2008-09 SLP Leadership Development
Project of the Year - Mount Vernon School District
Joint Recipients - Janice Blackmore, LaVenture Middle School
and Armando Ruiz, Mount Vernon High School
“The success of this Leadership Development Project is directly
connected to the skills, commitment and passion that Janice Blackmore
and Armando Ruiz bring to their jobs everyday as secondary Migrant Graduation
Specialists (MGSs),” notes MERO Director Mary Kernel of ESD 189.
“Understanding the impact that leadership development has on student
empowerment and self-advocacy,” adds Kernel, they “set out
to incorporate elements of the SEMY Student Leadership Curriculum into
their work with migrant secondary students.”
Hired in September 2007 to serve Mount Vernon schools through a demonstration
program funded by the Migrant and Bilingual Division of OSPI, both educators
were mentored in 2007/08SY by Patricia Eastwood of SEMY.
Janice Blackmore and Armando Ruiz “studied and practiced the SEMY
leadership curriculum and facilitation methods” and in August 2008
were certified by SEMY as SLP Trainers. An early goal of the two Migrant
Graduation Specialists was to establish relationships with Skagit Valley
College and Western Washington University.
These connections presented opportunities for students to explore career
options and learn about opportunities to continue their education after
high school. In combination with goal setting, problem solving and self-advocacy
skills learned through the SLP Curriculum Blackmore and Ruiz offered in
their local schools, migrant students began to connect their career goals
to success in middle and high school.
A College Spark Foundation grant supported student participation in leadership
development events. “…[Janice Blackmore and Armando Ruiz]
also built relationships with dozens of community members and local organizations,”
says Kernel, who then offered support and volunteer services. With funding
and community involvement, migrant student leaders developed new skills
through four, weekend conferences at college campuses in 2007/08, and
participation in the LEAP Conference in Olympia.
In 2008/09SY, developing migrant student leaders facilitated by Janice
Blackmore and Armando Ruiz helped to organize and coordinate three major
student events. In March 2009, a Parent Leadership Event helped migrant
families learn about their children’s career goals and gain information
and skills needed to encourage and support them. At several Parent Information
Nights, migrant students shared with their families critical information
about graduation requirements, college admission and funding. Mount Vernon’s
migrant youth learned about State government at the LEAP Conference in
Olympia in Spring 2009. In May, they made a presentation to the Board
of Directors of Northwest Educational Service District. In all, several
hundred migrant students have experienced leadership development training
in two short years between the two Mt. Vernon schools.
Even students who typically did not want to participate have become involved
through creative activities like the high school Futsal (soccer) Club
and the middle school Migrant Girls Club. Many students have improved
their attendance, their GPAs, and their credit standing. Migrant students
have been accepted at WWU and earned tuition waivers. “Some who
never even thought about going to college before,” adds Mary Kernel,
“now believe they can and are taking the steps necessary to prepare
themselves for that journey.”
Janice Blackmore and Armando Ruiz were nominated for the State award
by Dan Berard, Principal of La Venture Middle School,
and Mary Kernel, MERO Director, ESD 189.
Congratulations to Migrant Graduation Specialists Janice Blackmore and
Armando Ruiz, and to the migrant students you have encouraged through
your efforts! Your skill and dedication are recognized and appreciated!
Recognition is heartily extended to these educators nominated for the
award:
• Greg Hausske and Crystal Solis,
nominated by Theresa Laffey of Yakima School District
• David Rodriguez, nominated by Sonja McDaniel
of Sunnyside School District
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