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Name:
Title of your project:
- MAC (Minority Achievement Committee) Summer Scholars Academy
Abstract of your project:
- Last summer I worked with a group of 14 African American high school sophomores in Columbia, Missouri. These students had been identified by their junior high school teachers as having exceptional grades, however none of them had ever taken an honors or an AP course. The program was designed to give the students rigorous coursework in literature, history, and writing to prepare them for more advanced courses. The district agreed to give the students one course credit upon completion of the summer Academy. In addition to their academic work, I created activities to help the students learn more about prominent medical issues in the African American community. We also discussed various newspaper and magazine articles regarding prevalent topics in the Black community and we watched a video each week that dealt with the topics we were discussing either in our literature or history lessons. Additionally, we traveled to Kansas City to tour the Negro Leagues Baseball History Museum and the American Jazz Museum (for many of the students this was their first time traveling outside of Columbia). At the end of the program, the students were required to create a project that summarized the lessons they learned during the summer program. They presented their projects at the District Board Office for various school officials, district educators, and their families.
What did you learn as a Stern Scholar?
- I learned a lot both in and out of the classroom as a Stern Scholar. Inside the classroom my students helped me to see my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. They challenged me to be creative and to create an environment where each of them would feel comfortable taking chances in an effort to realize their potential. I also learned that financial backing can get your foot in the door to making a difference, but your passion, time, and perseverance are what will keep you there.
What advice would you give Stern Scholarship Applicants?
- Be sure to use your imagination in planning your project. You can make a big difference simply by putting in your time, energy, and effort...the money just helps to enhance the possibilities.
How would you describe the Stern Summer Service Scholarship?
- The Stern Summer Service Scholarship is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a unique experience for undergraduate students because it allows you to pursue something that you are passionate about by providing the resources to make it feasible.
What are you doing now - and how did the Stern Scholarship influence your current pursuits?
- I am currently doing research as a Mellon Minority Undergraduate Fellow in the field of education. Running the summer program gave me a lot of insight as to where the school system is lacking support for African American students and I plan to use this information to further my research. I keep in close contact with the school district superintendent, and with the principal from one of the high schools in Columbia and we plan to use the data I collect to make changes in the system. The superintendent has already used some of the comments and concerns that I collected from the summer scholars to make changes in the mathematics curriculum so that more African American students are given the opportunity to take upper level mathematics courses. I have a passion for children, youth, and America's education system and it is wonderful to see permanent changes in a school system because of opportunities provided by the Stern Summer Service Scholarship.
Other thoughts/comments?
- If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. The Stern experience is definitely worthwhile and the impact can and will last far beyond the summer if you allow it to do so.
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