From an Ethiopian refugee child to a successful Harvard graduate, Mawi Asgedom shares with young teens his life story and the secrets of his success. This is a super motivational text that gives great goal-setting strategies, wise advice, and speaks to kids in an accessible and inspiring voice.
My AVID 7th graders live up to the name of the class they attend, "Advancement Via Individual Determination." This is a college-bound program for students who are underrepresented on college campuses, or would be first generation college graduates in their families.
To get into AVID, as 6th graders they had to fill out applications, meet academic expectations, be recommended by teachers, and be personally interviewed. Against significant economic and social barriers, my AVID 7th graders are already demonstrating determination to defy the odds. They work hard to keep their grades up, engage in community service, participate in tutorial groups, and are so proud to have gotten into AVID and to already be thinking ahead to success in high school and college, even though they are now only 12 and 13 years old. In my photo, you will see our team is named after the University of Nebraska, and all our kids were so proud to wear team shirts that reflect their college aspirations!
My Project
When I read Mawi's book and attended one of his workshops, I immediately knew my students would be drawn into his writing and inspired by his " secret code" for teen success. I would love to share all the wisdom and stories that burst out of this book; to help my AVID 7th graders acquire the strategies and life skills that will keep them moving forward, in school and in life. We will read his book together, engage in the goal-setting activities he sets forth, compare his early life experiences with their own, as many of my kids are also immigrants or come from dire economic or family circumstances. We will create and post the "code of beliefs" he teaches, we will support one another to be mutual "spirit builders," and will build a community that fosters and promotes positive achievement. It can be easy in middle school for 7th graders to become distracted or disengaged. I believe Mawi's book will help my kids focus on success and be pulled in a positive, life-affirming direction.
I will use this inspirational yet practical and very teen-friendly book to teach my 7th graders that, as Mawi shares in a quote by John Johnson, "Men and women are limited not by the place of their birth, not by the color of their skin, but by the size of their hope." Thank you so much for considering this request.
If granted, my AVID 7th graders would be so thrilled and honored to be part of this project. I can already see their bright faces light up with appreciation and joy! :)
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. White and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.