These days I'm feeling grateful for lots of things at AJC and I'll pick a unique one to mention here. Recently, the City approached us in search of a warm, welcoming, and clean space to serve as an election site. We told them 'we're your place--as long as we can still have school that day.' This was right in our wheelhouse because we’re here for the kids and for our community. Voting is a sacred act and ritual, and even more so for some of our brothers and sisters to whom that right was denied for so long.
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Staff put a little extra love into making the gym welcoming and clean, the kids got an in-person civics lesson, and many voters learned about the School for the first time. Just as I am always moved by those lined up for communion, on election day I was moved by those lined up to vote throughout the day. The folks working the polls loved being here and want to come back. We want them back, too. It was a win across the board, a concrete symbol of who we aspire to be, and I'm grateful we could be part of it.
- Mike Maruca, Head of School |
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3rd Grade Teacher, Tamara Johnson |
Introducing Mrs. Johnson, AJC's new 3rd Grade Teacher! A native of Richmond, Tamara attended Richmond Public Schools and received her Bachelors and Masters in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University. She was twice honored as "Teacher of The Year" at Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School (previously George Mason), where she taught for 13 years and was named among the top 5 teachers across all Richmond Public Schools. So it came as no surprise to us that just two months into her first school year at AJC, she was nominated "Employee Of The Month." Her cheerful, calming presence and expertise in the classroom has already enriched the AJC family. Tamara recently shared who inspired her to become a teacher, what drew her to AJC, and what she believes is the greatest challenge our students face:
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WHO INSPIRED YOU TO TEACH?
I was inspired by my K, 1st and 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Williams. She instilled a love for learning and reading in me.
WHAT DREW YOU TO AJC?
I love the idea of Faith and Family. I believe our faith connects us, and ultimately binds us together as a family with the sole purpose of aiding our students in achieving greatness. We are teaching the whole child here which in my opinion, aids them in becoming the best version of themselves in this ever changing world.
WHAT ARE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES YOUR STUDENTS FACE? One of the greatest challenges I see is confidence. It is important that we remind them they can do hard things. Nothing beats persevering through failure and if they can do this, the hard things ultimately become easy. So lots of reminders and encouragement, while celebrating the small wins on the path to mastery. |
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Shoot For The Moon, Land Among The Stars
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8th grade students with NASA Astronauts at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
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Speaking to a crowded auditorium at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Leland Melvin and Dr. Robert Satcher, Virginia-born astronauts, made an indelible impression on 8th grade students during a recent field trip.
In 2009 Melvin, a Material Science Engineer, and Satcher, an Orthopedic Surgeon and Chemical Engineer, became the first African-American men to fly together on a shuttle mission. Together, they shared the stories that shaped them here on Earth, and in Space.
Melvin shared a story of an awe-inspiring experience aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis during a dinner with his international crew members. As they orbited the Earth (yes, they completely orbited Earth during dinner!) they each shared stories of their favorite home-cooked meals as one by one their home country passed by the window. AJC students were thoroughly engaged and asked a lot of great questions: "Did you get homesick?" "How did you decide to become an astronaut?"
"Was it hard to keep your balance when you came back to Earth?"
Parting words of advice pointed to Curious George and The Man in The Yellow Hat: “Be curious, be yourself, and find your Man In The Yellow Hat .”
The astronauts went on to share, "Sometimes the Man In The Yellow hat is a parent. Sometimes a grandma, teacher, or mentor. We all need that adult who’ll support us no matter what."
We couldn't agree more. A special thanks to all who've lovingly donned a yellow hat here at AJC. |
| 8th Grader Za'Reeq meets Leland Melvin. |
Students held their hands high during Q&A session. |
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Leland describes walking on Earth after weeks in space. |
| Students asked great questions. |
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Congratulations to Heshima, Winner of 1st Quarter House Competition! |
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Lower School students pose for a celebratory photo under their Heshima House flag. |
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Spotlight on Graduate Support |
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We recently asked a few grads: When thinking back on your time at AJC, what are you thankful for? |
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"I'm thankful for Mr. Keiper. He taught us the truth when learning about history." |
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"I'm thankful for Coach G. She was the mom of the school and even though my brother and I have graduated, she still finds a way to check up on us." |
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"I'd like to give a shout out to Mrs. Hughes. She was the most chill teacher I've ever had. She was the calm to my crazy." |
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Graduate Support has been a fundamental component of AJC's mission since our beginning. Support may look different for each student - but the common thread woven through it all is genuine, uplifting relationships. Through your support, we are able to provide scholarships to independent high schools and walk alongside students as they make their way into adulthood. What does this look like? Lorin Johnson, Director of Graduate Support and former AJC student, describes it best:
"We follow private school kids, public school kids, kids who move, kids who are parents, kids who go to college. We're there to help them become successful adults. It's really about maintaining that sense of community, love and support. We meet our kids wherever they are." AJC graduate Jeylan Moody, pictured here, is a senior at Cristo Rey Richmond. With a strong 3.9 GPA, she is the first senior to receive a college acceptance from Eastern Mennonite University. Shout out to Jeylan for all her hard work! |
| Jeylan, AJC Class of 2020 |
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Our Fighting Lions ended the season with two big wins against Collegiate and Benedictine! Thanks to all who came out to cheer us on! |
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Visit our pop-up Fan Shop to support AJC and show off your LION PRIDE! The Fall Fundraiser runs through November 15th. You can shop online here: https://fancloth.shop/HLQQC for the items below, and much more. |
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Did you know? Our Founding Board voted to name the School after Anna Julia Cooper on June 8th, 2009. To our surprise, three days later the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in her honor. We took it as a sign that we were on the right track! Now in our 15th school year, her life and legacy continues to inspire our mission and growth. Stay tuned in the coming months for more about the life of amazing Anna Julia Cooper! |
Students had an undeniable pep in their step as they welcomed their
dads, uncles, and papas to school for our 2nd annual Dudes and Donuts breakfast. The house was packed, and the donuts were a sweet treat - but nothing’s sweeter than the pride and joy felt during this school-wide event. We're grateful for the gentlemen of our AJC family! |
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Want to get involved? There are many ways to support AJC! |
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you
for believing in our mission and our students and staff.
To our donors, volunteers and non-profit partners: In addition to the regular academic program and athletics that your financial support provides, our students benefit greatly from the relationships they build with our dedicated volunteers, and from partnerships with outside groups with whom we love to work - and who never fail to let us know how much they love to work with our kids.
From the bottom of our hearts, |
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