APS Cool Kid: Dexwin Thompson

Therrell 2012 Graduate Dexwin Thompson described as a quietly effective leader by L.E.A.D.

Scholar, athlete and 2012 graduate of Therrell High School, Dexwin Thompson, is the APS ”Cool Kid” for the week of June 18, 2012.

During the 2011-2012 school year, Dexwin served as an Ambassador for the L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct), program. The elite of L.E.A.D., the Ambassadors, represent the organization and the city of Atlanta in summer college exposure baseball tournaments and in community service and civic engagement experiences in the metro Atlanta area from November through July.

This school year, Dexwin received Therrell High School’s Scholar-Athlete award and will attend LaMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, TN on a baseball scholarship.

He attributes receiving the award, as well as his college admission and scholarship, to the academic standards set by the L.E.A.D. mentorship program.  Off the field, Dexwin volunteers throughout the community and has even encouraged two other Therrell classmates to join the L.E.A.D. organization.

L.E.A.D. co-founder, Kelli Stewart, says that Dexwin played an instrumental role in guiding the academic future of his classmates who also received baseball scholarships to college this fall.  Stewart says, “Dexwin is quiet, but he’s effective. He has proven on and off the field that he has the ability to inspire and lead others.”

Congratulations Dexwin Thompson!

What is L.E.A.D.? L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct), a 501c3 nonprofit organization operating in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to having a significant impact on the number of inner city middle and high school student- athletes playing competitive baseball to prepare them to compete for college baseball scholarships.

APS Students LEAD by Example

by Rendell Jackson, Program Manager- Middle Schools, Department of Athletics At Grady Stadium

Several Atlanta Public School student-athletes were treated to a star studded weekend of opportunities and recognition as they were honored as “Ambassadors” for their hard work with the L.E.A.D. Organization.

During the 6th Annual L.E.A.D. Celebrity Baseball Clinic at Turner Field, the athletes were coached and worked alongside C.J. Stewart formally of the Chicago Cubs, Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves, and a  variety of other M.L.B. players.  The weekend continued as Founder of L.E.A.D. Atlanta’s own CJ Stewart organized their 3rd Annual Dinner with Champions Awards Celebration at the Turner Field 755 Club.  Hosted by 680 The Fan Radio Personalities Chuck Dowdle and Sandra Golden, the dinner provided the back drop for a spectacular evening.

3rd Annual L.E.A.D Dinner with Champions Awards Celebration at the Turner Field 755 Club.

The elite of L.E.A.D., the Ambassadors are selected from the best of The Legacy League and represent L.E.A.D. and the city of Atlanta in summer college exposure baseball tournaments and in community service/civic engagement experiences in the metro Atlanta area from November – July.

Also on hand to recognize the students were APS Board Chairperson Ms. Brenda J. Muhammad, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond, Operation HOPE Chairman and keynote speaker for the evening Mr. John Hope Bryant, and Program Manager for Middle School Athletics Mr. Rendell Jackson.

What is L.E.A.D.?
L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct), a 501c3 nonprofit organization operating in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to having a significant impact on the number of inner city middle and high school student- athletes playing competitive baseball to prepare them to compete for college baseball scholarships.

2011-2012 L.E.A.D. Ambassador Carlos Twine.

L.E.A.D.'s Annual Celebrity Clinic.

Dr. Hall delivers seventh-annual State of the Schools address

Dr. Hall (right) interviewed by IBM's Ann Cramer

UPDATE: For complete coverage of the State of the Schools address, click here. Check out the video here. Check out the photo gallery here.

APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall insisted on accountability and provided a blueprint for Atlanta Public Schools to move beyond the CRCT investigation report during her seventh-annual State of the Schools address Tuesday morning at the Carter Center. Dr. Hall delivered her address before Atlanta Board of Education members, APS staffers, community and business leaders, and partners.

“In school you’re taught a lesson and then you’re given a test. In life you’re given a test that teaches lessons,” Dr. Hall said, quoting author Tom Bodett.

Lessons learned from the CRCT investigation will include a comprehensive plan to reinforce test-taking and handle security, internal audits, enhanced investigation and discipline, accelerated academic support, and additional ethics training among APS staff. (Read the complete action plan.) Dr. Hall also insisted on transparency and communication with the community through the district website, which features a continually updated section on the CRCT.

“The transformation at Atlanta Public Schools is working,” Dr. Hall said, and quoted Dr. Martin Luther King when she added, “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope. … Teaching is personal. The children must come first.” Dr. Hall proceeded to take questions from the audience, fielded by Ann Cramer, director of Americas Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs for IBM Corporation. Dr. Hall cited the myriad ways community and business partners give their time and money to help support the district’s education reform initiatives, including Atlanta Partners for Education and the Atlanta Education Fund.