Bringing The Mountain To Mohammed, Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

2/15/2021

Imagine your high school principal, counselor and teachers showing up at your house to encourage you. That's been the reality for some of Rocky River High's students. Once a month, a group of students in need of encouragement receive visits from the Rocky River Street Team, comprised of teachers, social workers, counselors and administrative staff.

"They're usually pretty shocked when they come to the door," said Jill Allen, counselor. "We're shouting their names, blowing our horns. They're just shocked. Then we tell them why we've come, their faces relax and they start to smile."

The team decided to create the street team after delivering graduation signs to seniors last year. "We were celebratory, we were excited, and we were celebrating our students," said Sherrida Smith, social worker. "We thought this would be a great way to reach our students who are struggling."

There are two street teams. The team leaders are teachers Erik Dove and Tina Jones-McDow. Teachers work closely with the school's counselors and social workers to identify students in need of a visit. If a student is frequently absent from class, struggling with grades or in need of emotional encouragement, they get a visit from the street team. The team, following all social distancing and masking protocols, visits students at their home. Around 45 percent of the school's students are Spanish-speaking so bilingual staff members visit them to help with any language barriers.

"Sometimes, we are rolling five or six cars deep, and people in the neighborhood have no idea what is going on," said Dean of Students Jonathan Lamb. The team has signs, pom-poms, bubbles and whistles, and show up blowing on their horns.

There are many reasons that a student might not be showing up or engaging in class. Sometimes, their needs are as simple as a Chromebook charger. Other times, they may be struggling to complete assignments while caring for siblings or working their own jobs. Some students have lost motivation, while others are dealing with tough family situations. "We find out what they need to stay in school, log in and engage," said Allen. "And then we help them make it happen."

Assistant Principal Kwame Stith said remote-learning struggles are universal among all types of students. "We have students who are taking multiple AP honors classes that are struggling with remote learning. My son, who struggles in this environment, is a bright young man, and we've been challenged to find a management system for him to keep track of all of these assignments. That struggle is real for all of our students."Jones-McDow said students just want to be seen. "When they stop signing in, they think they have just disappeared and we don't notice," she said. "When we show up, they know that somebody does care about them. We are still interested in them being successful. And that motivates them to keep going."

The in-person interaction is great not just for the students, but for the adults as well. "I think that is one of the major things that we don't talk about enough," said Dove. "The teachers and staff also need that face-to-face interaction. We need it and thrive on it. We've been missing it for almost an entire calendar year. That impacts our well-being and our mental health. It makes us feel good to see some of our students in person."

Smith said strong support from the school's administration helped make the street team successful. Their administrative staff, including Principal Ericia Turner, joins the team to make visits. "You know you are big stuff if your principal shows up at your house," she said. "I am so proud to be a part of Rocky River. I wish my children had administrators like Rocky River has. To hear Mr. Lamb and the way he talks to these students, like they are his own kids, is rejuvenating and encouraging."

The street team visits are just one part of the process of reengaging students. "We don't need to solve everything in that visit," said Lamb. "We just need to move the needle. You don't have to make up all your tests and assignments. I just need you to log in tomorrow and move the ball in the right direction."

Students' progress is tracked and staff members follow up. Lamb will often follow up with students to say they've noticed they're logging in and see what else they need. "The follow-up is really important and immediate," said Allen. "We can't let them go under the radar. And the students also know that if they don't show up, we will be back. We've had students reach out and say, 'I am finishing my assignments. You don't need to come back!'"

As the district plans for a return to in-person learning, the street team plans to continue visiting students. "It really is an adrenaline rush," said Allen. "We feed off each other. Mr. Lamb's energy is so high and his words are so positive. We step back and let him take the lead. We can connect on a level outside of the classroom. It's about the humanity that we all share."

This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.