Submitted by Richard Russell, STAR Program Coordinator
STAR Fellows received a commemorative star for their participation.
The University of Michigan-Flint STAR (Smart Teachers As Role Models) Fellows continue to make an educated difference in the lives of inner city youth. The STAR Program, a collaboration of the University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College, and Baker College, is designed to cultivate men of color interested in the teaching profession. The program held its 10th Annual Service Learning Banquet in May 2016 themed Reliving the Impact. Furthermore, the banquet reflected upon two service learning projects and the culmination of service throughout the years.
The STAR Program partnered with the EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) Program to help refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on the plight of African-American males.
Patchwork drawing presented by Freeman Elementary students
In addition, members of STAR conducted the CPC Reading Adventure, an eight week literacy project pilot and precursor to the Christopher Paul Curtis Writing Adventure, focused on The Watson’s go to Birmingham 1963, a book written by locally acclaimed author, Christopher Paul Curtis.
A highlight at the banquet was a presentation dedicated to the STAR Program by Ms. Daphne Jackson and Paishann Curtis’ third grade classrooms. The 16th Street Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama is a major backdrop in the story which generated some discussions on racism and domestic terrorism in America. Subsequently, the third grade students at Freeman Elementary created a patchwork illustration expressing their reactions to the book.
As the STAR Program Coordinator, it was a pleasure to observe my STAR Fellows build relationships with students through various call and response, team building, and reading activities while engaging them in a culturally relevant story connected to Flint, Michigan.