Students at Brown Middle School spent time this week with Susan L. Taylor, founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine. Taylor’s organization, National CARES Mentoring Movement, announced the launch of a pilot program for 40 of the school’s sixth grade students, all of whom have been selected to participate in the mentoring program. “Mentoring is all about caring,” said Taylor. “It’s caring enough to commit just one hour a week to advise and help guide a vulnerable young person. None of the forces claiming our children’s lives are more powerful than our commitment and love. We are the solution.”
The National CARES Mentoring Movement is a community-engagement effort committed to closing the gap between the relatively few mentors and the many children in need of mentoring support. Working through a growing national network of nearly 60 CARES Mentor-Recruitment Affiliates, CARES has recruited thousands of mentors who are serving more than 125,000 children. The National CARES Mentoring Movement joined forces with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) and the presidents of six Historically Black Colleges and Universities to pilot an innovative, multi-layered mentoring initiative called The Rising. The initiative elevates literacy, STEM compentancies, character building and self-efficacy and instills a passion for learning among challenged readers in primarily under-resourced, predominantly Black schools that neighbor HBCU campuses. 
The Rising’s distinctive components include an engaging curriculum that uses cultural and intellectual works of African-Americans to teach core STEM disciplines and increase literacy. Students at Brown Middle will also be provided with interactive instruction that allows them to learn through doing by using their STEM skills. Additionally, the program will connect the CARES students at Brown Middle School to college students who are mentors and role models. Click here for more information about The National CARES Mentoring Movement or to learn how you can serve as a mentor.
Ms. Tiauna Crooms, the new principal of Brown Middle School, recently implemented the Students With Absolute Greatness Academy.
Each month teachers select students to be recognized as a member of the academy based on their academic performance, work ethic, and citizenship skills.
Ms. Crooms held a luncheon for the first group of students on September 17th, where they received recognition and were officially sworn into the academy.
As an introduction to the 2013-2014 school year, the Brown Middle School Media Center team conducted an orientation and book checkout drive during the first month of school. 
Part of the implementation of Common Core Curriculum literacy skills, as well as college and career readiness, all language arts classes participated in a media center services scavenger-hunt.
The task included locating books from different genres, looking up books available online and accessing downloadable books.
The Brown Middle School Media Center’s mission statement is to “ensure that students are effective users of information” and their goal is to help students strengthen their skills in reading, research, and information literacy.
During the school’s media center orientation, students checked out over 518 books!
On Friday, August 30th, students at Brown Middle School paraded the halls in their favorite college colors.
Students at Brown Middle School are engaged in college and career readiness instruction throughout the year as they visit college campuses, learn about colleges across the country and participate in college fairs.
College Colors Day exposes students to colleges and universities and promotes pride in perspective post-secondary institutions.
Teachers and administrators participated in the day by showing off their college gear as well.
Name: Bianca McCrary
Grade: 8th Grade
School: Coan Middle
Bianca is a cheerful 8th grader who loves to share her talent in music. She started learning violin in 3rd grade, and has been inseparable with her instrument ever since. “I love playing the violin because it helps me express my emotions, relieves stress, and helps people understand me and how I feel musically,” Bianca says. In her spare time, she enjoys performing at the senior citizen home and uplifting others with cheerful melodies.
She is a violinist in Coan’s string orchestra, and performed a duet at Coan Middle’s Fine Arts Festival. She is thankful to Ms.Bridgette Yancy, Coan’s Orchestra Teacher, and Ms. Catherine Price, Teaching Artist from Atlanta Music Project, for their guidance in her progress and techniques. “They are fantastic teachers and will always encourage you to play to the best of your ability,” Bianca says.
Bianca is a motivated student who makes all A’s and B’s in school. She is part of the Junior National beta Club, and is applying for the IB program at Jackson High School. Bianca also volunteers at a local nursery by reading to the children. Her dream is to become a pediatrician when she grows up, so she can work with kids and improve their health. “They love it when I come and read to them, and I want to start my own pediatric clinic in the future,” she says. Overall, Bianca is a talented and uplifting role model for children as well as her peers, and a positive influence to everyone around her.
Name: Jenny Nguyen
Grade: 8th Grade
School: Brown Middle School
A highly motivated and intelligent young lady, Jenny Nguyen, is an engaging member of the Brown Middle School Gifted & Talented Academy. In her second year at Brown, Jenny strives for excellence in all her classes. She continues to earn all A’s and has been recognized on the Principal’s List.
It is obvious that education is extremely important to Jenny. A fervent reader, Jenny is often found with the latest fantasy novel or anything that peaks her interest. In fact she has been known to read as many as three books at a time or a novel in a single day. After high school, Jenny plans to attend college and major in medicine. She wants to pursue a career as a neonatal specialist because she enjoys taking care of babies. Her role models are her parents and her brother.
Jenny’s other passion aside from reading is folding origami. She is quite skilled and can make boxes, flowers, and stars.
This year, Jenny was selected to participate in a Saturday program at Spelman College. She had the opportunity to visit science and technology classes and learn about magnetism. She worked with a group to program a robot. As a member of the BMS Honor Band, Jenny plays the clarinet. She enjoys playing at school events including the basketball games, BMS Winter Program, this month’s Black History Program and an upcoming special performance at the State Capitol.
Jenny contributes to the community as a member of the BMS Notty Blanket Club, a service project which makes blankets for the homeless. Jenny is an amazingly well-rounded young lady, and her dedication to academics is inspiring. She is eager to help her classmates with difficult concepts and is always a team player. Jenny’s teachers are confident that she will be successful in all her endeavors.
Name: Anthony Johnson
Grade: 4th Grade
School: Slater Elementary School
On any given day you can walk into Slater Elementary School and ask about Anthony Johnson. Teachers’ eyes begin to beam, smiles start to form, and a multitude of positive praises flow from their mouths. Anthony is phenomenal fourth grade student at Slater. He is a member of the National Honors Society, a manager of the SunTrust Youth Bank, and one of the highest performing students in the city. In 2012, Anthony exceeded in all subjects on the 3rd grade CRCT. He scored above a 900 in four of the five subject areas. His math score was only one question away from being perfect.
Despite his community and environment, Anthony stays focused. Anthony’s homeroom teacher Ms. Mailloux stated, “Anthony is always very focused and optimistic about his learning. Anthony is very helpful with other students during the school day. He is always willing to tutor his peers when needed. Everything that Anthony does is above and beyond.”
Anthony’s helpful ways do not stop in the classroom. Anthony frequently volunteers with his church’s recreation league and he mows his neighbors’ yards without asking for a dime.
“Anthony is a diligent worker and a leader within the classroom. He is a person that never gives up. He always makes sure that he uses his critical thinking skills within the classroom. He is creative and innovative. He cares about his community and he shows this by volunteering with his church,” says Mr. Gusta, a teacher at Slater and the advisor of the National Honors Society.
Anthony has abounding aspirations for his future. He plans to attend the prestigious Harvard University after graduating high school. He is enthusiastic about studying political science at Harvard. He will one day work with the Democratic Party and aspires to be the President of the United States.
“It is every teacher’s desire to have a student in the classroom just like Anthony,” says Mrs. Bowden, Anthony’s 3rd grade teacher. “I have no doubt that Anthony will be successful in his future endeavors. Anthony never complains. No task is ever out of his range. He thrives from competition, but he is selfless in his attempt to motivate other students to elevate their thinking.”
Anthony is well-rounded as well. He enjoys playing sports when he isn’t working on his studies or volunteering. Baseball and basketball are some of his favorite athletic activities.
“I recognized Anthony’s future potential when he was a second grade student in my reading class. His stoic demeanor, unstoppable drive, and loving personality are all ingredients in his recipe for success. He is one special child and everyone that encounters him knows it,” praises Slater Elementary teacher Ms. Fick.
Anthony Johnson will certainly be an Atlanta Public School success story in the future. Plan to see Anthony’s name on your ballot in the future.
written by Tiffany Fick, Educator at Slater Elementary
Name: Nolan Edmonds
School: Sutton Middle School
Grade: 7th
Seventh-grader Nolan Edmonds has been honing his skills on the gridiron since he was six-years-old. Finally last month, after six years of hard work, grit and perseverance on the field, the Sutton Middle School running back and defensive back earned the opportunity to showcase his amazing athleticism to the nation — and he did it at the world-famous Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Nolan was selected to join an elite group of youth football players in Georgia who represented the state and their schools in the only event of its kind: the Football University (FBU )National Championship, an event many describe as “March Madness meets the Little League World Series.” During the championship 64 teams from the U.S. and Canada represent their states or provinces, and compete in a single-elimination tournament to earn the most prestigious title in youth football – National Champion.
The All-American Games (AAG) created FBU’s 40-state National Championship to allow America’s top seventh and eighth-grade players to compete against each other, and according to the organization, the opportunity prepares athletes for optimal performance on the football field.
Nygel, Nolan’s older brother, played on the seventh and eighth-grade FBU All- American teams, and Nolan was all too excited to follow in his brother’s footsteps. On January 6 Nolan played with the Eastbay All-American team in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Nolan’s spectacular performance contributed to the team’s 40-7 win.
But Nolan’s talents extend beyond his footwork on the football field, and he is far from the stereotypical jock. The 5’5”, 140 lb. athlete also excels at track and field. Nolan was named team captain when he played in the All-American bowl because of his performance and his stellar leadership on the field. And his performance in the classroom is equally strong. As an honor roll student, he has a long history of making ‘As’, he enjoys reading and drawing and he is an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). And somehow the seventh-grader still finds time to give back to the community by volunteering at MUST Ministries, a food and clothing bank.
Nolan Edmonds has all the characteristics of true superstar, and readers should take time to remember his name. Chances are, we’ll be hearing it a lot .
On November 29th, International delegates and educators from the Global Peace Convention visited King Middle School for a site visit of the Leadership Academy program. The special guests included representatives from Global Peace Foundation, Washington Aid International Teens (WAIT), Department of Human Family Service, Afterschool All stars, teacher leaders from Kenya, Ireland, Iraq, and members of parliament from Uganda. Partners from the federal level, state level, and non-profit were present to learn and be informed about the Leadership Academy.
The program of the visitation included introductions, statements by partners, discussion of future plans, and testimonials by two Leadership Academy students from King Middle School. The guests joined the Leadership Academy with the students and enjoyed watching their interactive demonstrations and exercises.
The Leadership program was started in March of 2011, and is a character and leadership development program facilitated by college students. They teach students to become moral and innovative leaders through practical discussions and interactive exercises. They illustrate how leaders are not determined by age or position, but by their attitude and initiatives. This program is currently active at King Middle and Brown Middle School.
“Today our partners from agencies, non-profit, business, federal and state assembled to coordinate a way to work together in effort to have a positive impact in the lives of students in this school and others.” Tony Devine, Executive Director of Lead In.
For more information, please visit www.leadin.org.
ATLANTA – Elisha R. Gray, a special education teacher at Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School, was named APS Teacher of the Year for 2011-12, during a special awards ceremony this evening at South Atlanta High School.
As a teacher of students with significant cognitive disabilities, Ms. Gray learns daily from her students what it means to achieve success, despite debilitating circumstances. Her motto is: “I see abilities, not disabilities.”
In addition to her classroom duties, Ms. Gray is the National Beta Club sponsor, as well as the author of “Motivational Monday”, a weekly email message dedicated to the empowerment of educators. She also contributes her time, talent and skills to the development of new teachers as a teacher mentor.
“Ms. Gray represents thousands of APS educators in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district; their spirit, dedication and hard work nurture and enhance the lives of our students,” said Superintendent Erroll B. Davis, Jr. “I am extremely proud of Ms. Gray and all of our talented educators who support the mission of educating today’s children for tomorrow’s world.”
As APS Teacher of the Year for 2011-112, Ms. Gray automatically becomes a candidate for Georgia Teacher of the Year, which will be decided later in the school year.
Ms. Gray earned her undergraduate degree in public relations from Howard University, and her master’s degree in special education from Grand Canyon University.
Runners up for APS Teacher of the Year are Ashley A. Kulik of Mary Lin Elementary School and Ester Y. Walters Jordan of Joseph Brown Middle School.
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The Winter 2010 issue of the award-winning Atlanta Educator, a product of the Atlanta Public Schools’ Office of Communications, hits the streets this week to celebrate the many business and community partnerships that help our students in their journey to excellence.
In this issue, read all about the collaboration with KaBOOM!, which helps schools and community partners build a playground in one memorable day. Read about author and former Atlanta Brave Brian Jordan’s commitment to the students of APS and his recent visit to Centennial Place Elementary. Walk with Karen Riggins-Taylor, middle school principal at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, as she tours Graphic Packaging International with CEO David Scheible. And you’ll visit Turkey with Bolton Academy kindergarten teacher Claudine Curry as she shares her experiences with the global social-media group ePals.
The West End Academy, Performance Learning Center and Brown Middle School have decided to provide a safe and healthy environment where students feel free to learn. On Saturday, March 20, they will join forces to host the first Bullying Prevention and Gang Violence Awareness Rally in the West End community. A march will begin at Brown Middle at 8 a.m. and run through the West End community BeltLine and will end up at the park across from West End Academy. A program will feature representatives from the offices of Mayor Kasim Reed and City Councilman Caesar Mitchell.
They are inviting all churches, Boys and Girls Club, childcare and daycare centers, elementary schools and businesses to participate and support the event and effort. The rally is designed to help parents, children, youth, and neighbors recognize the importance of reducing and eradicating bullying in schools and neighborhoods.
The event will mark the foundational point to actively engage our children, youth, community leaders, school personnel, and business leaders in a joint venture; the two schools hope to accomplish building positive school environments, raise awareness of effects of bullying, student activities that address bullying and many other activities.
This event is for everyone; so for more information regarding this event, please contact Lisa Wilson or Rosie McCoy at (404) 755-7755.
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