Volume 10 | Issue 5 | January 2025 | |
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National Mentorship Month:
Celebrating Guiding Lights in Education
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In the education landscape, mentors stand out as beacons of guidance and support, illuminating the path for students and fellow educators. Their influence extends far beyond the classroom, pivotal in shaping academic journeys, fostering personal growth and building a nurturing learning environment. Mentors provide invaluable wisdom, encouragement and a sense of connection that helps navigate the complexities of school life.
This feature shines a spotlight on the vital role of school mentors, celebrating their dedication and the profound impact they have on both students and educational colleagues. From offering academic advice and career guidance to providing emotional support and fostering leadership skills, mentors are integral to creating a thriving educational community. Join us as we explore the stories and contributions of these exceptional individuals and discover how their mentorship enriches the educational experience and empowers others to reach their full potential.
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Detroit Public Safety Academy (DPSA) | |
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DPSA offers a variety of mentorship programs designed to support student growth and development. Alternatives 360 is an in-school male mentoring initiative where students learn about leadership, conflict resolution, personal care and core values. The Detroit Police Department leads a Brotherhood and Sisterhood program, with officers guiding separate weekly sessions for male and female students. The Black Male Educators Alliance (BMEA) also collaborates with DPSA, mentoring high school students who are interested in education as a career focus. In turn, these students mentor others at George Crockett Academy (GCA) in academic and social-emotional components. Additionally, the senior mentoring program pairs upperclassmen with freshmen and new students to help them adjust and succeed in the school community.
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George Crockett Academy (GCA) | |
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At GCA, mentorship plays a vital role in fostering growth and development among students. One of the standout initiatives is the Black Male Educators Alliance (BMEA) and its Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP). This is a yearlong mentorship initiative that pairs high school mentors with elementary school mentees. In this after-school program, high school students from Detroit Public Safety Academy (DPSA) are compensated for their time while gaining valuable leadership skills and insight into careers in education. This year, six high school mentors, along with two site coordinators, work closely with male mentees from DPSA twice a week. The program has already shown impressive academic and behavioral improvements among the students and GCA is proud to continue its partnership with BMEA and DPSA.
Additionally, the academy benefits from the mentorship of Empowerment Z8ne, a nonprofit organization led by former GCA parent Ms. Larresha White. Every week, Ms. White meets with seventh and eighth grade girls during lunch to discuss important topics such as conflict resolution, college readiness and personal care. Her guidance has led to a noticeable reduction in office referrals and has fostered a positive shift in the middle school’s climate and culture. Another impactful mentorship program at GCA is the FBI Junior Special Agents Program, which provides fifth grade students with the opportunity to learn about topics like cyberbullying, security, good citizenship and careers in law enforcement. This year, the program culminated in a special ceremony where students were "sworn in" as Junior Special Agents and received personalized holiday gifts. These mentorship programs not only support academic growth but also instill life skills and a sense of purpose in students.
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Hope of Detroit Academy (HoDA) | |
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At Hope of Detroit Academy Elementary (HoDAE), the school is fortunate to partner with two community mentoring programs. Mentors from Big Brothers Big Sisters visit weekly to engage with students, fostering meaningful connections. In addition, Read to a Child pairs selected students with adults who read to them via Zoom during their lunch hour. The students greatly enjoy their time with their mentors and look forward to these interactions.
At Hope of Detroit Academy Middle/High (HoDAM/H), the school has introduced peer mentoring programs that support both mental health and Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) initiatives in collaboration with the social work team. The Hope Squad and PBIS Ambassador programs play a significant role in promoting a positive and healthy school climate. HoDAM/H also collaborates with Alternatives 360 to offer two youth groups throughout the week.
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DA has made reading a central focus in many of its mentor/mentee programs, benefiting all participants through meaningful connections and shared learning experiences. Fifth grade students mentor second grade students through the Student Engagement Committee, reading together and engaging in related activities during scheduled sessions each month. These students are regularly paired for collaborative reading sessions, where they work together to enhance their reading skills and foster a supportive, inclusive learning environment. Additionally, DA collaborates with Read for Literacy through the Toledo Branch Library in a program called Creating Young Readers. The University of Toledo students and seniors from the Area Office on Aging visit the school to mentor students in reading, further enriching the academic experience.
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Creating Morning Magic:
How César Chávez Academy Lower Elementary's (CCALE)
Morning Announcements Energize the School Day
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At CCALE, morning announcements have become a dynamic, innovative and highly anticipated part of the school day. Originally designed as a way to stay connected during remote learning, the announcement format has evolved into a fun, interactive experience that continues to bring the school community together each morning.
Ms. Gabriela Jaime, the school leader, officially kicks off announcements with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the School Pledge, before diving into the day’s announcements. Students hear reminders about topics like putting forth their best effort on NWEA tests, best practices for test-taking and lunch options.
CCALE has introduced into their announcements a segment that supports student growth and well-being. Ms. Velasco, the school’s social worker, presents social-emotional learning (SEL) and character development every day. She discusses important values like honesty and doing the right thing. She makes her sessions interactive by posing questions that are then answered by different classes, fostering a culture of reflection and conversation.
The announcements also feature school-based programs like "Token Tuesday," where students earn tokens for being kind, making good choices, demonstrating positive behavior, etc. These tokens can be redeemed at the school's book machine, reinforcing the importance of character and personal responsibility.
Wednesdays bring even more excitement with the "Wheel of Fun." Each week, the wheel is spun to select a fun activity for the school to participate in together during announcements on Friday. Activities such as flashlight reading, directed drawing, Bingo for Books (for younger students focusing on letter sounds) and virtual field trips, such as a visit to the zoo, all make learning interactive and exciting for the entire school.
What started as a creative solution during the pandemic has grown into an integral part of CCALE’s school culture, providing not only important updates but also a sense of community, celebration and fun. The morning announcements are a perfect example of how CCALE continues to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of its students, staff and community.
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East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy (ECUEA)
Educator Chosen as the First Recipient of the Ginny Burney Scholar Program Award
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ECUEA is incredibly proud of Ms. Michelle Pope for being named the first recipient of the Ginney Burney Program Award. The Ginney Burney Scholar Program aims to identify and support passionate, innovative educators—such as teachers, high-ability coordinators and counselors—in communities where students from low-income or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are historically underrepresented in gifted programs. The program works to enhance students’ access to talent development opportunities through specialized educator training.
Ms. Pope was the inaugural recipient due to her hard work, dedication and leadership within her school and community. She will receive mentorship from professionals in her field and access to career development resources. The first of these was through the Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG) annual conference. This exposure provided her with valuable networking opportunities that will benefit not only her personal growth but the students at ECUEA as well.
Both ECUEA and The Leona Group are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Pope's achievements and look forward to seeing her continue to excel in her professional journey.
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Leading the Way: Francis Reh and Saginaw Preparatory's Progress in District Capacity and Development | |
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Francis Reh Academy (FRA) and Saginaw Preparatory Academy (SPA) have been recognized as 2023-24 awardees for Excellence in Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Implementation. This prestigious recognition highlights their exceptional work on the District Capacity Assessment conducted last year. While both schools are still in the early stages of this process, they have already made impressive strides in revamping their MTSS with the support of Michigan MTSS Technical Assistance Center (TAC).
Their efforts have drawn attention from schools across the state, some of whom will be observing their plans first hand during a school visit. The dedication and commitment required to drive these changes have been considerable and both schools have fully embraced the challenge of making MTSS a meaningful and sustainable part of their educational practices. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and the positive impact they are already having on their students and staff. Congratulations FRA and SPA!
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Hannah Bassett
Discovery Academy
Kindergarten
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Ms. Hannah Bassett has made a lasting impact on Discovery Academy (DA), creating a student-centered culture where every child thrives. She organizes field days, spirit weeks, assists with house meetings and markets the program to local daycare centers, while also staying connected with former students. By fully embracing the science of reading, her students have surpassed their NWEA goals. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Bassett chairs the Student Engagement Committee, supervises pre-service teachers and leads the Creating Young Readers partnership.
Ms. Bassett has impacted the lives of all students, creating a climate and culture where each child is seen and supported. “Ms. Bassett is not only a remarkable teacher but also an advocate for every student and educator,” says Ms. Julieta Flowers, school leader of Discovery Academy.
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Michigan Relocation Council (MiRC)
Scholarship Opportunity
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The MiRC is proud to announce a scholarship opportunity for current high school seniors who have relocated into Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Public Schools and their surrounding counties over the course of their high school career. Students will be evaluated on academic performance, extra-curricular activities, and on their response to an essay addressing the way they handled the challenges associated with relocating to a new area and a new high school.
The deadline for completed applications is Friday, March 1, 2025.
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Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge 2025 | | |
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The President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge is now accepting submissions from 9-12th grade students in the United States to compete for a top prize of $2,500. Students are invited to reflect on President Ford’s example of answering the call to serve, especially when the call is unexpected. Submissions are accepted through March 14, 2025.
Submissions are accepted through March 14, 2025.
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Detroit Red Wings Shutout Bullying Contest | | |
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The Detroit Red Wings have partnered with Planet Fitness to help “shutout” bullying in Detroit! One winning school will be awarded $10,000 for anti-bullying events or initiatives at the winner’s educational institution. To enter and be eligible for any prizes awarded, individuals must be legal residents of the State of Michigan, aged 18 or over, and employed as a full or part-time staff member at an educational institution catering to students in grades K-12 at the time of entry and prize distribution.
The deadline to enter is January 31, 2025.
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Girls Who Code Summer Programs | | |
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Join the ultimate summer squad. Become a game designer while making friends, meeting mentors, and exploring career paths in live virtual classrooms. The program is open to girls and non-binary students in grades 9-12 with or without prior coding experience.
The two deadlines to consider:
- Apply by February 26, 2025 for priority consideration
- Application closes on April 11, 2025
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Midwest Department of Academic Achievement Website: | |
Please explore our website and find pertinent items at your fingertips to help ensure academic success! Save the link in your bookmarks to access it on the fly! | |
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The Leona Group, 2125 University Park Drive, Okemos, MI 48864 | | | | |
