MacFarland Middle School Through the Eyes of a Volunteer
“They’re beautiful human beings…they’re just as awesome as any other kids anywhere else.”
“Students Learn from People They Love”: Tynetta’s Reflections
At my work at DCTMI, I was recently introduced to an article by New York Times columnist David Brooks called “Students Learn From People They Love: Putting relationship quality at the center of education” and the title itself made me reflect on my own relationship with education. In my personal experience, being taught five subjects at once made it difficult for me to grasp information. I would come home and not know how to do my homework, which concerned my parents. My parents would email the school asking, “Why isn’t my child getting all the information she needs from her teacher?” but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that I couldn’t grasp the information because I had no emotional relationship with my teacher. The environment my teacher created made it hard for me to learn. I was not the best student, so I always felt like my teacher was out to get me. On top of that, she was very strict and had little patience. It was not until fifth grade when my parents decided to get me a tutor. When I first met the tutor, I wasn’t too confident in him or in myself. I would meet the tutor every Monday and Wednesday evening at the center where he worked. How is someone going to teach me something in three hours that I couldn’t learn in six? Little did I know, it was very possible to do that. My tutor’s name was Mr. Monty. I remember him being very kind and patient. If I did not understand something, he made sure to continue to go over it until I did. Mr. Monty was teaching me the same content as my teacher, but something was different. He created an environment where failure was okay, but he motivated me to overcome those failures. As David Brooks puts it, “Information is plentiful, but motivation is scarce” (2019). So yes, I was receiving the information just like every student in the class, but I was not motivated due to the disconnect between me and my teacher. Unlike my teacher, Mr. Monty was able to repeatedly explain things to me. He also took the time out to help me identify the areas I struggled in, so that I could understand the underlying concepts. I believe the interpersonal connection I built with him helped me perform better academically. Today, I am a graduating senior at Trinity Washington University, and I got here with the help of a tutor who I needed in a critical stage of my life. There are so many children with the same story as me, but who do not have the help of a tutor or mentor as I did. DC Tutoring & Mentoring Initiative is a way to get people involved who can play that role, so that they can have their own success story.
CivicFest 2018: Here comes the sun!
After several days of heavy rain and overcast weather, Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park came alive during CivicFest 2018! Last Saturday, DCTMI was joined by over 30 nonprofits – from tutoring and mentoring organizations, to environmental advocates, to fitness groups. Throughout the day, attendees learned about the critical issues facing our community and the work that needs to be done to build a safer, more equitable, and more compassionate DC. Many reported signing up for multiple volunteering and advocacy opportunities. “We ran out of [promotional] literature, which is a good problem to have,” reported one empty-handed partner organization. In addition to learning about local nonprofits, attendees picnicked under the trees, chatted with fellow community members, and visited the Kids Zone to see “the world’s best face painter” (according to one confident six-year-old). On the perimeter of the park, CivicFesters munched on sweet and savory crepes, pizza slices larger than their faces, and several different kinds of chicken. “Holy crepes,” in addition to being the name of one of the food trucks, was a common utterance among satisfied customers. This civic movement was set against the backdrop of Heal & Release DC, led by DeepJust, Aphrosoul, and Jahsonic. (DeepJust expanded Heal & Release to DC last year from New York, Boston, and Atlanta with the help of Aphrosoul.) Heal & Release combined wellness activities such as reiki, yoga, and qigong (tai chi) with “an eclectic blend of deep metaphysical alternative dance music that fed the soul.” To Aphrosoul, the connection between CivicFest and Heal & Release DC was clear: “In the words of the late Michael Brody, ‘If we can dance together, we can live together.’” Participants sang, danced, and sweat together in temperatures that topped 90 degrees. DCTMI hopes this shared experience – humid as it was – will support its long-term goal of getting people to work together across class, race, and ideology.
Let’s Get Civic
#letsgetcivic By Cassondra Meadows Lets get civic! It sounds great and catchy, but is it more than just a phrase to sling around? Absolutely. Being civic-minded means thinking about our city, Washington, D.C., first. In my experience, thinking “civic” means taking action on issues D.C. faces. Communities are made up of many people with different experiences and backgrounds, not just one person. Taking civic action should not fall to one individual; it should be tackled by the community as a united group. When something is wrong or hurts our community, we should all feel compelled to act on it and correct the wrong for the betterment of all of us. But, it’s okay, someone else will make that change. Unfortunately, that’s not as likely as you might think. Don’t be afraid to take the first step towards getting to know your neighbors, finding the solution for a local problem, or even just researching an issue. We’re not saying that everyone should jump head first into complicated issues by themselves. What we are saying is that it takes a community to make real change, and it starts with one voice speaking out on behalf of a community, backing them. Here at the DC Tutoring & Mentoring Initiative, we have an inspirational example of this right across the street at the historic Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. For many years, this was considered one of the most dangerous parks in the area. The park acquired a negative reputation within the surrounding neighborhoods that deterred community members from visiting this park. Until a group decided to take the park back. Steve Coleman was one of the leading voices in their campaign. Coleman is the Executive Director and President of Washington Parks and People. Coleman led his local neighborhood crime patrol, which evolved into Friends of Meridian Hill. He developed a volunteer patrol to get to know people in the area and help deter crime after a tragic crime. A young boy was shot and killed in front of his house. The neighborhood gathered attempting to make sense of the situation. The police were saying to stay inside, but the group knew that something had to be done. The neighbors established the volunteer patrol because they believed in thinking beyond themselves. They wanted to see real change within their neighborhood, so they took a stand. From being labeled as one of the most unsafe parks to being a hub of community activity, the park has come a long way because a few committed individuals decided to make a change. This group would go out at night on strolls to meet the people in the park. They modeled their approach after two grandparents from the Southeast who took to the streets to fix the crime in their neighborhood. The grandparents had one rule: Say hello to everyone. Coleman and his group adopted this rule along with two others: “Never carry a weapon or something that could resemble one” and “Travel and work in multiracial groups.” Coleman remarked that approaching strangers at night was not easy, but it was what was best for the community. He also found that “these people, although they seem intimidating to approach, were phenomenal assets.” These small patrols eventually evolved into a larger group that would lead community cleanup days, host performances, and sponsor other fun activities. As the group started working to bring the park back, they encountered many people who cared deeply about Meridian Hill. As the group dove deeper into the park’s history, its members uncovered different stories and reasons about why the park mattered so much to people. Coleman said, “We set about trying to bring that story back to life, to give both the memories and dreams a new chance at being real.” The group embodied a civic mindset and created real change by transforming the park into a place where community events are held and families go to spend the day. Walking into this park now, people are walking their dogs and children are squealing in delight as they play. We invite you to come out to Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park on Saturday, July 21st from 12-8 pm! Find out more and get tickets at civicfest.us! Join us as we say “Let’s get civic!”