Students learn leadership, 21st century skills, and academic applications with new program
Left to Right: Attorney Starr Wyatt, Principal Walter Collie, student leaders Kala Sutton, Kavon Sykes, Destiny Conyears, Bryianna Fips, and Antoinette Tipton
ST. LOUIS, MO (January 10, 2012) — Imagine Academy of Careers Middle School has new leadership: 8th grader Kala Sutton, School President. The student body and local community gathered yesterday to witness the inauguration of the new school leaders and the ratification of the School’s Constitution and Student Bill of Rights (view the video), which were designed and written by Imagine Careers Middle School students to establish the governance of the school’s new society.
These leaders aren’t merely heading a traditional student council. They are overseeing the operations of a complete new school society. The ceremony yesterday kicks off the creation a complete miniature society within the school that empowers students to take ownership of their learning.
Adding to the careers aspect of the school’s charter, MicroSociety will enable students to learn how to apply academic lessons to real life situations through serving in societal roles as government leaders, entrepreneurs, bankers, peace keepers, and non-profit organizers. Traditional academic subjects are studied and then applied ‘on the job.’ Students collaborate to establish a center of commerce and governance in which every student takes on a societal job and responsibility, while school staff and community leaders facilitate. Learning comes to life with the new MicroSociety program.
Local attorney and parent Starr Wyatt led the swearing in ceremony of the school’s new student leaders. “Today is the day to begin what you are destined to be. There are several things you are going to need to be prepared for and this is where it starts,” Wyatt said.
In her acceptance speech as School President, eighth grader Kala Sutton expressed excitement in leading the school, “Micro will bring our students a chance to have a voice. It will be my job to hear what they have to say and make a decision that is fair to the whole student body. I promise to give 100% of my time and energy to making our school a place where all students can feel safe, learn, achieve, and succeed.”
Imagine Academy of Careers Middle School Principal Walter Collie remarked, “I believe MicroSociety will bring a strong sense of accountability to our students. They are setting their own set of expectations and are learning to live within those perimeters. Kala is a well-rounded
student and leader at our school. She is looked up to by other students and takes many initiatives to be a leader. She started a peer mentoring and tutoring program as well as headed up some service learning projects.”
Imagine Careers Middle MicroSocienty Coordinator Darius Pikes emphasized, “We brought MicroSociety to our school to give our students the opportunity to learn by doing. Micro gives our students a chance to explore the idea of being entrepreneurs, government officials and empowered members of their own society.”
MicroSociety is a nationally-recognized model supported by over 30 years of programmatic research that is changing the educational experience of over 250,000 students nationwide. Community and business leaders are invited to witness MicroSociety at Imagine Careers Middle and develop partnerships aimed at enhancing the students’ real-life application and career responsibilities. Contact Diane Gillaspie in the Imagine St. Louis regional office: (314) 703-9320 or by e-mail: diane.gillaspie@imagineschools.com. Learn more about the national program by visiting www.microsociety.org.
View the video of the Imagine Careers Middle School School President’s inauguration speech.
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Imagine Academy of Careers Middle School is a public charter school in St. Louis educating approximately 400 students in grades 6th through 8th. The introduction of Micro Society further enhances the program of study at Imagine Careers Middle School, in which students learn to compete in the global economy by studying careers, dressing as young professionals, and focusing on the 21st learning skills necessary to succeed. Learn more at www.imaginestlouis.com and www.microsociety,org.
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