stories have simple stories, mainly great

goals for CINEMA.

storytelling."

What was your introduction to the CINEMA

How do you motivate people who have been

project?

out of the workforce and out of school?

"In the process of moving to Atlanta, the CINEMA project caught my attention. I saw it as a great opportunity for young people, noticed it needed a director, and wanted to combine my passion for leadership and experience in the media industry to develop entry level talent."

What do you envision for the CINEMA project?

"Exceeding expectations, and achieving great success. Success meaning majority or all students graduating from the program, and getting job opportunities, permanent and freelance jobs. My

"I focus on things like leadership training, emotional training, conflict resolution, getting out of your comfort zone training, and more.

However, ideal candidates for this program are self-motivated people."

What is a piece of media that has influenced your work?

"The answer ranges widely, but some people doing great work: Ava Duvernay, Ryan Coogler, Dee Rees, Shonda Rhimes, Donald Glover."

vision for the CINEMA project means attracting

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STEM Research with the Blank Foundation As part of the Crim Center's mission to optimize the opportunities of students in urban communities, Crim Center director Brian Williams and Quintin Bostic collaborated with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Pipeline Project to assess the quality, quantity, and efficacy of STEM programs in the Fulton County, Dekalb County, and Atlanta Public Schools communities.

The study revealed the difference in access to STEM programs and implementation obstacles for the programs. Out of 540 programs mapped across Georgia, 55 served the Dekalb community, 59 served the Fulton community, and 288 served the Atlanta Public Schools community. The support of these programs came from larger entities such as the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Georgia State University, and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Through these larger institutions, more students receive the service of these programs and the structure helps sustain the program. However, for some students that rely on public transportation, the problem of accessibility arises.

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In interviews with community members, parents spoke to the importance of STEM education, but their awareness of STEM programs in urban areas falls short. The outreach to students in urban schools needs more range. Some communities desire programs but have few, while others are unaware of the many programs they have access to. We also need to think critically about teachers.

Educators need professional development to serve the students in their best capacity. The intertwining of these needs reflects the core findings of this study.

The study noted the conditions of students that these programs served and came to understand six needs of these programs: transportation, the inclusion of early learners, diversity of educators in the programs, professional development for educators currently in these communities, increased awareness of STEM programs, and an evaluation system for STEM programs to perform at their best.

STEM Leadership Institute This summer the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence launched its STEM Leadership Institute. This engaging and experiential two-day professional development experience was designed to expose elementary teachers to the knowledge, skills, and strategies involved in effective STEM instruction, as well as inspire conversations about how and why STEM teaching and learning is particularly relevant and important in elementary school.

The STEM Leadership Institute is an example of the Crim Center’s ongoing commitment to the support and development of quality teachers. “Dr. Alonzo Crim believed that the teacher was the curriculum,” says Crim Center Director and Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Dr. Brian Williams. “The Institute builds on this idea and gives teachers a way to connect directly to innovative work in the College of Education and Human Development.”

Approximately 60 elementary school teachers from Atlanta Public Schools gathered at Woodson Park Elementary School (Atlanta, GA) to participate in the institute. Over the two-days, the teachers participated in a series of mini-courses aimed at preparing to teach STEM effectively to children. The teachers, organized by school teams, explored STEM in courses with titles like Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy Instruction in STEM, An Introduction to Maker Movement in Education, Utilizing Inquiry in STEM Education, Introduction to the Design Thinking Process, and Culturally Responsive Mathematics Instruction in STEM. All of the mini-courses were designed and taught by recognized experts such as Dr. Gholdy Muhammad (GSU), Dr. Shonda Lemons-Smith (GSU), Dr. Brian Williams (GSU), and Mr. Jason Martin (STE(A)M Truck).

Atlanta Public Schools teachers participate in hands-on STEM activities as part of the STEM Leadership Institute.

In addition to learning strategies and best practices for elementary STEM education, the participating teachers also experienced hands-on, STEM lessons designed to deepen their understanding. They built cardboard arcade games in the Institute’s Makerspace and launched Alka-Seltzer powered rockets. In addition to a collection of new ideas, each teacher also left with a classroom set of STEMfocused children’s books, STEM materials, and a notebook full of articles, sample lessons, and other resources. According to one of the participating teachers, “This was one of the best professional development experiences I’ve ever had. I can’t wait for the next one!”

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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 magazine 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:Â

http://bit.ly/BuildingTheCommunity

This magazine was designed by Daniel Copeland (Crim Center GRA) and Gayla Tilman (Crim Center Intern).