A Good Way To Start The Day |
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Each morning, Katye Snipes (our School Administrator) and I have the privilege of greeting middle schoolers at the front door, as they get off the bus or out of a parent's car. Often we are joined by Head of School Mike Maruca, Anthony Burley from Graduate Support, or Joe Allred, the new English teacher. On good days, the orange striped cat from Creighton Court joins the greeters.
As kids come up the steps and approach the front door, they are still making the transition from home to school. Some are eager -- others are sleepy, hungry, or worried; some offer a fist pump or grab a sideways hug -- others scooch past. Some share concerns from home, triumphs from yesterday's game, or anxiety about an upcoming test. Many of them seek out friends already in the cafeteria; others ask to check in with an especially trusted adult; a few preen in front of the mirrored glass; and one or two kids, not yet ready for the tumultuous emotions of being an adolescent in the company of other adolescents, just stall in the doorway. Most are glad to be known by name, to be seen, to be welcomed. We tease them. We tell them we're happy they are here. We tell them we love them.
It's a pretty good way to start the day.
- Susan Barstow, Director of Curriculum and Instruction |
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Susan, pictured here greeting a student as the school day begins. |
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Middle school students enthusiastically welcomed new classmates to their "Houses" last week in a lively ceremony held in the gym. House flags waved and music filled the air as students joined one of four Houses when their names were announced over the loud speaker.
Led by Lower School Principal Micheal Crane and School Principal Yolanda Gilliam, AJC's "House System" continues to encourage teamwork and school pride. Designed to promote school spirit, each House is based on the tenets of our school PRIDE pledge: I am Prepared, I show Respect, I model Integrity, I have a Dream, I will Excel. Like small families within our larger School family, students are divided into four Houses with a competitive twist. K-8th grade teachers and staff award House points when they see good things happening: perfect attendance, acts of kindness, and positive classroom behavior are all point-worthy!
Will NDOTO, HESHIMA, TAYARI or BORA end the quarter with the most House Points? Stay tuned to find out who wins bragging rights! |
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Mr. Allred and 8th grader, Kyla |
Introducing Mr. Allred, AJC's new Middle School English Teacher! Joe joined the AJC family this summer, after 15 years teaching English and coaching tennis at a nearby public high school. With his easy laugh and kind heart, he has a knack for building rapport with students. A hobby photographer, he often has his Nikon camera handy to snap a picture at after-school activities. Mr. Allred recently shared what inspired him to become a teacher, and how he discovered AJC:
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WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TEACH?
I had a teacher in high school that assigned what seemed like a novel a week. As I read these novels and we discussed them and wrote about them, I had so many "aha" moments. The experience opened up an entirely new world to me. Fast forward about 35 years. I'm working downtown at a law firm and my brother passed away unexpectedly. Suddenly my work reviewing documents seemed empty and meaningless, and I knew I had to do something else. I love literature, love to write, love young people. So I dropped everything, attended the University of Richmond year-round, and obtained my teacher's license. Then I was off to the races.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER AJC?
My buddy told me his wife volunteered at an amazing school. He described as much as he could to me and said, "You should talk to her, I think you would love it there." I called her and she just couldn't stop saying wonderful things about Anna Julia Cooper -- so I reached out, and the rest is history! MY STUDENTS NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME...
I have a student, Kyla, who memorized the 23rd Psalm in one day and recited it to the class perfectly. After class I pulled her aside and handed her a poem and said, "Kyla, that's a real talent you have. If you don't mind, take a look at this one and let me know if you would like to recite it next week." "Ok, thanks," she said. About 45 minutes later Kyla ran over to me. "Mr. Allred, here, listen to this." She recited the poem that I had just handed her. |
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Cheyenne, past AJC student and Norfolk State Accounting Major, stopped in to visit his 5th grade buddies on a recent Friday afternoon. Cheyenne bonded with students during summer school, working as a classroom aid and mentor. He remains a close mentor to one particular student in whom he can see himself: a bright and charismatic young man facing the challenges of growing up in Richmond's East End.
After leaving AJC, Cheyenne attended multiple high schools and began his journey into adulthood at a local community college. He has since spread his wings at Norfolk State University, where he is loving life and currently has all As and Bs in his accounting and business classes.
When asked what drew him to Norfolk State, Cheyenne shared, "I enjoy the campus setting and being surrounded by positive influences. Everyone has a common goal and there are a lot more resources and networking opportunities."
Friendly and goal-oriented, networking seems to come easy to Cheyenne -- no surprise to his past teachers. He recently attended the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) National Elevate Conference in New Orleans and will soon join NABA's Regional chapter to explore career opportunities within Virginia. Cheyenne recently applied to KPMG's HBCU Talent+ program, and is a candidate for Earnst and Young's (EY) 2024 Summer Launch program. Cheyenne says he is "especially interested in EY because they breed leaders."
We believe the sky's the limit for Cheyenne and we'll be here cheering him on, every step of the way! |
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Students were all smiles when their summer school buddy surprised them with a visit!
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Cheyenne, picture here on the right, at NABA's National Elevate Conference in New Orleans. |
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Want to support AJC grads like Cheyenne? A used computer donation can make a big impact! Please reach out to Lorin Johnson, Director of Graduate Support, at
johnsonl@ajcschool.org if you are able to help.
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Anna Julia Cooper was an educator, author, activist and one of the most prominent African American scholars in United States history. She gave voice to the African-American community during the 19th and 20th centuries, from the end of slavery to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Cooper—who once described her vocation as “the education of neglected people”—viewed learning as a means of true liberation. She is best known for her educational leadership, her challenges to the racist notion that African Americans were naturally inferior, and her groundbreaking collection of essays and speeches, A Voice from the South by a Black Woman of the South (1892).
Stay tuned in the coming months for more about the life of amazing Anna Julia Cooper! |
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Want to get involved? There are many ways to support AJC! |
Visit us for a tour, join our army of volunteers, send school supplies from our Amazon Wishlist, or make a donation. Please visit our website or contact Katye Snipes at snipesk@ajcschool.org to get plugged in! |
Thank YOU for making it all possible! |
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