As a community...we RISE!

Eight percent of graduates every year from Memphis City schools are, according to standardized test scores, prepared to for college. EIGHT percent. In a city 662,897 people strong, 300 people per year graduate high school ready for college. That's less than my small town high school's graduating class.

Why would I want to share that with you? Where's the hope? Believe me, I could share many more staggering statistics and saddening narratives about education in Memphis, Tennessee. But instead, I want to talk about some positive change that's happening in my city. Change I'm excited about. Change I get to be a part of.

At The Soulsville Charter School located on the campus of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, which is on the site of the original Stax Records, they had their first graduating class this year. The school opened in 2005 and the initial sixth grade class finally made it to graduation day. Want to know how many of them graduated college ready? One hundred percent. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! Every last one of them graduated and was accepted to a college or university! Soulsville is a Title 1 school and is actually a part of Memphis City Schools. Many of the students there face economic challenges as well as additional struggles many kids never have to face. I am so excited to say that I have the great privilege of teaching there starting in the fall!!! I will be teaching middle school language arts, though I don't know what grade. I am also planning on starting an Art Club. See, Soulsville is a very special school. Because of the rich musical history in the area (talent such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Isaac Hayes came out of Stax) the school is very focused on the arts. Almost every student plays a musical instrument and participates in a Symphony Orchestra. They have many after school opportunities including visual arts, which I plan on leading. The school day is extended, and they have some Saturday school sessions. Saturday school usually takes place somewhere around town like the national civil rights museum or another educational location. They also have a summer term. College is key at Soulsville. Most of the kids I spoke with in eighth grade knew where they wanted to go to college. They are pumped about their future! Their mascot is the Tornadoes (go figure, right?) They have a creed that they recite every morning.

As a Community, we RISE.

We are a COMMUNITY because we need each other.

We show RESPECT because we hold others in high regard.

We have INTEGRITY because it’s right.

We are SCHOLARS because our future depends on it.

We have EMPATHY because we care how others feel.

As a Community, we RISE.

I could go on and on about this school and how truly, unbelievably excited I am to both teach and learn at this school. I can't wait.

Learn more about Soulsville by visiting http://www.soulsvillecharterschool.org/