A dozen Brooklyn Generation School sophomores huddled tentatively in Google's 9th Avenue lobby. Some argued as to which search engine was better; others questioned why the building was so massive. All showed similar expressions of anxiety through their slumped shoulders and uneasy glances. That is, until the visit officially began.

Judith Eichmann, an Operations Manager at Google and Board member for Generation Schools Network, led the students through the wonderful maze of Google's New York office. The students transformed; with every new, cool, Google branded discovery, they became less apprehensive and more energized. As they did, they began snapping selfies in front of life-like Lego models and brilliantly designed conference rooms. They marveled as each floor they visited boasted a theme more expressive and unique than the last. Awash in amazement, students delighted in each new discovery. Dimitri, a student already interested in computer engineering, wasn't shy in committing himself to Google's workforce: "What do I have to do to work here? I would work here for free!" Other students shared a similar sentiment. David followed up that question with one of his own: "How could someone interested in acting work here?" The luncheon with a varied group of Google professionals took place following the tour to answer student questions.

The students' visit was part of their College and Career Intensive focused on careers in business. After walking through the space and meeting the broad range of professionals who work at Google, students paired off and met with Google employees. The sophomores were able to hear about professionals' passions, academic pursuits, career trajectories and their role in the business. After about an hour of enthusiastic conversations and appreciative goodbyes, students were lobbying for the next visit. An unabashed Tasheka asked, "When are we coming back? Can we come back before Thanksgiving break?" Jaquan was upfront about wanting an internship to sharpen his business skills. "Should I bring business cards the next time we come?" he asked.

We are thankful to Judith Eichmann and Google for hosting the sophomores and for supporting the Intensives courses. These experiences help students connect learning to life, inspiring students to imagine their futures differently while motivating them to succeed in high school, college and career.

Generation Schools Network Launches ESL Course at West Generation Academy

This year as a part of its work with parent and community engagement, Generation Schools Network started a volunteer-taught English as a Second Language (ESL) class for West Generation Academy parents and community members. This is now overseen by the Parent Engagement Specialist AmeriCorps VISTA that GSN placed at WGA. The program consists of weekly morning and evening classes of various levels taught by seven volunteer English teachers. The volunteer teachers work with several ESL students to help them become more familiar with reading, writing, and speaking English. The ESL classes are open to anyone in the WGA community who desires to learn English. This semester's classes will wrap up in December, with a new session of classes starting in January. Thank you to all of our volunteers who are committed to serving the WGA community by giving the gift of English literacy!

Get to Know the Newest AmeriCorps Vistas to Join Generation Schools Network

GSN is enjoying having our AmeriCorps VISTAs on board and want to share a little bit about our three newest collaborators.   

Alicia Vazquez (WGA Parent Engagement and Advocacy): As a former high school social studies teacher, Alicia realized that her students couldn't access the curriculum if there were community, home, and personal issues that were impeding their academic success. As a result, she left the classroom to pursue educational advocacy in public schools. Alicia is a current graduate student at DU's Morgridge College of Education pursuing her doctorate and her research focus is on dropout prevention through truancy reduction initiates. She is passionate about developing sustainable support programs for students and excited to have a positive impact on students and families through her VISTA position. 

Caroline Martin (GSN Social Media and Volunteer Recruitment): Originally from North Carolina, Caroline is a recent graduate in Environmental Science from Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Other than her excitement around moving to Denver, Caroline is grateful for the VISTA opportunity because she is passionate about improving public education in Colorado and increasing opportunities for kids. She is hoping to use her degree in Environmental Science at GSN through organizing the community garden at West Generation Academy. Her youth development experience stems from working several summers at youth camps and she is excited to learn more about the inner workings of the nonprofit world as a VISTA.    

Jason Addams (GSN Community Engagement): Over the past decade, Jason has been a loan consultant, a science teacher, an analyst, and a graduate student. Jason has previous AmeriCorps experience as an NCCC alum, and he looks forward to bringing his talents and experiences to the VISTA program. Jason is looking forward to getting back into serving the community, as well as becoming more familiar with the policy side of the education system - a direction he wishes to pursue upon completing his year-long term as a VISTA. 

Join us in welcoming them and thanking them for their commitment!

Generation Schools Network Supports Colorado Schools in Diagnostic Review and Unified Improvement Planning Process

During the 2015-2016 school year, Generation Schools Network staff have the privilege of working with schools across Colorado to support the diagnostic review and unified improvement planning process in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education. 

GSN is pleased to be partnering to provide services to the following districts and schools: 

Aguilar Reorganized 6 

Aguilar Elementary 

Aguilar Junior/Senior High, Aguilar, CO

 

Huerfeno School District RE - 1 

Peakview K-8, Walsenburg, CO 

Gardner K-8, Gardner, CO 

Bennett 29J 

Bennet Elementary, Bennet, CO 

Crowley County RE-1-J 

Ward Middle School, Ordway, CO 

Mountain Valley RE 1 

Mountain Valley Elementary, Saguache, CO 

Miami/Yoder 60JT 

Miami-Yoder Elementary, Brush, CO 

Spread the Word! Colorado State University's Global Campus Looking for Grant Program Coordinator

This grant funded position is responsible for managing the Teacher Quality grant for CSU-Global Campus and will interact extensively with school districts in southeast Colorado, Generation Schools Network and Battelle for Kids. The position will report to the Provost at CSU-Global but will be located in La Junta, CO.

About the Grant - The Rural district engagement: Santa Fe Trail BOCES (SFTBOCES) grant intends to 1) create and test the efficiency of concurrent enrollment pathway models among high schools in the SFTBOCES, 2) to pilot with CSU-Global two approaches designed to increase the supply of teachers able to teach concurrent enrollment, and 3) to develop and test a brand identify for the SFTBOCES.

For more information about the position and to apply click here!