For These Students, Building Character Is Par for Course
Program Stresses Personal Growth
Science teacher Ann Staudt gives director Christina Blanco a whiff of the lip balm that students Cheyenne Vaughn, left, and Diamond Thompson made in the Program for Academic and Leadership Skills division of the Youth Leadership Foundation. Below, Chandler Boozer works on a mask for a musical production.
(Photos By Susan Biddle -- The Washington Post)
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Thursday, August 16, 2007
"How do you develop good character?" teacher Michael Hude asked, scanning the eagerly raised hands in his classroom of the Tenley Achievement Program in Northwest Washington.
It was a profound question for the middle school boys to think over, but John Smith, 13, was willing to take a shot: "We develop our character from what we do," he said.
For the 280 students attending summer classes at the Youth Leadership Foundation -- of which the Tenley Achievement Program (TAP) is a part -- talking about responsibility, and learning how to make sound decisions is a central part of their education.
In a class about character, the discussion revolved around morality. Outside the classroom, students work with mentors who help them set personal goals. They earn "Character Counts" points redeemable for rewards such as tickets to sporting events or concerts.
The Youth Leadership Foundation, which was started in 1997, helps struggling students improve their grades and their lives by taking responsibility for their futures.
"We want to get them inspired and motivated to succeed, even in day-to-day stuff," said David Cook, director of the Tenley Achievement Program. "We have speakers who come tell them, 'I made it through hard work and perseverance. There is no way you can't do it.' They show the kids it is possible."
In a separate classroom, three miles southeast of where TAP is located in Tenleytown, Maria Pluta sat in a circle with students in a character class. All the students were girls and were part of the Program for Academic and Leadership Skills, the all-girl division of the Youth Leadership Foundation.
"Your conscience is the road map to your morality," Pluta said.
Boys and girls have been separated at the foundation since it was established, said Michael Barvick, Youth Leadership Foundation executive director.
This summer, TAP enrolled about 160 boys in grades 4 through 9. The Program for Academic and Leadership Skills was attended by about 120 girls in grades 4 through 10. The separation fosters better focus, Barvick said.
"We have these kids for a limited time," he said. "With the sexes separate, we don't have to deal with showing off, especially on the part of the boys. And for the girls, it helps to build their self-esteem and confidence."
Both programs are designed to reach out to average or just-below-average students who typically score grades between a high D and a low B. Roughly 95 percent of the students are black and 5 percent are Hispanic, Barvick said. The foundation operates year-round. During the school year, it offers after-school and weekend tutors. Summer classes are held five days a week.
