By Scott McClanahan, Ed.D.
In the spring of my senior year, I noticed a trend amongst my classmates: they were all discussing college incessantly. I, however, was not. As the son of a factory worker and a retail sales clerk (neither of whom attended college), I was not having those discussions at my house. I had not met with my guidance counselor for college advice nor had I been approached by any outside entity to help me navigate the college process. My sole source of information was the copious college propaganda that arrived in the mail each day. Impressed by beautiful pictures, stories of campus activities, and lists of amazing opportunities available at the various institutions, I tried to determine where to go, even though I knew my family did not have the financial resources for me to attend. It was not until April of my senior year that I decided on a state school 90 minutes from home; however, by that time, the dorms were full nor had I been awarded financial aid, forcing my parents and me to navigate the worlds of off-campus housing, financial aid, payment plans, and books on our own.
But that was 30 years ago. And we hope — for the large majority of today’s students — circumstances are different. However, an occasional student still moves through the high school system and never receives the message that college is both valuable and available, despite any hardships possessed.
As President of the Heart of Texas P-20 Council, I can confidently state that administrators around the region sponsor fantastic College Readiness programs to assist their students: college and career fairs to motivate students to pursue higher education, college testing (such as ACT, SAT, and ASVAB) preparation that opens opportunities at higher education institutions or in the military, and specialized career preparation classes. From rigorous Career and Technical Education programs, to Advanced Placement and Dual Credit course offerings, to Early College High Schools and early degree programs, our region is leading the charge to impact every student. Today’s local students find it increasingly more difficult to make it through to high school graduation without ever hearing about college, without receiving information about paths to college, or without their post-graduation plans being questioned (usually multiple times).
These conversations are part of our region’s efforts to meet the requirements of the State of Texas’s 60x30TX initiative, an enterprise to keep Texans competitive in the global economy. The 60x30TX initiative has four goals: increase the education level of Texas’s 25 to 34-year-old population; increase degree completion levels at Texas community colleges and universities; increase the marketable skills possessed by high school graduates; and decrease the amount of student debt accrued by college graduates. The state’s fifteen-year strategic plan encompasses these four goals, all to be achieved by 2030. Although formidable, all are attainable with intense, directed action on the part of K-12 systems, higher education institutions, and the community.
The first goal seeks to increase the number of adults ages 25-34 statewide who hold college degrees (2-year or 4-year) or national workforce certifications to 60% by 2030. In an age where the American Center for Progress reports that one in eight Americans lives in poverty, this type of goal is required. A 2012 Brookings Institute study identified two common characteristics of prosperous communities: residents either held a college degree or had earned a workforce certification, and explained this finding economically in a 2015 report: adults aged 25 to 34 who finish college degrees not only earn more annually but also contribute more to the local economies, causing the whole community to flourish. Similarly, specialized certifications allow workers access to a set of higher-paying jobs. Therefore, the goal makes good sense for all of us. However, the 2018 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac reports that in 2016 (the most recent available data) only 42.3% of Texans 25-34 held a degree or certification. Therefore, it is in all our best interests to encourage the young people in our lives to pursue one of these avenues.
The Heart of Texas P-20 council, whose focus is to collaborate, inform, and advocate for seamless pipelines from prekindergarten to career, engages local K-12 systems Waco ISD, Midway ISD, LaVega ISD, and Connally ISD, local charter schools Harmony and Rapoport, higher education partners McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, Prosper Waco, and numerous business representatives in active communication to remove barriers that might exist that prevent students from helping the state to achieve these strategic goals. And, our earnest work toward this mission is seeing results.
At last Tuesday’s McLennan Community College graduation, Rapoport Academy and Waco ISD graduated 13 students with associate degrees before these students had even graduated from their high school.
Waco ISD’s two associate degree graduates with me: Kiara Jackson, Waco High School, and Isabella Lozano, University High School. These young women have both claimed the title of first student in their high schools to graduate with an associate degree.
One Waco High School student, Kiara Jackson, achieved this feat in only three years—graduating from high school a year early and from her associate program three years ahead of schedule. The students completed these degrees at no cost to themselves, helping to meet the state’s fourth strategic goal of reducing student debt levels. These students avoided costs by participating in programs offered at their high schools that are free of charge. Rapoport Academy’s Early College High School and Waco ISD’s ACCELERATE Early Degree Program are just two innovative ways that regional educators are creating options for our students to eventually earn more as workers and contribute to their communities at higher levels as consumers.
Questions about these types of programs can easily be answered by a high school counselor or current participant; however, three main misconceptions tend to keep students from taking advantage of these types of opportunities:
How does a student have time to meet all the high school graduation requirements and complete a college degree at the same time? Do they have a longer year, go to night school, or have to attend during the summer? – “Dual credit” classes allow students to earn both high school and college credits at the same time. For example, MCC’s History 1302 can be taken to fulfill both the required credit for high school US History and to complete the U.S. History course requirement for any degree issued at a Texas public college or university. Therefore, with smart planning, students can complete classes that earn credit towards high school graduation and a college degree.
How does a student know what classes will be accepted by universities, particularly out of state? Who will help them navigate that? – McLennan Community College advisors are extremely knowledgeable about transfer credits and acceptance of classes. Advisors are required to meet each semester with students prior to enrollment, once two classes are completed. During this advising, they will ask students what schools interest them and what their anticipated majors will be. From that, advisors will determine the best classes for the students. Parents and students can always verify transfer policies for any college by calling the transfer coordinator (whose name can be found on the college’s website) to discover how transfer coursework will be accepted once the student is admitted to the university.
Does this type of program keep students from participating in other school activities? – Because students are accelerating their instruction (sometimes by up to four grade levels), they should consider limiting participation in some activities, especially those that cause them to miss school frequently or require long practice hours outside of the school day. Since grades in these courses impact the students’ high school and college GPAs, an overloaded schedule many times will avert focus from academics (or cause students to have tremendous worry about those academics) and performance suffers. This does not mean students must give up all extra-curricular activities. They can participate in activities such as band or choir, sports, and clubs; however, they should make wise choices when investing time and carefully evaluate the time commitment required of each activity before committing to it.
Perhaps if these types of opportunities had been offered when I was a senior, I would have taken advantage of them and saved myself a great deal of time, money, and stress. We have programs to help increase college access throughout our community—Communities in Schools, VOICE, Project Link, just to name a few. Parents who did not attend college should not feel embarrassed about asking for guidance on how to help their children navigate this process. We are all in this together: schools, businesses, the P20 council and the State of Texas. Together, we can meet the state’s challenge and meet its lofty goal, while simultaneously helping to make Waco a more prosperous community.
Dr. Scott McClanahan is the Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for the Waco Independent School District. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Dr. McClanahan moved to Texas to earn both his Masters degree and Doctorate. He has been a middle school and high school teacher, a community college professor, and a university adjunct professor.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Christine Holecek
Preparing local students for a successful journey through school and college to careers is critical to the well-being and growth of our community. The Heart Of Texas P-20 works to promote streamlined, transparent degree pathways for students to move quickly and successfully through their education and onto college and/or a career. The Heart of Texas (HOT) P-20 brings together representatives from the independent school districts (ISD), institutions of higher education (IHE), Region 12 Education Service Center, industry and government across six counties: Bosque, Hill, Falls, Limestone, Freestone and McLennan to work towards this goal.
The HOT P-20 mission can best be summarized as follows:
- Collaborating by building cross-community team to address education and career possibilities for all students.
- Informing our diverse communities about ongoing initiatives, best practices and available resources.
- Advocating for educational best practices with at the state and local levels.
Upcoming Activities include
Collaborating:
Heart of Texas P-20 Forum “State of Education Conference” (Session# 146917) – April 26, 2018 – 11:00 to 2:00 – Education Service Center Region 12
Informing:
A look at SAT from a Math Perspective (Session #126532) – February 27, 2018 – 9:00 to – 4:00 – Education Service Center Region 12
21st Century New, Emerging, and Evolving Careers (Session #126482) March 1, 2018 – 9:00 to 12:00 – Education Service Center Region 12
CTE Quarterly Network Meeting (Session #126446) – April 26, 2018 – 9:00 to 11:00 – Education Service Center Region 12
Connect3 Conference – June 6-8, 2018 – ESC Region 12
Counselor Summer Fly-In – June 11-15, 2018 – MCC/TSTC
Advocating (Student Events):
Construction and Welding Expo “Build Your Future” – March 23, 2018 – 8:00 to 3:30 – Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy
YES! Expo – May 15, 2018 – 8:00 to 4:00 – Extraco Events Center
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Christine Holecek. Christine is an Education Specialist at Education Service Center Region 12 in Waco. She has worked in the area of Adult Education and Career & Technical Education for the past 25 years. She earned an AAS degree from MCC, a BAAS and Master’s Degree from the University of North Texas and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Tarleton State University.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
(The Heart of Texas P-20 Council includes representatives from K-12 education, higher education and employers. They meet regularly to help coordinate efforts to launch our young people into productive lives as workers and citizens. This post is one in a monthly series of posts intended to share information about the work of this important group in our community. For more posts in this series, click here: P-20 education. – ALW)
By Christine Holecek
All across Texas, students are finding their voices, setting goals, and taking steps towards securing their own successful futures. Through these efforts, they become an integral part of a growing movement known as Generation TX. These students are what’s next for our state. They have the power to become the most successful generation ever.
What is Generation TX Month? Generation TX Month combines college admissions and financial aid application efforts into one. Generation TX Month events are designed to take place when schools and community organizations typically host college fairs, financial aid drives, and other college and career-related events. The Generation TX Month provides the perfect opportunity to build on these initiatives around college and career readiness, pull them together to make a broader impact, and expand their reach.
Generation TX Month focuses on getting students, especially those in middle school and high school, thinking about their future with a range of actions and next steps that they can take toward college and career readiness, including:
Prepare (Middle & High School Students)
- Career Exploration
- Finding a Mentor
- Creating a Brag Sheet
- College Visits
- PSAT, SAT, ACT
Apply (High School Seniors)
- College Applications
- Financial Aid Applications
- College Scholarships
Download your planning guide today
The Heart of Texas P-20 Council believes that achieving college and career readiness allows students to reach their fullest potential. By accepting the GenTX challenge the council is acknowledging the focus on the future of our workforce and encouraging them to focus on their goals for college and career. GenTX also provides a college planning and financial aid guide to help parents and students make decisions about the future.
Download College Planning & Financial Aid Guide
Student Tools
- ApplyTexas – If you are applying to a public two-year or four-year institution in Texas, you will need to complete the ApplyTexas application. This application is available at www.ApplyTexas.org. Once completed, you can use this one application to apply to many schools across Texas.
- Applying for Financial Aid – The FAFSA is the primary form you will need to apply for most financial aid
- College Major – What College Major is best for you? Find out at MyMajors After taking this assessment, you will be recommended the top majors, colleges and careers based on your academic achievements, interests and personality.
Generation Texas Month supports the regional efforts and goals of the 60x30TX Texas Challenge to Reach Higher, an initiative to increase college applications, FAFSA completions, and college readiness across Texas.
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Christine Holecek. Christine is an Education Specialist at Education Service Center Region 12 in Waco. She has worked in the area of Adult Education and Career & Technical Education for the past 25 years. She earned an AAS degree from MCC, a BAAS and Master’s Degree from the University of North Texas and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Tarleton State University.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Diego Loredo
Finally, after coming to University of North Texas, I am close to graduating with a degree in public relations. I first attended UNT in 2014 and now I am set to graduate next semester in May. The time has seriously flown by and here are just a few things that I have experienced and am dealing with right now.
Throughout my years at UNT, I have met many great people. I’ve met them in my dorm during my freshman year, in class, at work, or even just walking through campus or through downtown Denton. However, there’s a group of people that I especially am grateful to have met. I met these guys during my freshman year and what really got us together was soccer. We competed in outdoor and indoor soccer intramurals at UNT and have done it every semester ever since. Not only that, but we go out together a lot. Whether it’s to a party, to a restaurant, or even to go out of town, we’re usually together. These guys are more than my friends, they’re my brothers and having them by my side has made this senior year a lot less stressful.
One thing that I have realized is that time waits for no one. I’m almost at the end of my college career and I am in need of experience, work experience. I have attended a few college fairs and am also applying to several internships. This is something I wish I had done sooner because now I am kind of in a rush to get an internship for next semester. In the school I’m in we are required to intern somewhere in order to graduate. I could have done one during the summer but I was struggling financially back then so I decided to work instead. Now that I’m fine (financially) I am doing my best to find an internship that best suits my needs and what I want to do after college.
With senior year comes a lot of stress and this is something that I am currently dealing with. “Will I be able to graduate in time?” “Will I pass my classes?” “What about an internship? Is there anyone who will allow me to intern there?” These are all questions that go through my mind every day, along with many others.
Senior year can be scary. In less than a year, I’ll be out there on my own starting my own career. I get anxious whenever I think about it but I also get excited at the many opportunities that are available. Whenever I get stressed out, I talk to my roommates about it or I talk to my closest friends. It’s crucial to have that group of friends that you can always count on to help you when you’re feeling stressed out. Another way that I have dealt with it is going out, either to eat or to just get out of the house. This helps get my mind off of what is bothering me and has worked a lot this year and previous years as well.
Not everything is going to go your way in college. I’ve failed classes, embarrassed myself many times, struggled both academically and financially, and I’ve been discouraged whenever I see other people doing things better than me. But I’ve never let it keep me down. I’ve retaken those classes with the help of other friends, I’ve come to accept the times I’ve embarrassed myself and even joked about it a few times, I got over my financial struggle and am working to get over my academic struggle, and I now get motivated whenever I see someone in a better situation than me. You learn a lot about yourself during college. My goal now is to finish this semester strong and go home to enjoy the holidays with my family before I take my final semester at UNT. I plan on taking it day-by-day and make sure I take in every bit of “the college life” before I move on to the next step in my career.
Diego Loredo is a senior at the University of North Texas and is majoring in public relations. He is a scholarship recipient of the Brazos Education Foundation, otherwise known as “Brazos Scholars.” He graduated from University High School in 2014. He plans on working in sports PR or for a nonprofit. He loves to play soccer and is a huge FC Dallas fan.
By Christine Holecek
The mission of the Heart of Texas P-20 Council is to assist with the collaboration of education, business, and community to maximize the utilization of resources, programs and services for all students while encouraging a culture of life-long learning. We envision that all students can reach their true potential as happy, healthy, productive and self-sufficient citizens. One local event that helps with this mission is S.T.E.A.M. Day.
The City of Waco, along with ESC Region 12, is hosting its annual S.T.E.A.M. Day on October 11. Geared towards middle and high school students in the Central Texas area, this event helps students explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, architecture, arts and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.). Participating students will be able to speak directly with professionals about career choices in various fields. S.T.E.A.M. Day is a free, come-and-go exhibition for schools and at the Waco Convention Center. The attendance has continued to grow over the past several years. Last year over 2,200 students from 40 schools registered for the event, along with 86 exhibitors from various career fields. Our exhibitor roster included local manufacturing companies, higher education establishments, engineering and architecture firms, and also high school robotics teams. This event is free to exhibitors as well.
This is an awesome event for students to get a hands-on opportunity to see future careers in action. This event has morphed over the years from “Engineering Day” to “STEM Day” and now “STEAM” Day. This event is held annually in October to inspire students to pursue careers in the community in science, technology, engineering, architecture, art and mathematics. This event is hosted by the City of Waco Public Works Department. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2017 at the Waco Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Christine Holecek. Christine is an Education Specialist at Education Service Center Region 12 in Waco. She has worked in the area of Adult Education and Career & Technical Education for the past 25 years. She earned an AAS degree from MCC, a BAAS and Master’s Degree from the University of North Texas and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Tarleton State University.
By Dasjaevian Dixon
We all face certain challenges in college. I struggled consistently with time management and finding study strategies that worked for me. But, I am now more strategic and resourceful in overcoming those struggles.
I was not working during my first year of school at the University of North Texas. That allowed me to have extra downtime to enjoy my experience as an incoming freshman. As a freshman, I had plenty of time to take care of my academic studies, socialize, and participate in extracurricular activities. However, that time swiftly diminished the following year.
I started my first year-round job as a college student the fall of my sophomore year. I was enrolled in 15 credit hours, working 25 hours a week, and involved in 3 organizations. This is when time management started to become vital to my success in the classroom as well as my physical health. I was moving around during the week so much that I forgot to stop and eat sometimes. I was worried about accomplishing everything that I committed to do.
Balancing my priorities and allocating an appropriate amount of time to each responsibility was a huge challenge. I started using my planner more often than I did the previous year. That helped me keep up with work and due dates. It also helped me organize priorities. That, along with the help of my mentors, allowed me to get through the semester without being overly stressed. My mentors assisted in keeping me level headed by providing positive feedback. I am very appreciative of what they have done for me thus far.
When I have felt discouraged, my family and mentors have been there to encourage me. Having a strong support system has been a valuable way for me to overcome challenges dealing with time management. Transitioning from one semester to another is easier now. However, there is always room for improvement.
Studying and taking exams sometimes bring anxiety. I have not always been the best test taker. First exams are usually more difficult for me due to not knowing what to expect, the format, etc. The lower level courses generally didn’t require me to study as much as I have to for higher level courses now. It has been difficult for me to adopt a specific study routine, because all of my courses vary in regard to concepts and material that we are tested over.
Some classes require more focus than others. As I start my last year as an undergraduate, I have learned that studying for at least 30 minutes to an hour after class can help me retain information more thoroughly. Unfortunately, most days require me to put a lot of focus on my job and organization activities. Remember that balance?
Now, studying is more efficient when I plan a week in advance before an exam instead of waiting until a few days before. The challenge of finding an effective study method has made me embrace planning. When I study efficiently for a short amount of time, I do better than when I study for an extended amount of time during a two or three-day span. This has allowed me to pace myself and figure out what I need to change to see better exam results.
Challenges allow us to learn and grow. They are inevitable. You can either look at it from a positive or negative perspective. I have chosen to use them as learning tools to become a better student and person. I have shared my insight in an effort to motivate other students to embrace and overcome the challenges they are faced with throughout college. Learning is everlasting.
Dasjaevian Dixon is an undergraduate student at the University of North Texas studying Marketing with a double minor in Decision Sciences and Psychology. He is currently interning at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Dasjaevian is a Brazos Education Foundation scholar. He currently serves as the Vice President for The Presidential Men, an organization he helped implement at UNT. He also assists with helping grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Owning his own business in the future is one of his top goals. As a millennial, he is building on his personal and professional skills to become a valuable asset in the business field.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
(During December we will be reprising some of “2017’s greatest hits” from the Act Locally Waco blog. I couldn’t possibly pick my favorites – so I used the simple (cop out?) approach of pulling up the 10 blog posts that got the most “opens” according to our Google Analytics. It is an intriguing collection that gives at least a little insight into the interests and concerns of Act Locally Waco readers. I hope this “Top 10” idea inspires you to go back and re-read your personal favorites. There have been so many terrific ones… If you would like to see the Top 10 according to Google Analytics, here’s the link: 2017 Greatest Hits. Merry Christmas! — ABT)
By Kassidy Munden
After my first year of college, I began to realize there were things I really (and I mean really) wish I had known in high school to help make my transition to college smoother.
The first thing I would advise any high schooler would be to take the high school anatomy class. I didn’t think I would ever need anatomy in my future profession, or even have to take it in college, but I could not have been more wrong about that. High school students considering going to college should seriously consider taking an anatomy class. My biggest regret about not taking anatomy in high school was that when I got to college, I was far behind my classmates and didn’t know a single thing. You can imagine how well a 100-question test over blood flow in the body went for me three weeks into my freshman year.
The second thing I would recommend for any high schooler would be to take dual credit in high school. Looking back on high school, that had to be one of the best educational decisions I made to prepare for college. Thanks to dual credit, I had all of my core English classes completed by the time I began college. Not only was it one less major class I had to take, I also learned how to properly write college papers. This helped me in my other classes as well, because in every class, even math, I had to write some type of proper essay. Knowing how to format and write these essays before my freshman year paid off in a huge way. I wish I had known to take more of the dual credit classes my high school offered, because even though they seemed difficult, they were more rewarding in the long run than they seemed at the time.
The third thing I wish I had known was to take the college transition class offered. Most high schools offer a college transition class and extend the class to all seniors. I did take this class, but I wish I had taken it more seriously. This class teaches students about life in college and how to live on your own, as well as educational enhancements such as how to build a resume. Looking back now, I wish I had learned how to build a proper resume, because that is something I will need for anything and everything. Most freshmen take classes requiring them to build a resume of some sort, and trust me, learning about it in detail in high school is easier than trying to learn it on your own in college.
The fourth and final thing I wish I had known was to get a job or internship. Most high school students declare their major “undecided” when entering their freshman year of college, which is completely normal. However, I wish I had explored more job opportunities and taken internships. These not only look great on a resume but also help you develop an idea of what you might actually want to get a degree in. Having more of a background in several different positions makes you a more diverse and knowledgeable individual. Did I mention it also will give you a stronger resume when you apply for college? That is key for all aspiring college students.
High school is a profound experience-building time for everyone, and I highly recommend that college-bound students seek out all of the opportunities available, because they definitely will pay off in the long run.
Kassidy Munden is a summer intern at ESC Region 12 in the College and Career Readiness/CTE department. She is a student at Texas Tech University and wanted to share her wisdom with current high school students.
By Dasjaevian Dixon
Searching for a job or an internship can be a tedious process. But researching and making genuine connections can help to ease that process. Last year, I utilized Eagle Network as a vital resource to find the Disney College Program internship, which is available for all students at the University of North Texas.
Eagle Network is an excellent resource for finding jobs, internships, and shadowing opportunities. After I found out about the Disney College Program, I researched the company and what it has to offer – not only to potential employees but for the millions of guests from all over the world who visit Walt Disney World annually. My excitement began once I learned that Disney was a Fortune 500 company that places great emphasis on guest satisfaction and opens doors for its interns’ occupational growth. After reading these descriptions, I knew the company would be a great fit for me.
I followed up with Disney’s recruitment team after applying to make sure an interview was secured. The interview lasted about 20 minutes. I was excited about the big break afterwards, but nervous regarding what to expect. After the over-the-phone interview, I sent a follow-up email expressing how thankful I was to even have the chance to be interviewed by a Disney recruiter.
I highly encourage all students to take advantage of resources offered from your school. Every interview will not be great. Every job you apply for will not be handed to you. However, you must stay persistent. Keep putting forth an effort to build and gain employment skills that will be vital to your eventual career of choice.
A great tool I would recommend in helping your job/internship search is LinkedIn. This unique social network for employers can mark the difference between an overlooked candidate and potential hire. I recommend using LinkedIn to reach out to as many professionals as possible.
My internship was a great learning experience overall, as well as a lot of fun. At the same time, I began it with several challenges – some of which came from simply adjusting to it. But that’s a part of every process, right?
It was difficult adjusting financially and physically when I arrived in Orlando, Florida, in April. It was also challenging to maintain a new schedule. Plus, I only had $300 dollars to my name. I had to use Uber numerous times to get around until I found someone who could provide transportation. Although most of my destinations were nearby, the money I spent on Uber accumulated quickly.
My normal routine consisted of attending classes, working, exercising, and socializing. That didn’t work out so well for the first 6 weeks of the internship. Before I knew it, I was working about 45 hours a week while taking 2 online classes through UNT. I couldn’t work out or socialize as much as I wanted to.
Working 6 days a week for about 2 months made me embrace time management more than I ever have. As much as it made me find a balance, it motivated me to improve my health to endure the long work days. I started cooking breakfast every morning and taking vitamins which helped tremendously. In return, I could get through the week without being so fatigued.
One thing I really looked forward to was volunteering alongside the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a wish granter. I knew Disney had a close partnership with the foundation, and I wanted to utilize that as a way to give back to the community.
Before passing away in July of 2007, my younger sister made a wish to attend a Ne-Yo concert while recovering from our bone marrow transplant. Her immune system was not strong enough for traveling, so Make-A-Wish made a way for her to attend a WWE event in San Antonio, Texas instead. She had the time of her life meeting some of her favorite wrestlers – especially her favorite, John Cena. He currently grants many wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
I had my own chances to help grant wishes for 2 children in the Orlando area – in May and June respectively. Both of the families I interacted with were genuinely happy that their child would do something fun to aid them through challenging turmoil. Fortunately, I left both families’ homes feeling like I was a part of their units. It has been a wonderful experience being a part of the world’s largest wish granting organization. I look forward to continuing to serve in the North Texas region.
I’ve developed genuine relationships with people worldwide. Interacting and learning about different cultures with the international students I worked with was a blast. It strengthened my comprehension of how to communicate and made me eager to visit different countries.
At work, I was able to network with many people from different backgrounds. I did my best in making sure that guests felt comfortable and welcomed whenever they visited our store. I had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations that I will remember for the rest of my life. Throughout my internship, I interacted with thousands of guests and I am now more comfortable when speaking to large audiences or individuals that I’m meeting for the first time.
As a young professional, I’ve sharpened valuable skills which make me an important asset in the business field. Some of those skills include being personable, practicing effective communication, identifying problems, and providing ample solutions. Now, I can find a perfect balance between hard work and participating in extracurricular activities.
Most importantly, I still enjoyed the recreational activities Walt Disney World offered. On my off days, I visited theme parks and traveled around Florida. Being in this enlightening atmosphere every day has inspired me to continue working hard and enjoying the treasures of life. I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and experience. Thank you and best regards to everyone who continues supporting and encouraging me on this formative professional journey.
Dasjaevian Dixon is an undergraduate student at the University of North Texas studying Marketing with a double minor in Decision Sciences and Psychology. He is currently interning at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Dasjaevian is a Brazos Education Foundation scholar. He currently serves as the Vice President for The Presidential Men, an organization he helped implement at UNT. He also assists with helping grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Owning his own business in the future is one of his top goals. As a millennial, he is building on his personal and professional skills to become a valuable asset in the business field.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
by Carrie Arroyo
Summer is my time to relax, eat too much ice cream, run through the sprinkler in the front yard with my kids, and watch the hummingbirds eat from our Turk’s Cap off the front porch. But because I work on a school calendar schedule and have 3 youngsters who will all be in school this fall, it is impossible to escape the inevitable hanging over our heads: school is only 1 month away! Sorry to bring it up and crush your dreams of endless fire fly chasing at dusk, but I do have some suggestions that will help ease the transition back in to school and contribute to a successful school year for kids, families, and teachers alike.
We would love to silo academic success as only being influenced by the amount of study time, quality of textbooks and teaching skills, and intellectual capacity. But the reality is that it is also directly influenced by our physical, mental, and social well-being. Our mental wellness is a key component to achieving academically. Wellness requires the active pursuit of health instead of treatment of illness. When we build wellness practices in to our lives, we are building up our reservoir of mental resources so that when stressful and challenging times hit, we have an ample supply of mental energy and flexibility to withstand added demands. Mental wellness also helps us to flourish in our daily lives. And if we want our children to succeed and flourish in school, there are few things we can do to help them pursue mental wellness. (flower)
5 Tips for Increasing Mental Wellness at School
1. Focus on learning over perfection. My 9-year-old is wired in such a way that he hates to try something new unless he is 100% sure he is going to be able to master it quickly. One of the first times this became obvious was when he was learning to tie his shoes when he was 4. In an effort to get him to persist in this new and challenging task, we mandated mistake-making. He was required to make at least 5 mistakes and we celebrated wildly with claps, cheers, and dance parties every time he messed up. This made him laugh and loosen up and be willing to keep trying (and keep messing up) until he mastered the task. The focus in school performance too easily becomes the grade that comes home on the paper or report card. Instead of rewarding or punishing the grade, focus on rewarding and reinforcing the learning. We need to cultivate this culture and build in an expectation of curiosity and experimentation that feeds creativity. Kids need to know that they are safe to make mistakes and that the classroom and their families will still accept them and appreciate them for what they bring to the learning process.
2. Connection, Belonging and Trust. As much as teachers would like to think it’s true, very few students wake up excited to go to school in order to learn a new algebra equation. When I ask my kids about their most memorable moments of the school day, they usually center around an interpersonal interaction. Whether it was a game they played on the playground with friends or a hug they received from their teacher, they feel energized by points of connection throughout the day. These moments of attention to who they are as individuals and appreciation of their presence, are little deposits in to the mental wellness bank. And when they are feeling positive about themselves and their school environment, their ability to learn that new math fact increases exponentially.
Picture of my son Ezekiel and his Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Draper on the first (left) and last (right) day of school in 1st grade. From fear and apprehension, to love, acceptance, and success!
3. Be Proactive and Limit Surprises. I love a good surprise. One of my biggest pet peeves is someone telling me the ending of a book or movie before I have had the chance to experience it myself. However, there are some situations where limiting surprises can help our minds, hearts, and spirits to thrive; and school is one of these situations. For families, be proactive and visit your child’s school ahead of time: meet key people, find the cafeteria and bathrooms, walk your class schedule before bells are ringing and other people are bumping in to you. For schools, minimize complications for families and students: have clear signs and make sure procedures are easy to find and follow. Streamline things as much as possible. Clear and consistent communication helps to clear up a multitude of misunderstandings and can make the school environment much more inviting to students and families. So caregivers, don’t stop surprising kids with unexpected notes of encouragement in their lunch boxes such as “Good luck on your science test” or “I hope you have a great day” and teachers, don’t stop giving the surprise gift of dropping the lowest test grade at the end of the grading period, but also make sure you give plenty of information and guidance up front to demystify the experience.
4. Routine helps children’s brains navigate the world. As they experience new things, their brains sort the information, assimilate it in to their thinking process, and adapt and grow as they learn new things. Providing structure to a child’s day helps them to thrive. This starts at home before they come to school with adequate sleep, a good morning greeting, and a hug before they walk out the door. Building in routines that give attention to physical needs is also directly tied to mental wellness. Kids need to eat well, be sufficiently hydrated, and get some exercise. Moving the body can do wonders for opening up the mind and being ready to learn. Building brain breaks in to the routine keeps the mind flexible and responsive to the learning environment.
5. Focus on what works. The ‘power of positive thinking’ is not just an old phrase; it is actually helpful to build up our mental wellness. Our brains tend to repeat the things that we focus on the most. If we are constantly focusing on what a child has done wrong and giving attention to it, it is actually more likely to increase. Telling kids what we want to see and encouraging positive behaviors increases the likelihood of positive behavior and habits. When something goes wrong, offer the child the opportunity to redo a mistake. I know this can be hard for those of us who grew up thinking the best way to train a child is to be hard and strict with more of a “get it right the first time or else” approach. But what we know from research is that we remember what we do – whether that is doing it wrong or right. Take the time to give a child the opportunity to redo an action they originally got wrong so that their motor memory can store the right way to do it. It will increase the likelihood that they will get it right the next time. Yes, it takes time, but is time well spent. And at the end of it, the adult and child are both celebrating a success rather than fuming over a mistake. This builds a more connected and collaborative relationship by increasing positive thoughts and feelings.
Carrie Arroyo works hard as a Lecturer in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University where she teaches soon-to-be social workers and coordinates the BEAR (Be Emotionally Aware and Responsive) Project with Waco ISD. She also plays hard as a mom of 3 energetic kids: Jonas (9), Ezekiel (7) and Eden (4) and wife to Fernando in their North Waco neighborhood.
By Christine Holecek
The mission of the Heart of Texas P-20 Council is to assist with the collaboration of education, business, and community to maximize the utilization of resources, programs and services for all students while encouraging a culture of life-long learning. We envision that all students can reach their true potential as happy, healthy, productive and self-sufficient citizens.
We believe that achieving college and career readiness allows students to reach their fullest potential. Continual improvement of teaching and learning processes is a key ingredient to success. We also believe that the economic vitality of the region is interdependent, requiring the collaboration of education, business, and community resources.
Below is the HOT P-20 profile of a high school graduate. It is meant to encourage dialogue between students, teachers, counselors, parents and community members in planning for college career and beyond. The HOT P-20 Council, through the *AVATAR Project (a project that invites high school teachers/counselors to meet with Higher ed teachers/counselors to coordinate their work) has adopted this profile utilizing a document created by Waco ISD several years ago. This document provides talking points and suggestions. This document is a work in progress and will be updated annually as part of the HOT P-20 Regional Council strategic.
Profile of a High School Graduate
A responsible decision maker
- Who uses creative problem-solving and conflict resolution kills effectively
- Who uses critical thinking, knowledge and reasoning to effectively evaluate information and make sound decisions
A confident life-long learner
- Who demonstrates mastery of skills in the core content areas
- Who analyzes, evaluates, and applies new information
- Who is an inquisitive self-learner
A healthy individual
- Who practices emotional and physical wellness, including nutrition, hygiene, sexual responsibility, and physical fitness
- Who demonstrates responsible life management skills in social, interpersonal and family relationships
- Who manages time, money, environmental and other resources in a responsible and effective manner
A literate communicator
- Who is proficient in academic and technological skills
- Who effectively expresses ideas using a variety of methods, including written and spoken languages, mathematics, science and the arts
- Who is multilingual
- Who uses appropriate social and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate in a global society
An informed citizen
- Who promotes democratic principles in a multicultural society
- Who demonstrates patriotism and citizenship through community service and participation in the democratic process
- Who understands, respects, and values all cultures
A productive worker
- Who generates quality goods and services
- Who demonstrates adaptability
- Who practices a good work ethic
- Who demonstrates leadership and participation skills
- Who takes ownership of his/her future through goal setting, decision making, and efforts aimed at continual improvement
A well-rounded individual
- Who is guided by honorable values, morals, and ethics
- Who demonstrates an appreciation of, and participation in, the arts
- Who displays genuine global, cultural, and spiritual awareness and respect
- Who is accountable for his/her actions
If you would like to get involved in the conversation or join our initiatives contact our new chair for 2017-2018 school year, Dr. Scott McLanahan. He can be reached at [email protected]. Initiatives for 2017-2018 include Vertical Alignment (AVATAR project), Groundhog Job Shadow Day, Waco ISD/Prosper Waco Internship Program and the Annual State of Education Conference. For more information on the HOT P-20 council: www.hotp20.org.
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Christine Holecek. Christine is an Education Specialist at Education Service Center Region 12 in Waco. She has worked in the area of Adult Education and Career & Technical Education for the past 25 years. She earned an AAS degree from MCC, a BAAS and Master’s Degree from the University of North Texas and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Tarleton State University.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.