Students shine at 2013 Summer Institute
June 28, 2013 - Four years ago, Kwizera Jesus-Marie had just arrived in the United States, having fled genocide in Rwanda and years of struggle in refugee camps across central and southern Africa. Both his parents were killed when he was 18 months old. On Tuesday, Kwizera stood before a crowd of hundreds of educators assembled in a carpeted ballroom at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel near Research Triangle Park to tell them about his dreams and the school -- Middle College at GTCC Greensboro -- that is helping him achieve them.
Gennifer Jones came from rural Anson County to share her story, no less poignant, about a shy girl from middle school who blossomed in high school, thanks to the care, encouragement and challenging instruction from her teachers at Anson Early College. With poise and humor even few adults can match, Gennifer told a story about education at its best. She told a story about growth, and transformation.
Ethan Edwards is the kind of guy who probably would have excelled wherever he'd gone to high school. But he excelled even more given greater opportunity and challenge in far-off Macon County in the Appalachians, where he's from. Sure, he was valedictorian of his class at Macon Early College. He also graduated summa cum laude from Southwestern Community College with an associate degree. Now he's studying mechanical engineering at N.C. State University.
Kiara Antonella Arguijo is quick to seize new opportunities that come her way at East Duplin High School in an agricultural county working hard to create the kinds of opportunities for teaching and learning that put students on course for success in college, careers and life. She told educators at Summer Institute that they shouldn't ease up on their leadership for excellence in education. They're helping change the lives of students like her across Duplin County and across North Carolina.
For all the important discussion during the three days of Summer Institute about pedagogy, policy and practice, the most powerful and concrete message came from the students themselves.
Read more -- in their own words -- the success stories of Kwizera and Gennifer. Or watch video from Summer Institute on our YouTube channel.
