The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

We are role models for other students: A Guest Blog from Sherman Elementary

September 09, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

The first graduating class from the flagship Southeast campus immortalized their experience at YES Prep in the YES Prep Thinks and Acts, a commandment-esque list of things model YES Prep students think and how they should act.  These Thinks and Acts are a series of phrases that every YES Prep 6th grader memorizes and all students use as a source of motivation.  In my five years working at YES Prep, I have thought a lot about what my favorite Think and Act might be, but it has become as challenging of an endevour as deciding on my favorite song.  However, I recently saw one particular Think and Act exemplified that didn't surprise me, but made me proud.

Our culture is rooted in community service.  In fact, YES is actually an acronym for Youth Engaged in Service.  Building community is at the core of what we do as a team and recently some of our YES Prep North Central senior boys engaged in some great acts of service, living out one of my favorite Thinks and Acts: We are role models for other students.

This is a guest blog by Carli Siegel, a second year Teach For America Houston Corps Member and 5th grade science teacher at Sherman Elementary. 

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The first day of school last year, I had my students write on a note card their phone numbers and who they lived with.  After reviewing the note cards, I was astonished to find out how few of my students lived with or was close to any sort of adult male.   This absence of a male presence worried me, but also presented an awesome and impactful opportunity.

I teach 5^thgrade at Sherman Elementary in North Houston.  This year, in an effort to provide positive role models to our male students, we started a program called Global Village.   When I was trying to think of who my students would connect with, who would hold them accountable for their academic success and conduct, and who could provide that positive male role model that they may be missing, YES Prep students immediately came into my mind. 

Today was the first day of the program and it was a huge success!  As I walked around the classroom, observing the odd mix of 6 foot something young men in navy and white polo’s surrounded by 10 year olds half their size hanging on their every word, I was overwhelmed with the connections that were being made around me.  Every Yes Prep mentor that was there came prepared to share their goals with my students and how their education has positively impacted their life, despite struggles and challenges.   Although all the conversations and interactions going on were awesome, here are some highlights from a few of my favorites:

• One mentor had his students creating life maps, and every 5^thgrader in his group included “COLLEGE!” (some with multiple exclamation points) on their map.
• When a mentor asked a 5^thgrader what one of his goals was, he replied “To get a good education and go to college so I can choose my future.  Then, I want to talk to kids like me about their future just like you’re doing.” 
• In response to the question “What will it take to reach your goals”, a reluctant 5^thgrader responded “Hard work, and believing that I can do it.”

The YES Prep mentors will return next month to reconnect with their 5^thgrade mentees to further shape their views on how an education and a college focused mindset can open monumental doors for them.  I cannot wait to see and hear what sorts of amazing conversations and relationships will materialize next time! 

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