Category Archives: Education

75 Students from 62 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Named 2014 HBCU All-Stars

U.S. Department of Education
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU) today announced its first class of HBCU All-Stars, recognizing 75 undergraduate, graduate and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and civic engagement. Currently enrolled at 62 HBCUs, the All-Stars were selected from 445 students who submitted completed applications that included a transcript, resume, essay and recommendation. The HBCU All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative by providing outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource.

“Engaging with the next generation of leaders who will graduate from HBCUs and go on to make meaningful contributions to society is crucial to the success of our community, our country and our global competitiveness,” said George Cooper, executive director of the WHIHBCUs. “It is a privilege to announce these 75 students who have demonstrated a commitment to both their own academic achievement and making a difference in their communities, and we look forward to working with them as partners in advancing President Obama’s college completion goal.”

Over the course of the next year — through social media and their relationships with community-based organizations — the All-Stars will share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential. In addition, the 45 female and 30 male All-Stars will participate in regional events and web chats with Ivory Toldson, deputy director of the WHIHBCUs, other Initiative staff and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. They will also have opportunities to engage with other scholars to showcase individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.

More information about the activities of the 75 HBCU All-Stars will be provided in the coming months as they carry out their role as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Attached is a list of the 2014 HBCU All-Stars in alphabetical order by the state and city they are from, the school they attend and the school’s location.

2014 HBCU All Stars

ALABAMA

Aliceville–Keiwan Harris –attends Concordia College Alabama, Selma, AL

Huntsville–Sharesse Mason –attends Alabama A&M University, Normal

Mobile–Justin Wells –attends Bishop State Community College, Mobile, AL

Tuscaloosa–Morgan Curry –attends Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL

Tuscaloosa–Jeraun Pouge –attends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL

Talladega–Chuck Stewart –attends Talladega College, Talladega, AL

Tuskegee—Kalauna Carter –attends Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

ARKANSAS

Little Rock–Chelsea Fox –attends Philander Smith, Little Rock, AR

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles–Nicole Tinson –attends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA

Fresno–Arogeanae Brown –attends Virginia State University, Petersbury, Virginia

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Tyrone Hankerson –attends Howard University, District of Columbia

-Jocelyn Cole –attends Howard University, District of Columbia

-LaTrice Clayburn –attends Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC

Abdul Nurriddin –attends University of the District of Columbia Community College, District of Columbia

FLORIDA

Daytona–Shantel Braynen –attends Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL

Tallahassee–Jamil McGinnis –attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee–Jazmyne Simmons –attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Miami–Jonte Myers –attends Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL

Orlando–Vivian Nweze –attends Howard University, District of Columbia

GEORGIA

Riverdale–Kelcey Wright –attends Albany State University, Albany, GA

Atlanta–Lillian Harris –attends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA

Rex–Elijah Porter –attends Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA

Atlanta–Cameron Weathers –attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA

Atlanta–David Johnny –attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA

Atlanta–Sarah Dillard –attends Savannah State University, Savannah, GA

Albany–Bria Carrithers –attends Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

KENTUCKY

Frankfort–Chaundra Bush –attends Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY

LOUISIANA

Grambling–Breonna Ward –attends Grambling State University, Grambling, LA

Ruston–Brooke Battiste –attends Grambling State University, Grambling, LA

Zachary–Robert Chambers –attends Southern University A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA

MARYLAND

Accokeek–Symone Jordan –attends Bowie State University, Bowie, MD

Fort Washington–Kayla Reynolds –attends Delaware State University, Dover, DE

Baltimore–Triston Bing-Young –attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

Fort Washington–Trevor McKie –attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

Silver Spring–Chanel Banks –attends University Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

Princess Anne–So Jin Park –attends University Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

MISSISSIPPI

Brookhaven–Lawrence Warren –attends Alcorn State University, Alcorn, MS

Jackson–Candace Chambers –attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

Itta Bena–Rodney Rice –attends Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS

Holly Springs–Larrance Carter –attends Rust College, Holly Springs, MS

Bolton–Kisa Harris –attends Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS

NORTH CAROLINA

Greensboro–Jasmine Everett –attends Bennett College, Greensboro, NC

Raleigh–Victoria Jones –attends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

Whiteville–Valerie Edwards –attends Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC

Gates–Amanda Eure –attends Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC

Charlotte–Jheanelle Linton –attends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC

Greensboro–Shakera Fudge –attends North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University, Greensboro

Greensboro–Leon White –attends North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University, Greensboro

Knightdale–Joseph Wyatt –attends St. Augustine’s University, Raleigh, NC

Winston-Salem–Georges Guillame –attends Winston Salem State University, Winston Salem, NC

NEW JERSEY

Newark–Akirah Crawford –attends Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA

OKLAHOMA

Ardmore–Beautiful- Joy Fields –attends Langston University, Langston, OK

PENNSYLVANIA

Chester–Ahn-yea Graham –attends Cheyney University of PA, Cheyney, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Leesville–Rodrea Zeigler –attends Allen University, Columbia, SC

Orangeburg–Jessica Mong –attends Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC

Lynchburg–Refugio Banuelos –attends Morris College, Sumter, SC

Orangeburg–Harold Rickenbacker –attends South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

Orangeburg–Jasmine Harris –attends South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

TENNESSEE

Nashville–Ciera Carter –attends Fisk University, Nashville, TN

Jackson–Stephanie Phillips –attends Lane College, Jackson, TN

Memphis–Gilbert Carter –attends LeMoyne- Owen College, Memphis, TN

Nashville–Ciera Scales –attends Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Nashville–Jeremiah Cooper –attends Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Jackson–Aneesa Sood –attends Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

TEXAS

Houston–Antoine Southern –attends Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL

Dallas–Priscilla Barbour –attends Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX

Cedar Hill–Glenn Johnson –attends Texas College, Tyler, TX

Houston–Jarrauri Curry –attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

Houston–Candace Jones –attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

Garland–Jade Crutch –attends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA

VIRGINIA

Suffolk–Chanae LeGrier –attends Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC

Dendron–Whitney Johnson –attends Hampton University, Hampton, VA

Richmond–Caprichia Moses –attends Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Christiansted–Shereena Cannonier –attends Lincoln University PA, Lincoln, PA

Christiansted–Kevin Dixon –attends University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, USVI

School Choice Fairs Scheduled Across Houston

The Houston Independent School District is hosting several school choice fairs across the district to inform parents of the different educational choices available to their children as they transition into middle and high school.

“HISD offers excellent opportunities to meet your child’s needs, challenge their thinking, and develop their skills,” said Dave Wheat, HISD assistant superintendent for school choice. “But most importantly, we prepare them for success in college and their careers.”

Representatives from HISD’s middle and high school magnet programs will be on site to answer questions about the new online application option and assist parents in making the best school choice for their children.

Information will also be provided on HISD’s specialty programs including early college high schools, multilingual programs, new Futures Academies, and other school choices to meet the unique needs, talents, and interests of every child. These schools are open to all children, including those who live outside HISD.

Magnet applications for the 2014-2015 school year will be accepted from Nov. 4 to Dec. 20, 2013 for guaranteed consideration in the first round of applicants.

For more information, contact the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947 or visit houstonisd.org/magnet. HISD School Choice fairs will be from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

(School Choice Fairs for elementary school students transitioning to middle school in 2014-2015)
Oct. 15: Whidby Elementary School, 7625 Springhill
Oct. 22: Crespo Elementary School, 7500 Office City
Nov. 5: Walnut Bend Elementary School, 10620 Briar Forest
Nov. 12: Roberts Elementary School, 6000 Greenbriar
Nov. 19: Shadydale Elementary School, 5909 Tidwell
(School Choice Fairs for middle school students transitioning to high school in 2014-2015)

Oct. 17: Dowling Middle School, 14000 Stancliff
Oct. 24: Stevenson Middle School, 9595 Winkler
Nov. 7: Revere Middle School, 10502 Briar Forest
Nov. 14: Pin Oak Middle School, 4601 Glenmont
Nov. 21: Forest Brook Middle School, 7525 Tidwell

NNPA-Texas Southern sign Internship MOU

Publisher Bobby Henry, Sr. Westside-Gazzsette, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Dr. John Rudley, president Texas Southern University, NNPA Chairman Clovis Campbell, Arizona Informant, Phoenix, AZ; Publisher Dorris Ellis Robinson, The Houston Sun and Publisher Jacequeline Hampton, Mississippi Link. Henry, Dorris Ellis Robinson and Hampton are members of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities NNPA Initiative committee with Henry and Dorris Ellis Robinson as co-chairs.
Publisher Bobby Henry, Sr. Westside-Gazzsette, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Dr. John Rudley, president Texas Southern University, NNPA Chairman Clovis Campbell, Arizona Informant, Phoenix, AZ; Publisher Dorris Ellis Robinson, The Houston Sun and Publisher Jacequeline Hampton, Mississippi Link. Henry, Dorris Ellis Robinson and Hampton are members of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities NNPA Initiative committee with Henry and Dorris Ellis Robinson as co-chairs.

By:D J Mickey- The Houston Sun

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) committee made momentous history for the future of the media industry when it signed an internship Memorandum of Understanding with Texas Southern University’s President, Dr. John Rudley, the President of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Council of Presidents during the NNPA Board meeting in Washington, DC on September 19. The MOU outlined collaboration strategies to advance journalism and business initiatives through the use and training of interns who are pursuing careers in the media, communications and business. Students will work with editors and publishers in print, digital, film and social media along with marketing, design and event planning. The university’s  School of Communication and the Jesse H. Jones School of Business will supply the interns and monitor their progress.

Participating in the signing was Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D. TX 18th). Lee praised NNPA for its vision for the nation’s college students and thanked NNPA Chairman Clovis Campbell, Jr., publisher Arizona Informant;  her constituent and  Co-chairperson, Dorris Ellis Robinson, publisher The Houston Sun, Co-chair Bobby R. Henry, publisher of the Westside Gazette, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Chairman of NNPA/HBCU Initiative, and Jacqueline Hampton, publisher of Mississippi Link  and NNPA/HBCU committee member for designing the initiative whereby students will benefit.

Speaking with pride, Rudley said, “I am proud that Texas Southern University is the first to sign such an important MOU with NNPA as it will help our students learn and provide international access to further opportunities by engaging in this effort.” He continued by saying that the collaboration will expand and reach into   the other SWAC  Member Schools (10)

Alabama A&M University“Bulldogs”

Huntsville,   AL

Alabama State University“Hornets”

Montgomery,   AL

Alcorn State University“Braves

Alcorn   State, MS

Univ. of Arkansas at Pine   Bluff“Golden Lions”

Pine   Bluff, AR

Grambling State University“Tigers”

Grambling,   LA

Jackson State University“Tigers”

Jackson,   MS

Mississippi Valley State   University“Delta Devils”

Itta   Bena, MS

Prairie View A&M University“Panthers”

Prairie   View, TX

Southern University & A&M   College“Jaguars”

Baton   Rouge, LA

Texas Southern University“Tigers”

Houston,   TX”

 

NNPA Chairman Campbell, Jr. said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the NNPA has agreed to with Texas Southern University and the SWAC Conference is monumental. This agreement displays NNPA’s commitment to young African American students and our pledge to reach out to the next generation of leaders. It is only the beginning of The Black Press and Historically Black Colleges and Universities joining forces to ensure that the legacy of both organizations. As our future leaders find their niche and make history, the NNPA will be there to record it.”

Former President of Bennett College Dr. Julianne Malveaux said, “This is a good thing that NNPA is doing. I only wish that you could have gotten started earlier. The students will benefit from this opportunity.”  Ellis Robinson said, “This is an opening to do more with young readers of all media platforms that emanates from an idea of my late husband, Lona1 Robinson who had a vision of expanding what we did at the Houston Sun to NNPA by working the HBCU conferences through sports and subsequently the editorial side of the business. I am delighted that Chairman Campbell gave the nod so that the HBCU committee of Henry, Hampton and Shannon Williams, Indianapolis Recorder could make it happen. A special note of appreciation is extended to our TSU partners of VP Wendy Adair who lead the effort for TSU with the support of Eva Scott and her staff” Ellis Robinson concluded, “I know that this will make a positive difference.”

“It is my hopes and aspirations that this initiative between the NNPA and HBCUs will be the umbilical cord that keeps the Black Press alive, vibrant and successful in telling our own story and pleading our own cause!” said, Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

Dean James Ward, Texas Southern University School of Communication is ready to get started and so is NNPA Editor George Curry. Conversations have begun to execute the implementation process as the agreement activates in the spring semester of 2014.

Dr. Rudley and Chairman Campbell signed the MOU in front of the NNPA membership and a standing room only crowd at the W Hotel during the NNPA Annual Leadership Reception in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference.

Excerpts from the MOU

 

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed by and between the HBCU Texas Southern University and NNPA as follows:

 

To ensure the success of the project the roles and responsibilities each organization are set below:

 

Resources HBCU and TSU will contribute to the project either through time, in-kind

contribution  by supplying interns from the Department of Communication and the TSU Jesse H. Jones School of Business who will learn the media business and train as writers, photographers, distribution management, designers, event development sales and marketing  training. Interns will be engaged in in the editorial, public relations, visual arts, print, digital and social media platforms along with special event development and implementation.

Representatives of the NNPA planning and development team who will be responsible for

planning, developing, and implementing project activities as they will work with TSU to provide the following services: establishment of a News Wire services for students who can post media for print, digital and social media platforms together and work with project staff. NNPA staff will pledge to cover and publish the University’s events for posting through individual publications or via pooling for posting and editing by the NNPA editor.

 

The parties will expressly demonstrate a commitment on the part of all partners to work together to achieve stated project goals and to sustain the project.

 

NNPA will provide supervision, access for students, media credentials as needed, training and guidance in the editorial, public relations, visual arts, and print, digital and social media platforms.

The Community Just Us Coalition hosts Voter Registration Drive & Candidate Dialogue

cjusvoterflyer

Houston, TX – The Community Just Us Coalition hosts Voter Registration Drive & Candidate Dialogue, Friday, October 4, 2013, starting promptly at 7:00 PM at Shape Community Center (3903 Almeda Road).

With the passing of new Voter ID Laws, text book revisions and state lawsuits Community Just Us steps up to the plate to raise awareness for the upcoming November 2013 elections in Harris County by registering and educating voters. We have invited various candidates campaigning to partake in a dialogue with the community to share their platforms and offer transparency to the voters of the Greater Houston Area. In a candid bipartisan setting, many candidates will have an opportunity to address the community directly as they register to vote for the upcoming elections in November.

The Voter Registration Drive & Candidate Dialogue is free and open to the public. You can register online at www.cjuvote2013.eventbrite.com.

Community Just Us organizes for active and progressive change in our communities fostering quantitative and long-term results. We meet every Friday at Shape Community Center at 7 PM. Be involved today by putting in the work! Visit our web site at www.communityjustus.com.

Organization Contact
Patrick Davis
Community Just Us
Communications/Outreach Department
Tel: +1(832) 344-5275
Email: communications@communityjustus.com

cjusvoterflyer

Houston public schools finalist for $550,000 prize

HOUSTON (AP) _ Houston’s public school district is a finalist for more than a half-million dollars in college scholarships for its high school seniors.

The scholarships come in a private foundation’s annual recognition of student achievement gains in big-city school districts.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is to reveal the winner of the 2013 Broad (BROHD) Prize for Urban Education on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The foundation was founded by Los Angeles-based philanthropist Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe.

The Houston Independent School District won the first Broad Prize in 2002 and was a 2012 finalist. It’s a finalist again with districts from Riverside County, Calif., San Diego and Cumberland County, N.C.

The $550,000 top prize goes to the district showing strongest student improvements while reducing achievement gaps among low-income and minority students.

Changes for HISD

School is almost back in session and there are many changes that will take effect this year in Houston Independent School District (HISD).

James D. Ryan Middle School will be re-purposed as the Baylor College of Medicine at Ryan and the previous students of Ryan will now attend Cullen Middle School. The standards for graduation and testing will change as well, while the students of North Forest will become new students of HISD.

New beginnings for Third Ward

Upon the closure of historical James D. Ryan Middle School many community member of Third Ward were outraged and bewildered by the shutting down of such a pivotal school that is a known feeder into Jack Yates Senior HIgh. Ryan’s students will now be bussed or transported 4 miles to Cullen Middle School where they will fill a school that too had the same issue of low attendance. Before the closure of Ryan the student population had fallen to 263. HISD school board cited that low attendance and financial mismanagement led to the closing of Ryan. By consolidating the two middle schools it will at least save Cullen from the threat of closure as well.
Baylor College of Medicine takes over old Ryan

The doors of Ryan will not close verbatim as Baylor College of Medicine will take over the campus and form a magnet school for health and science.

“In association with Baylor College of Medicine, the Baylor College of Medicine Academy (BCMA) at Ryan will provide a rigorous curriculum founded on project-based, hands-on learning to 6th–8th grade students. Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credits, explore pathways in health and biomedical science, and become ready for challenging high school academic programs,” according to the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.

Students will have rigorous curriculum, hands on learning, project based learning with 21st century health science and computer labs. The curriculum will have courses such as bioengineering, neuroscience and Latin as a foreign language. The academy is designed to prepare students for careers in medicine, dentistry, allied health professions, biomedical sciences, pharmacy and biomedical engineering. BCMA is the feeder school for Debakey High School for Health Professionals.
What about North Forest?

The students that made up North Forest ISD will now be a part of the student body of HISD. This will be a historical moment when the predominately African American school district will have to surrender to HISD’s custody. North Forest ISD was annexed into HISD on July 1, 2013 after a battle that even drew down support and legal action from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The civil rights case did not hold up and now the name of the district will change but the school buildings will remain and the children will stay inside their community.

The changes the children will see once school starts will mostly be new principals and the reassignment of school buildings. The principals will be, Dr. Kimberly Agnew-Borders, Fonwood Early Childhood Center, Tammie Daily, Shadydale Elementary, Maggie Gardea, B.C. Elmore Elementary, Hilarion Martinez, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Mike Walker, Hilliard Elementary, Rick Fernandez, Forest Brook Middle School, Pam Farinas, North Forest High School.

The changes in the usage of the buildings will be Fonwood Elementary becoming an Early Childhood Center, Thurgood Marshall Early Childhood Center will be an elementary school, Elmore Middle School will be an elementary school, Elmore Middle students will be zoned to Forest Brook and Key Middle Schools, Lakewood students will be zoned to Hilliard and Elmore Elementary Schools and Lakewood Elementary will be closed.
Changes to testing in HISD

HISD students should call and thank their State Representative Alma Allen for working on the House Bill 5 that reduced the number of test from 15 to 5 as well as the graduation criteria.
Graduation Plans

Starting this year students will have a new foundation plan that only requires 22 credits for graduation. Students will need four English Language Arts, three Math and three Science, three Social Studies, two Foreign Language, one Fine Art, one Physical Education and five Electives.

Some schools offer different programs and for students to graduate with a distinguished recognition on their diploma they must have an endorsement from one of the following five programs, STEM, Business and Industry, Public Services, Arts and Humanities and Multidisciplinary Studies.

The full criteria for students to graduate distinguished are all requirements met on the foundation program, an endorsement and an Algebra II credit. Students who achieve the distinguished recognition will be eligible for college admissions under the Top 10 percent automatic admissions provision.
Testing

The state testing requirements have been reduced from 15 to 5 tests a year. Students will only have to take English Arts I &II, Algebra I, Biology and US History.
Accountability

The students aren’t the only ones who will be graded as the schools will be evaluated on their Academic Performance, Financial Performance and Community and Student Engagement. Schools are required to have at least three additional indicators of academic performance as determined by the Commissioner of Education, which may include, percentage of students graduating with endorsements or distinguished level of performance, number of students earning college credit and number of students earning workforce certificates.

“This allows local communities to engage in the accountability process by requiring districts to set goals and evaluate performance locally in addition to state ratings,” said State Representative Alma Allen.

The students and parents of HISD as well as the old North Forest have many changes ahead of them this school year. The school district and the state of Texas have made adjustments with the hopes of better educational opportunities for the every growing Houston Independent School District. School starts August 26, 2013.

Third Ward’s homegrown STEM program: CSTEM Teacher and Student Support Services

Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

At first glance Reagan Flowers does not appear to be the super brainiac Science teacher that decided to start a non- profit STEM program 11 years ago. Founder and President of CSTEM Teacher and Student Support Services, Flowers, is beyond a pretty face and has used her sharp mind and drive for the advancement of under-privilege children to introduce them to a whole new world.

Based in Third Ward Houston, TX on Alabama Street right next to the Cuney Homes, CSTEM is a non- profit organization that is the first Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade integrated STEM learning and enrichment program in the nation. CSTEM highly motivates students to collaboratively work on six projects such as the creation and development of remote controlled robots, geoscience, creative writing, sculpture, film, and photography. The students are required to participate in all areas, providing them with an integrated STEM learning experience.

“CSTEM is an education non- profit focusing on elementary, middle and high school education from a support services vantage point,” said Flowers. “We develop teacher content knowledge and give them the tools and resources to implement what they are teaching to their students and we have them all compete in an international competition at the end of the school year, it’s a part of their accountability piece.”

CSTEM is targeted toward under-served children who are predominately African American and Hispanic children and girls. Those are the populations that are disengaged with STEM.

“We are about helping those who need help but we served every demographic and every ethnicity in our program but we do have over 80% minority participation,” said Flowers.

Flowers is a veteran teacher as she worked 10 years inside of Houston Independent School District (HISD). For five years she taught Science at Jack Yates Senior High School and a served as a Guidance Counselor for a year. After leaving Yates, she went on to become Dean of Students at West Briar Middle School and then the School Improvement Facilitator at Phyllis Wheatley High School.

“C-Stem started when I was working at Yates. I was one of those teachers who thought they were phenomenal and walked on water and my kids were extraordinary,” said Flowers. “I wrote a grant to NASA to build a robot. I got the funding. I didn’t know how complex and competitive it was.”

She led the first robotics program at Yates. Countless hours went into teaching her students about robotics enough for them to go to their first competition where she quickly learned they were in another league.

“ I got to the competition at Reliant and it was like this whole world out there with kids that were so much more advanced than my students, teachers more advanced than I was,” said Flowers.

Flowers zoned in and committed herself to her kid’s commitment to be able to compete. She describes it as an awakening. She knew work needed to be done to bring herself and the students up to speed but she knew it could be done.

“I don’t know if it was the robotics or the kind of learning where kids can problem solve but I realized about my kids that they loved to build and construct, they loved to work with the tools,” said Flowers. “They (students) were really committed they would come in school with me and if I was there seven days they were there seven days, if I was there until 2 in the morning then they were there until 2 in the morning.”

Commitment is a key component in CSTEM and the commitment and excitement about the type of learning happening helped keep Flowers interested in teaching STEM to students although the robotics program wasn’t working out too good at Yates.

“It wasn’t happening in our school, I was raising money and building relationships and it was starting to impact my teaching,” said Flowers. “I was like I’m being paid to be a biology teacher not to run an after school Science club. After burning the candles on both ends CSTEM emerged.”

CSTEM was created as a research project while Reagan was in her doctoral program. She had already left Yates and working as Dean of Students at West Briar Middle School in 2002. The principal allowed Flowers to use 25-30 students to pilot the STEM program and from there she had a successful dissertation and model for the program she felt was needed to help supplement schools.

“For three years I had the opportunity to figure out how to integrate learning, how to connect it where we could build a pipeline with kids that are excited about math and science and can apply it in fun and innovative ways,” said Flowers. “It went so well Shell Oil came to look at it around 2004.”

Flowers passion grew to encourage students to want to pursue a career in STEM. Her position was clear that children couldn’t be what they didn’t know and they couldn’t dream about what they didn’t know. With STEM having so many careers wide open she felt obligated to give the students exposure to what could be.

“ Exposure is key to a child success, you have to expose them to a world outside of their school, outside their community,” said Flowers. “While at Yates we too often run into kids who have never been out of Third Ward.”

One could almost develop a manifesto about her desires to show children more than what is inside of one building. She believes that children have to be pulled out into the world so they can see and build up in a motivation to want to do and want to learn.

“ Its not enough for a teacher to want from their children you have to train them to be self starters and self learners to take control of their learning,” said Flowers.

Those ideals compliment the STEM training and have helped Reagan build a strong organization.

“I try to find a way to ignite them. Every year we find a new curriculum and its created new because the world is changing so fast and we want the kids to have relevant experiences,” said Flowers. “We don’t want them having busy work or just doing something for the sake of saying their doing something. We want them to see that it is real and relevant and they can have a part in solving a world issue.”

Last year they worked on a project with Algae Bloom, which is an alarming amount of Algae populating a habitat that has resulted in destruction in many natural water habitats. The project was a real world issue that showed how their work may have a way to help solve the problem.

“They are looking for solutions whether its with their Geographical Information Service (GIS) projects or robotics project we integrate art as our theme is ‘everyone is an artist and an engineer’ we believe there is a little engineering and artistry in everybody so we connect art to our program and our kids paint murals and integrate the geometry, the science and technology in there,” said Flowers. “They do sculptures, they produced films last year they did Green projects, GIS projects where they can zoom in to any mass of land or water on the planet and research and do projects on it.”

The projects make the kids become very conscious and aware of the environment, conscious about making innovations and ways to solve problems. They work on their projects for 7 or 8 months during the school year and then they come to the George R. Brown Convention Center and compete.

“We are very fortunate as an organization to be the only non-profit that partners with the Shell Eco-Marathon and we hold our competition during their Eco-Marathon Americas. Our kids compete with vehicles that are designed to run on alternative fuel sources and its just an awesome space and it exposes kids to STEM careers beyond anything that they would have the opportunity to know about,” said Flowers. “Most of these kids don’t come from homes where their dad is a geoscientist or their mom is a mechanical/electrical engineer. So they get exposure to these professionals it exposes them to what’s possible if they work hard.”

CSTEM is open to any child who has an interest. CSTEM partner with the schools and allow them to select the students that will participate.

“We really stress that they see the project through from start to finish because its an enormous investment made per school for the kids to have this experience because the teachers don’t have to pay for anything,” said Flowers. “It’s a free program for the students, the schools will pay for the teachers to train.”

CSTEM works with schools in Houston, Fort Bend, Aldine, Alief Independent School Districts as well as Kipp Charter School and Yes Prep Houston and home schools. They are in four states and two countries and two additional states will come on board this year.

“We normally service anywhere between 30-60 schools a year depending on budget it cost to service nearly 10,000 per school in the program. That’s where the fundraising go towards, supporting and funding our schools,” said Flowers.

Once the organization started to grow outside the state all of their services moved to online. Registration is all online and they are trained by industry professionals and the training happens online and all their materials are shipped to them at their schools.

“The schools have to decide they want to be a part of CSTEM. When we started to expand we started to look exclusionary and we would get parents that would say I really want to do this program but the school is not willing so we created the iSTEM Olympiad,” said Flowers. “It was created last year for that problem. If you have a parent or organization,that want to do the program with kids we have the iSTEM Olympiad so they don’t have to be a school. A kid can register for iSTEM as long as they can pay the cost.”

iSTEM is an unpaid program but the CSTEM challenge is a scholarship program but Flowers has found it tough sometimes to work with some schools because they are not use to working as partners and working collaboratively.

The program is flexible as every school has a different set of dynamics. Flowers and staff don’t tell the schools how to implement the STEM program they have the control to do it however they want.

“Some schools have a class dedicated to it, some have it after-school and others only on Saturdays,” said Flowers. “We have Saturday workshops where the teachers and the kids can participate and if they want to meet at their school they can and those Saturdays are a great time for them to all meet at one of their schools.”

CSTEM has many components and the concern of it being overbearing for a child may cross ones mind but Reagan adamantly dispels that and assures the children don’t get overwhelmed. Since the model is set up for the six competition areas, CSTEM calls for math, science, social studies, technology, art and an English teacher and each teacher is asked to lead one of the competition areas. So if it’s worked out the right way they will have six teachers for 20-25 students on each project and most kids just focus on one project but together they make one team.

“Kids are naturally curious and will figure things out and we train the teachers them online and we pace them through it,” said Flowers. “We don’t give them answers but we give them everything they need to put a base model together and if they want to do extra we teach them how to program but if they want it to do extra stuff they have to play with the program to make it do what they want it to do.”

CSTEM is meant to be competitive. As an international program, Flowers intention is to prepare the children to compete internationally.

“For the question why is the school international its because our students are struggling in knowing math and science as they should particularly blacks and Hispanics children and they are the largest un-empowered people in STEM fields,” said Flowers. “They’re not going into STEM fields and a lot of it is because they don’t want to do the work that is necessary to take the chemistry and physics to complete the degrees in those areas so we have to work extra hard to get those kids excited and to want to finish and know what it takes. They have to know they aren’t just competing with their class mates their competing with the kids in Africa, India, Singapore and the world is so flat now that it’s like Singapore is right next door to you now. The internet has just made the world smaller and our kids need to be ready to be global citizens so we work very hard to engage our students to be competitive.”

Annually the students compete in the CSTEM Challenge competition at the George R. Brown Convention Center. They pick the first place winner from the projects presented and only give first place prizes are given.

“The world is a competitive world and I’m preparing them for the real world and I’m not giving them any sense of false hope or accomplishment but they have won because they have shown up because a kid can choose to do nothing but they chose to see their project through from start to finish and come and compete and give it their best. If they don’t come in first maybe they’ll come back again,” said Flowers.

The perks of CSTEM don’t stop with children. The teachers also have an incentive as they are certifying teachers as STEM certified so if they have done all of their teacher training, done all their workshops and competed in the national competition, put in almost 100 hours and submit portfolio they can become a STEM certified teacher. To train six teachers for CSTEM is about $2200 and they have the opportunity to get three hours of graduate level credit through St. Thomas University.

Well over 200 schools since 2002 in HISD has participated in CSTEM. Most of CSTEM partners has been in HISD since it started in HISD. The program is flexible and schools can come in and out.

CSTEM is an organization that is still a small operation as far as staff. Flowers is the one full time staff member and she has six part timers and about 15-20 contractors.

“We have the same needs as a Fortune 500 company but we don’t need it as often as much as a Fortune 500 company,” said Flowers.
CSTEM is integrating more technology into their program and wants to connect more strongly with alumni. They have had an estimated impact of over 50,000 in the past years. They desire to develop more partnerships with companies.

“We’re not always looking for money but sometimes we just need services or staff that will save us money,” said Flowers.

Summer is CSTEM’s retooling time where they write new curriculum for the new year. They get registration ready and identify their trainers for the year.

“Our trainers stay with us for a year, see once the schools pay for the training which is our Teacher Training Institute. They get six free workshops with their students and their teachers. We do one a month. So they train in October and in November they’ll do one Saturday workshop a month and these are facilitated by experts in the field,” said Flowers.
“They inform the curriculum, the outcomes the kids should experience and they coach them through it. They walk them through until April and then they get to come and see kids they’ve never met except for online at the GRB and get to see all the work. We usually have minimum of 3000 kids at the GRB.”

Registration for CSTEM and iSTEM Olympiad is underway now. The registration period will end September 6, 2013 for the CSTEM Challenge and for the iSTEM Olympiad February. This year Flowers will welcome aboard Louisiana and Washington D.C..

CSTEM’s Board of Directors is Earl Cummings, LaQuita Cyprian, Robert L. Satcher M.D., Ph.D., Misty Khan, Syalisa Winata, Ross Peters, Ahmad Shaheed, Morgan Gaskin, Sandra Saldana, Ricky Raven, Joi Beasley, and Reagan Flowers Ph.D.

“I Have a Dream”- The Legacy & Ongoing Challenges to Freedom and Equality

KENYA CHAVIS
The Houston Sun

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August 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington at which Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. On August the 3rd 2013 Dr. Virgil A. Wood presented and moderated a cross-generational dialogue of the “I Have a Dream” legacy and the ongoing challenges to freedom and equality in American society. It was held at the African American Library at the Gregory School. The Gregory School opened in 1870 it was the first public school for Blacks in Houston. Questions by the audience was answered by Rev.Willie Francois and Sis. Leah Holder.

Serving on the National Executive Board of the (SCLC) Dr.Wood coordinated the commonwealth of Virginia for the March on Washington in 1963. Dr. Wood’s publications include “In Love We Trust:Lessons I Learned from Martin Luther King”(2005). He earned a doctorate in education from Harvard University, where he has also been a visiting lecturer, researcher and teaching fellow.

Kenya Chavis
The Houston Sun

Back 2 School Supply and Health Drive at Emancipation Park August 17th

Back 2 School Supply Drive and Health Fair at Emancipation Park

The Friends of Emancipation Park and Houston Parks and Recreations Department will host their annual school supply drive at Emancipation Park 3018 Dowling St. Houston, TX 77004 on August 17, 2013 from 9 am-12pm. There will be a health fair incorporated and parents must attend vendor booths to receive free supplies. Parent must accompany child(ren) and proof of enrollment must be present to participate.