Innovation And Education Bringing The Inner City Into The 21st Century

Innovation and Education: Bringing the Inner City into

the 21st Century

Josette

Bonafino, Moderator Executive Director of MYX: Multicultural Youth eXchange

Stacy Holland Co-President and COO, Philadelphia Youth Network

Dave Phillips Public Affairs Specialist, State Farm

Michelle Grimley Program Manager, Charter Education Grant, School District of Philadelphia

Desiree Booker (aka Myrikal) High School Student, Performer,

Anti-Violence Advocate

Josette

Bonafino

Executive DirectorMYX: Multicultural Youth

eXchange

innovations in educationBringing the Inner City into the 21st Century

Stacy Holland

Co-President and COOPhiladelphia Youth Network

Dave Phillips

Public Affairs SpecialistState Farm

Michelle Grimley

Program ManagerCharter Education Grant

School District of Philadelphia

Character Education and

The School District of Philadelphia

What is Character Education?

• Instilling virtues, values, behaviors and reasoning capabilities

• Positively effecting student’s ability to make best possible moral choices

Character Education and U.S. Department of Education

• Funding increased dramatically during President Bush’s administration (FY 2001)

• Goal: Build safe schools and strong character

• Supported in the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools-award federal grants across the country

Character Education and The School District of Philadelphia

Awarded two Partnerships in Character Education Grants: FY 2002-2006, FY 2006-2010

Targets specific regions, schools, classrooms for participation

Program Information

• K-8 classrooms implement character education/service learning projects-currently 93 k-8 teachers involved from forty-one schools

• 10 District high schools implement senior project program graduation requirement for all seniors

Character Education connection to Service-Learning

Team building in classroom Emphasis on character traits through literature

and community interactions

Service-learning project as the “application” and real world application

Skills emphasized k-8 character education/ service-learning project

Communication and research skills

Connecting with the community and organizations

Reading, writing and presentation skills

Caring, responsibility, respect

Service to others

Skills Learned through Senior Project Program

• Thesis focused research paper writing skills

• Presentation skills

• “Soft Skills”-creativity, time management, patience, persistence, etc

Future of Program

• Funding for Partnerships in Character Education Program cut in FY 2009 budget 50%

Character Education will be folded into new student engagement initiative for U.S. Department of Education (TBA)

Future of Program in District?

• $500,000 annual grant budget will end June 30, 2010

• Learn and Serve funds may continue

• Potential connection to Dr. Ackerman’s Imagine 2014

Desiree Booker (aka Myrikal)

High School StudentPerformer

Anti-Violence Advocate

A Journey through the Life & Career of “Myrikal”

Overview of Music Career

• Began rapping at age 10, and composing lyrics at 12. Started with R.A.R.E.

• Over 150 performances throughout tri-state.• Won Amateur Night at Apollo• AMTC Millie Lewis competition in Florida: 2nd place

singer/songwriter. 1st place creative runway. 900 contestants.• Opened up for Chaka Khan & Musiq Soulchild at N2N Annual

Festival.• Anti-Violence youth advocate/ motivational speaker. Invited to speak

at schools, churches, seminars, and youth programs.• Recorded a song demo at age 12; Released my 1st album at 14

entitled “The Evolution of a Revolution, Myrikal”.• …and the list goes on.

What do I advocate?

• Pro-education• Anti-Violence

Why???

What influences me?

• Community/ youth/ peers• My preceding successors• My teachers and music colleagues• My Lord and Savior

And ultimately… My Mama

The Power of music & art

• Universal Language• It can have a large influence on how we

think, feel, and live. Ex. John Mayer vs. Billie Holiday.

• MYX 2009 Audio Arts program• MUSIC MOVES ME

Looking into the future

• Continue to pursue my music• Finish my 2nd album• 4 year college degree/ Law school• High hopes of becoming a District Attorney

someday.

“Invisible”

Question & Answer

Please complete the survey being distributed by the volunteers.

Surveys may be returned to the volunteers or at the Registration

Desk in Ballroom A.

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