Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1316347
Raising Roses – and Leaders Davida Scott offers troubled students hope for the future T U D E N T S C A L L H E R "Ms. Davida" and say she has changed their lives. She calls them "my children" and gets teary-eyed talking about their accomplishments. They aren't typical students. They have been in the criminal justice system, foster care and homeless shelters. Many are parents. All of them grew up in poverty and were unable to succeed in traditional school due to tough circumstances and behavioral issues. Other adults may have given up on them, but fifth-year educator Davida Scott sees her students as success stories waiting to happen. And thanks to her effor ts, many are becoming success sto- ries. She changes lives by teaching employment Davida Scott CHAPTER Hayward Education Association POSITION Adult school Teacher on Special Assignment skills, connecting youths with city leaders, offering internships that lead to careers, and being a sup- por t system. Scott is a teacher on special assignment at Hay- ward Adult School. Nearly three years ago, she created Raising Leaders, a series of eight weekly workshops for students who attend Hayward Adult School, Brenkwitz Continuation School and Burke Academy for parenting students. The workshops focus on employability skills, financial awareness, career exploration and edu- cational opportunities. Guest speakers include civic leaders, judges, nurses, firefighters, California Highway Patrol officers (who teach their Start Smart young driver program), Comerica Bank executives, and others who share personal stories of overcom- ing challenges. Students receive five school credits, updated résumés and 16 hours of community service upon completion, along with the opportunity to interview for a paid internship. "Raising Leaders teaches life skills while simulta- neously preparing the next generation of workforce members in our community," says Scott, a member of the Hayward Education Association. Raising Leaders has expanded and now serves 240 students in Alameda County with 164 paid internships in departments from Alameda County, local cities, and CSU East Bay. Students also participate in the Hayward Adopt-A-Block program, picking up trash on 25 blocks that Raising Leaders has adopted. Workshops and internships are funded through the Alameda County Probation Department and Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle's District 2 Youth Initiative. Over the past year, Scott raised nearly $800,000 from local government and private donors to expand services. Going online during the pandemic allowed more students to enroll. Ms. Davida, indeed, is making a difference. "Without her, I'd be in jail," says Brenda Gomez, Davida Scott, center, with interns involved in Raising Leaders, the program she created. S 28 cta.org the Innovation Issue