College and Career Motivation Day at Gideons Elementary

Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman John H. Eaves, Ph.D with Gideons Elementary students.

Gideons Elementary School held its College and Career Motivation Day on January 25, 2013. Over forty professionals representing a vast array of professions along with Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Davis and Assistant Superintendent Smith gathered at Gideons and spoke to the elementary students. The importance of elementary, middle and high school studies was stressed along with going on to collegiate studies. Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, John H. Eaves, Ph.D spoke to the students at length about his scholastic career, his career path, the importance of being a leader and making the right choices. Chairman Eaves stated, “The whole point of this is; do your homework, do well in school, listen to your teachers, finish Gideons, finish middle school, finish high school and go on to college. Be a success in life. Go in a positive way. You have to figure out where you want to go and do the right things to get you there. I want you to do the right things so you can get there.”

Musician, business owner and APS Alumni Jerry Freeman at Gideons Elementary.

Musician and business owner Jerry Freeman talked to the students about staying in school and following the passions. Mr. Freeman is a graduate of Grove Park Elementary, Frederick Douglass High School, Clark Atlanta and Georgia Tech and has won numerous awards and acclaim as a featured musician on platinum selling recordings and has performed on The Jay Leno and David Letterman shows. Mr. Freeman, “I had a decision to make. I ended up going to Clark Atlanta University and Georgia Tech on a dual degree scholarship, majoring in mathematics and engineering. I’ve worked in corporate America with two major corporations. I then followed my passion, which has always been music. What’s most important? It’s choices. Every single day comes with choices to make. Make sure you make the right ones for your present and future success.”

Dr. Angela Fleming and Dr. Nikki Harris at Gideons Elementary.

Dr. Tyra Harris at Gideons Elementary.

Chiropractic doctors Nikki Harris and Angela Fleming discussed the human nervous system and the educational paths they took to become doctors. The students took part in an interactive participation with Drs. Harris and Fleming which showed the interaction between the brain, nerves, spine and body, that led to a lengthy and informative question and answer session about the education and preparation to become a doctor and other professions in the medical industry. Dr. Tyra Harris, a family medical doctor, let the students know that with hard work and dedication, they could be anything they set their minds to being. Looking into professions at an early age was discussed by Dr. Harris, “You should look for a profession and people in the profession that you admire. Ask them if you can visit them for some time and see what they do in their daily lives as a professional. You should connect yourself with them so that you can get a good feeling of what they do so that you can decide if that’s something you want to do with your life. Becoming a doctor takes dedication, hard work, listening skills and being a student for the rest of your professional life. Be young and enjoy this time in your life and be thinking about what you want to be when you grow up. What you do now does matter.”

Gideons Elementary is grateful and appreciative for the time and wisdom these wonderful professionals imparted to the students. College and Career Motivation Day was a success at Gideons!