Growing Kings at US Department of Education’s 2014 Bus Tour
US Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited JH Phillips Academy yesterday during the US Dept. of Education’s 2014: Back-to-School Bus Tour.
The theme for this year’s trip through Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee is “Partners in Progress.” US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro and Birmingham Mayor William Bell joined Sec. Duncan during a roundtable discussion regarding President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative announced earlier this year.
During introductions made by Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Craig Witherspoon, Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Mayor William Bell, and both US Secretaries, Sec. Duncan stated he was there to learn new ways of providing ladders of opportunity for all students.
“Our job is to listen. Our job is to find ways to support you, and our job is to help you become the next generation of leadership. I’m not talking about five or ten years from now, but now.”
-US Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan
Ten Birmingham City Schools students representing five different non-profit organizations participated in the event. Parker H.S. senior Kendrick McKinney and Ramsay H.S. junior Cedric Howard represented Growing Kings. Both students joined the organization when they were in middle school. They’ve both scored at least a 20 on their ACTs and have scholarship opportunities through their respective extracurricular activities in JROTC and athletics.
Director of the US Dept. of Education’s Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell began the conversation by presenting the six universal goals of the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, which include:
- Entering school ready to learn
- Reading at grade level by third grade
- Graduating from high school ready for college and career
- Completing post-secondary education and training
- Successfully entering the workforce, and
- Reducing violence and providing second chances.
From there, Rev. Girton-Mitchell invited every student to introduce themselves, the organizations they were from, and tell one thing that makes them feel good about themselves. Both GK students gave answers revolving around a theme of leadership.
“One thing I’m proud of about myself is that I’m a leader instead of a follower.”
-Cedric Howard, 11th grade student from Ramsay High School
“One thing I find confidence in myself is my ability to make an example, or be the example and set the standard. You can find people to be our role models and follow behind, but it’s also good to be that leader and have people follow you.”
-Kendrick McKinney, 12th grade student from Parker High School
As the conversation came to a close, Rev. Girton-Mitchell asked each student to provide one piece of advice they would like for US Secretaries Duncan and Castro to relay to President Obama. Student responses included providing more development opportunities for teachers to better approach students with diverse learning abilities, ensuring funding for non-profit organizations working to improve educational outcomes for students, and better access to technology that facilitates student learning.
We are thankful for the opportunity to participate in a much needed conversation for not only our community, but for the entire nation. Cedric and Kendrick are just two examples of the many students our organization works with and supports. We take delight in hearing how they pride themselves on being leaders for their peers, and we are hopeful for the 2014-15 program year that started this past Monday.