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Teaching Kids Whole-Life Skills
La Tasha Vanzie talks with student Destine Davis about filling out a bank deposit slip as part of the Job Club at the Arts and Technology Academy.
(By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)
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The resulting program works to empower students to make choices that look toward the future. It incorporates varied components to encourage responsible habits and provides a corresponding curriculum for parents to ensure that the same lessons are taught at home.
During the weekend sessions, students get educational support through tutoring and test prep courses. They stage plays, create art and practice "lifetime sports" such as golf, tennis and tae kwon do -- activities that help develop self-control and promote individual effort. Participants also will begin to receive comprehensive medical and dental care.
Throughout the week, the Carrera classes are incorporated into the overall curriculum. "We were not going to take a Christmas tree ornament kind of approach," tacking it onto what was already being taught, said Errick Greene, the head of school.
Math class is coupled with Job Club, an introduction to the world of work. Students learn financial literacy alongside life lessons such as giving a handshake. They run for mayor, apply for chief executive positions and learn to write checks. Each student earns a $3 hourly stipend for participating in Job Club, and this month they'll open bank accounts to begin saving their earnings. "We want them to see money as a vehicle that gives you choices," Shastry said. "All that money in that account will continue to grow until they graduate high school."
Each savings account is funded by philanthropist Christopher J. Carrera, a son of Michael Carrera. He provides $25 per youth. The students have just received the seed money to open their accounts.
Power Group sessions offer a mental health component, through which students can talk and learn conflict resolution. Coed Family Life classes help them understand their changing bodies and become comfortable with speaking openly about sexuality.
The Carrera program has been replicated in seven states. But the academy is one of the first schools to integrate coursework into the school day. Carrera organizers say the in-school model, which was first tried in Baltimore last year, is the future for the program.
"In all the years we've been doing it, it's never been as seamless as it's been" at the District school, Carrera said.
"Having the Carrera Trust is helping me to really challenge what experiences I want for all my students," Greene said. He's already seeing that with Carrera, his students "have a real knowledge and understanding of who they are."
Prospective CEO Anfeni seems to have a good idea of whom she's going to become. "It teaches me how to be an adult," she said.
