My next stop was Blackshear Elementary School, and as I pulled up, students greeted and welcomed me with smiles and high-fives.
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| Dr. Dow and Dr. Cruz greet students. |
From there, they walked me to the library, where I met the school librarian, Mr. Grape. He had a little fun with the first day of school and sported this awesome grape costume – think Fruit-of-the-Loom-style outfit. (see photo)
During our walk through the campus, we entered a hallway where staff members, inspired by the convocation, did a little art on their own. Each had hung their hand-drawn portraits and statements about what they’re committed to this school year. Blackshear Principal Betty Jenkins said the campus did the drawings as a team-building activity to identify and build on each other’s strengths. Many of the statements inspired me—One stated, in both English and Spanish “I am committed to motivating students to READ, READ, READ! Me comprometo a motivar a los estudiantes a LEER, LEER, LEER!”
Principal Jenkins and her staff members, students and families have a lot to celebrate this school year. The campus has an outstanding accountability rating and earned the maximum number of academic distinctions a school can earn from the Texas Education Agency this year.
We stopped in just as fourth-grade teacher April Tabor was beginning an activity. She incorporates drama-based instruction in her classroom, which uses interactive games, role-playing and improvisation techniques to help creatively engage students in learning.
Because it’s the first day of school, the students and I did an icebreaker activity. We worked as a team to form the shape of things like a palm tree and elephant with our arms. The activity was like Simon Says, and if you didn’t pay attention closely you were out of the game. Sadly, despite our best efforts and use of listening skills, Chief Schools Officer Paul Cruz and I were some of the first to be out of the game.
Then we sat in on third-grade teacher Mr. Timothy Mercer’s class, where students were reading the book “Third Grade Angels.” Mr. Mercer told his students that one of the most important questions you can ask a person is “What are you reading?” As a rule, he said, any time he’s checking out at the grocery store, he will ask clerks to name their favorite childhood book. Sure enough, when he asked us, all of the grownups lit up and started sharing our favorites.
There are many district, campus and community-based initiatives that contribute to the success at Blackshear. Among them is one of my favorite events each year: Role Model Day. The annual event at the campus brings in professionals from the community to discuss their careers, the importance of education and to inspire students to stay in school and work hard.
This past year was my third year to participate in the event, and I had a blast! Read about the experience here.
After a great tour and class activity with the students, it was time for dismissal. I met with Rebecca Birdwell—one of AISD’s many talented staff members who help keep our students safe by directing traffic and helping them cross the street.
My time at Blackshear was just another reminder of how our district has to work as a whole system to be successful. It takes thousands of hardworking people, all coming together—from teachers, to librarians and cross guards—to ensure our students are prepared for college, career and life.
As we were leaving the campus, I was reminded of the school’s rich history and snapped this photo of the Historical Marker outside of Blackshear. The school opened in 1891 to provide free, public education to African-American students. Four decades later, it was renamed to Blackshear Elementary School to honor Edward I. Blackshear, a 19th-century teacher and principal.
Blackshear is close to downtown Austin and now serves an ethnically diverse population of students from pre-k through sixth grade. As the Historical Marker outside of the campus states, “Blackshear is an important part of Austin's educational history.”
Indeed it is. And what an honor it is for each of us to be a part of that growing history.
Thanks for a great visit, Blackshear!