Editor's note: Since being named principal of Jackson High School last fall, Stephanie S. Johnson pledged to usher sweeping changes at the institution. This is the second in a series of updates on progress at the school.
by Stephanie S. Johnson
Mission Possible is the theme I titled the transformation of Maynard Jackson’s journey to move from “Priority" to "Rewards” status when I arrived in November. Although most of Mission Possible is data driven and focused on the curriculum, assessment, and instructional aspects of the newly focused learning environment, the fourth component of Mission Possible focuses on the social aspects.
"Mission Possible: Summer Opportunity" began during lunchtime when I questioned students about their summer plans. A student informed me they usually got in trouble in the summer when they didn't have anything to do. I told the student I would find him a job and a mentor if he would stay out of trouble. The student agreed and the first stages of "Mission Possible: Summer Opportunity" began (The student was hired within a week of this conversation to work as a server at Carrabbas Restaurant in Morrow).
I met with representatives of Southeast Atlanta Communities for Schools to discuss the mission, which resulted in an outpouring of phone calls from local businesses sharing a desire to hire students. An additional meeting was hosted with Cindy Smith of United Brothers and Sisters, Garry Long from the Zeist Foundation, Virgil Murray of the Maynard H. Jackson Foundation, and Dr. Barbara Coble from Emory University to gain support for the vision of which they provided.
The vision grew and Graduation Coach Arlena Edmonds joined and began to make additional contacts to include Barnes and Noble, Kroger, Atlanta Workforce Development, Parks and Recreation, Fulton County Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.), and other corporate sponsors that offered multiple job opportunities for our students. A meeting was held with Graduation Coach Edmonds, Garry Long, and Pastor Toni Ingram with H.J. Russell's daughter who offered job opportunities at Concession’s International at the airport for Jackson students and the list goes on.
In the meantime, Principal Johnson and other Maynard Jackson employees spoke to local businesses (such as Uncle Maddio's), Summerhill Community Center, Wylde Community Center, and Six Flags who agreed to hire Maynard Jackson students this summer and provide mentors as well. The movement became so large that Graduation Coach Edmonds hosted two full job fairs just for the students at Maynard Jackson, which resulted in almost 500 students gaining summer employment or internship opportunities.
Internships were provided from Atlanta History Museum, Teen Talk (Beacon of Hope), and Georgia Teen Institute. Several students are participating in the Odyssey Program at Westminster. Additionally, Emory and Clark Atlanta provided Upward Bound and Summer Camp opportunities as well.
The jobs our students received are paying anywhere from $7.50 to $14.00 an hour, and the internships are mostly unpaid (instructionally focused) to as much as $300 stipends for the summer. Several students are participating in travel abroad study opportunities and Governor’s Honors. I communicated a goal to Graduation Coach Edmonds and the Maynard Jackson stakeholders for EVERY student at Maynard Jackson to have a place on a chart indicating their summer activity on the last day of school.
My goal of 900 job placements did not happen as a result of summer school and age for some minors; however, more than 500 students are now working or interning in the city of Atlanta this summer.
by Stephanie S. Johnson
Mission Possible is the theme I titled the transformation of Maynard Jackson’s journey to move from “Priority" to "Rewards” status when I arrived in November. Although most of Mission Possible is data driven and focused on the curriculum, assessment, and instructional aspects of the newly focused learning environment, the fourth component of Mission Possible focuses on the social aspects.
"Mission Possible: Summer Opportunity" began during lunchtime when I questioned students about their summer plans. A student informed me they usually got in trouble in the summer when they didn't have anything to do. I told the student I would find him a job and a mentor if he would stay out of trouble. The student agreed and the first stages of "Mission Possible: Summer Opportunity" began (The student was hired within a week of this conversation to work as a server at Carrabbas Restaurant in Morrow).
I met with representatives of Southeast Atlanta Communities for Schools to discuss the mission, which resulted in an outpouring of phone calls from local businesses sharing a desire to hire students. An additional meeting was hosted with Cindy Smith of United Brothers and Sisters, Garry Long from the Zeist Foundation, Virgil Murray of the Maynard H. Jackson Foundation, and Dr. Barbara Coble from Emory University to gain support for the vision of which they provided.
The vision grew and Graduation Coach Arlena Edmonds joined and began to make additional contacts to include Barnes and Noble, Kroger, Atlanta Workforce Development, Parks and Recreation, Fulton County Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.), and other corporate sponsors that offered multiple job opportunities for our students. A meeting was held with Graduation Coach Edmonds, Garry Long, and Pastor Toni Ingram with H.J. Russell's daughter who offered job opportunities at Concession’s International at the airport for Jackson students and the list goes on.
In the meantime, Principal Johnson and other Maynard Jackson employees spoke to local businesses (such as Uncle Maddio's), Summerhill Community Center, Wylde Community Center, and Six Flags who agreed to hire Maynard Jackson students this summer and provide mentors as well. The movement became so large that Graduation Coach Edmonds hosted two full job fairs just for the students at Maynard Jackson, which resulted in almost 500 students gaining summer employment or internship opportunities.
Internships were provided from Atlanta History Museum, Teen Talk (Beacon of Hope), and Georgia Teen Institute. Several students are participating in the Odyssey Program at Westminster. Additionally, Emory and Clark Atlanta provided Upward Bound and Summer Camp opportunities as well.
The jobs our students received are paying anywhere from $7.50 to $14.00 an hour, and the internships are mostly unpaid (instructionally focused) to as much as $300 stipends for the summer. Several students are participating in travel abroad study opportunities and Governor’s Honors. I communicated a goal to Graduation Coach Edmonds and the Maynard Jackson stakeholders for EVERY student at Maynard Jackson to have a place on a chart indicating their summer activity on the last day of school.
My goal of 900 job placements did not happen as a result of summer school and age for some minors; however, more than 500 students are now working or interning in the city of Atlanta this summer.
Responsibility and skills for productive citizenship to prepare Jackson students for college and/or career are the goals of this project. Earning a summer income is also a great benefit for the students and their families. I hope skills such as attendance and follow-through on assignments will carry over into academic responsibility in August as a result of summer employment.
So far, we have received positive reports from businesses and community members. To date, not even one Maynard Jackson student has been reported in trouble in our communities this summer. This is because they are serving in productive roles with positive mentors in Atlanta's business community.
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