PROFILE Parent PROFILE Parent

PROFILE Parent PROFILE Parent

esearch tells us that having a supportive parent or family can significantly increase performance levels of students academically and socially. And while EAST is not an uncle, aunt, mom, or dad, to the students involved, we gladly take on the role of ally or advocate for the families that are committed to EAST and see the benefits of the program. Meet Kimberly Munns Johnson, one of the pastors at FaithSpring Church in Little Rock, mother of three, Olivia (15), Will (13) and Ava (11), and an avid supporter of EAST. We sat down with her to talk about her support for EAST and where it all began. R

As a parent, she has been able to see EAST in multiple school settings with what she described as diverse offerings and opportunities among schools. “My kids have all participated in EAST in a variety of levels at Don Roberts Elementary, Forest Heights STEM, and Pinnacle View Middle School. Between my three children, we have about ten years of involvement in EAST, plus my two years participating in EAST conference (I am “staying on” with EAST as a volunteer at Don Roberts, just because I am a fan of what Carman McBride is doing with some of our youngest EAST students)!”

Kim first learned about EAST from her friend and mentor, Jim Kimzey, who was part of the early days in EAST. During their work together Jim recognized that Kim had a passion and willingness to cultivate teenagers through her youth ministry and that she recognized the importance of students being able to explore and innovate ways to better our world through technology.

Kim shared that she enjoyed watching her youngest daughter refine her speaking and presentation skills at such a young age (fourth grade). This development has yielded Ava leadership positions inside and outside of the classroom. “Ava has been able to use these skills in multiple environments like church, community and sports activities, as well as lending her talent with video editing that she has learned in EAST.” Ava is not the only Johnson family member taking skills developed in EAST and sharpening them by assisting others in the community. Kim details how proud she is of her son Will, an eighth-grade student at Pinnacle View Middle School, and the work he is doing as well. “My son, Will, is the youngest staff member at our church, where he integrates sound and video for streaming and recording and, this past summer, he was recognized by a technology firm in Nashville, TN as a candidate for a high school internship; just after completing 7th grade! All of this is a direct correlation to his experience with EAST opportunities in elementary and middle school, both in exposure, mastery, and confidence. “

Kim has been described as a walking advertisement for EAST. Her colorful and passionate support of EAST is not only shown verbally but also in her commitment to volunteer and support EAST.

“My favorite way to support EAST is to communicate with others about how EAST exposes and propels students to keep learning, personal confidence, and discovering solutions. If you ask me “What is EAST?,” you better be prepared for a conversation and not an answer! I personally love attending EAST Conference and seeing the work of students from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter where you are from, what your background is, what your family’s economics look like, or how big or small your school/district may be: if a student is brave enough to consider what “could be” and even braver to ask someone else their opinion or idea, EAST becomes a place where innovation and possibility become answers, opportunities, and solutions to the needs of others.

When asked how she plans to support EAST in the future, she laughed as she explained: “Well, pastors are gifted at talking and telling, so I will always tell the story of what EAST does for others! But beyond that, I am always eager to invest in EAST students with my time, resources, or talents to encourage what is developing in them. EAST builds community and strengthens existing communities, and I love being able to support something that pure and good in our world.”

“ It doesn’t matter where you are from, what your background is, what your family’s economics look like, or how big or small your school/district may be: if a student is brave enough to consider what “could be” and even braver to ask someone else their opinion or idea, EAST becomes a place where innovation and possibility become answers, opportunities, and solutions to the needs of others. ”