Corps member Vinova Koray describes a special Ubuntu story and connection she made with one of her students.
The first time I met James* was the first day in their sixth grade Social Justice and Writing class when my teacher leaned over and whispered, “Watch out for that one.” I didn’t know then that he’d be the reason behind my biggest headaches and my widest smiles, but I figured it out quickly. Continue reading
With January being National Mentorship Month, we will be sharing a few success stories with you from our corps members. In this post, we share a success story of Stephanie Marban, a corps member serving at Telpochalli Elementary School in the Little Village community in Chicago. Continue reading
Marshana Roberts is a 2012 graduate of Depauw University. A Chicago native with a passion for making a difference in her community, she is currently serving at Chicago Talent Development High School on the near West Side. Below she describes her experience with leadership lunches at her school, and how after only just a few weeks in, she’s seen some significant changes in her students. Continue reading
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
-Michael Jordan
City Year Chicago knows what it’s like to run into obstacles. This past fall, City Year as a network experienced its first teacher strike here in Chicago. Not being able to serve our schools and students for seven days was difficult and left the site questioning what our next steps were. Continue reading
As the Holidays approach us, we wanted to share a little data from our previous year We’re very thankful for each and everyone of our corps members, and without them we wouldn’t be able to continue to #makebetterhappen. It is because of our corps, 2,500 (188 this year in Chicago) that we are able to tackle the national dropout crisis and get students back on track to graduate on-time. Continue reading
Last month, nearly forty Lafayette Elementary school students chose to accompany City Year “around the world” at the school’s very first Fall Break Camp. Corps members planned three days of fun and enriching activities that took the students to Italy, Korea, and Brazil. Continue reading
Corps member Susan Liu, along with dozens of other corps members dedicated several hours making phone calls home yesterday to the households of Track R students. Track R students, (who start school on a different schedule than Track E,) will begin their first day of school next Tuesday, September 4th. Continue reading
While City Year Chicago has yet to learn the full impact the corps has had during the 2011-2012 school year, we do have some of the measures from the close of the third quarter (March, 2012).
Third Quarter Measures
Check out the info graphic and visit City Year Chicago’s Impact Page!
This Monday we’ve got a very special Montage courtesy of one of our newest City Year Chicago corps members, Michelle Moon. Michelle serves as her team’s Outreach Coordinator at the Howe School of Excellence and she’s excited today to share how her team’s recent Teacher Meet & Greet made a real splash!
When our City Year team serving at the Howe School of Excellence planned for their first Teacher Meet & Greet, we aimed to exceed the teachers’ expectations of a typical bagel and coffee breakfast. We wanted the teachers to feel special and delighted in another year of partnership.
As a major strength of the team was having accomplished bakers, chefs, and decorators, team Howe decided to center the event on gourmet foods in an aesthetically pleasing room. The theme and activity of the event evolved into a date-like setting, with the room decorated in table clothes, seashells, and (unlit) candles. The team was unofficially wooing the teachers.
Our menu included croissant hummus turkey sandwiches, feta chicken pizza, fruit kabobs, chocolate covered strawberries, and roasted vegetables. With all the food laid out, it was show time and the seven 6th-7th grade teachers filled in and grabbed a plate.
After food, a corps member ushered them to a seat with a card along one side of a long table. The corps members sat on the other side to begin an activity of “speed dating” / “getting to know your teacher.” Our team leader, Primo Lasana, read questions for the corps members and the teachers to answer such as, “If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be?” and “Why did you go into teaching or why are you serving as a corps member?” After each question, the corps members wrote on the cards about their excitement to work with the teachers.
At the end of the Meet & Greet, the Assistant Vice Principal at Howe, Daphne Sherrod, extended her gratitude and excitement for the new year with City Year and noted that this introductory Meet & Greet was “one of the more impressive introductions” they have ever had with City Year!
See all the photos from our event here!
Michelle Moon is a first-year corps member serving at the Howe School of Excellence in the Austin community on Chicago’s west side. Michelle is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and is a recent graduate of Emory University.
Early morning PT in Boston with Summer Academy. Photo by Elliot Haney
At the start of a new service year, City Year staff and senior corps members from across the country gather on the campus of Northeastern University to prepare for their year of service. For several days in July, City Year leadership attend meetings and trainings to help prepare for the 2,000 corps members who will serve in some of the country’s most high-need schools to keep students in school and on track to graduate.
In addition, City Year knows how to have fun! Where else can the organizational leadership gather 800 strong and remember to enjoy each other’s company and idealism though music!
Just watch as City Year Chicago Senior Corps enjoy the tunes while Executive Director Lisa Morrison Butler pays homage to the king of pop! But ultimately we remember “why we serve” as demonstrated through City Year Chicago very own Jeff Schaffer.
