Blog Posts Archives - ۲Ƶ /blog/category/blog-post/ TRANSFORMING LEARNING. TRANSFORMING LIVES Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:43:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cropped-Emblem-Full-Color-Clear-32x32.png Blog Posts Archives - ۲Ƶ /blog/category/blog-post/ 32 32 174405155 CONGRATULATIONS DEZSINAE! /blog/2021/06/22/dkendrix/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dkendrix Tue, 22 Jun 2021 17:00:17 +0000 /?p=11488 HARD WORK PAYS OFF Dezsinae Kendrix is City Arts & Tech’s 2021 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship. We’re so proud of Dezsinae! This hard-working student transferred to CAT with fewer credits than she wanted but a strong desire to succeed. Despite the obstacles that came up, Dezsinae stayed focused on improving her grades...

The post CONGRATULATIONS DEZSINAE! appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Dezsinae Kendrix is City Arts & Tech’s 2021 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship.

We’re so proud of Dezsinae! This hard-working student transferred to CAT with fewer credits than she wanted but a strong desire to succeed. Despite the obstacles that came up, Dezsinae stayed focused on improving her grades in classes and making sure she had the credits she needed to succeed. When she first got here, she thought she wouldn’t be able to attend a four-year college straight from high school, but she did the work to improve her grades.  That work paid off: she was accepted to San Francisco State University and will be a college student this fall! Congrats, Dezsinae!
ABOUT THE BOB LENZ “PDO” SCHOLARSHIP

The Bob Lenz PDO Scholarship award of $1000 is given each year to one graduating senior from each school site who exemplifies the Calvin Coolidge phrase: “Persistence and Determination alone are Omnipotent (PDO).” Erin Brockovich made these words her motto in her successful campaign to expose toxic water tables in the Central Valley. Bob and his Envision co-founders adopted the motto as well, applying it to Envision’s tireless work to help students develop the persistence and determination to succeed in college. Each of our award-winning students:

  • Has gone through significant hardship and persisted through adversity;
  • Has been accepted to and plans to attend a 4-year university or college.

The post CONGRATULATIONS DEZSINAE! appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 11488 CONGRATULATIONS FRANCISCO! /blog/2021/06/21/franciscoojeda/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=franciscoojeda Mon, 21 Jun 2021 20:58:45 +0000 /?p=11505 FIRST GEN STUDENT, DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE Francisco Ojeda is Envision Academy’s 2021 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship. This award goes to one graduate each year who exemplifies Jackie Robinson’s commitment to community service. This year’s winner will be the first in his family to attend college. He has also dedicated much of his...

The post CONGRATULATIONS FRANCISCO! appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> FIRST GEN STUDENT, DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

Francisco Ojeda is Envision Academy’s 2021 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship.

This award goes to one graduate each year who exemplifies Jackie Robinson’s commitment to community service. This year’s winner will be the first in his family to attend college. He has also dedicated much of his time during high school to serving his school and community in many ways. He has been a part of The Oakland Youth Advisory Commission, uses social media as a way to bring awareness to issues happening within the community, and he has served as a student leader for EA’s Latinos Unidos club. This fall he plans on attending UC Davis and majoring in Political Science. Congratulations Francisco Javier Ojeda!

ABOUT THE JACKIE ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP

Each year, the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Award of $1000 is given to one graduate from each Envision school who exemplifies Jackie Robinson’s commitment to service and excellence. Mr. Robinson did more than break the color barrier in Major League Baseball: he was also the first in his family to graduate from college; he served his country in World War II; and he worked as a powerful civil rights advocate. To be awarded this scholarship, students must:

  • Be first in their family to go to college;
  • Deliver an outstanding graduation Portfolio and Defense;
  • Exemplify a commitment to service and leadership;
  • Plan on attending a 4-year college or university in the fall after graduation.

The post CONGRATULATIONS FRANCISCO! appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 11505 FIRST GEN PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF /blog/2020/07/16/10754/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10754 Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:51:10 +0000 /?p=10754 Evelyn Hernandez Benitez is City Arts & Tech’s 2020 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship. Evelyn has been a student at CAT for her entire high school career and is the first in her family to attend college. In the fall, Evelyn is planning to attend San Francisco State University where she will be...

The post FIRST GEN PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> Evelyn Hernandez Benitez is City Arts & Tech’s 2020 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship.

Evelyn has been a student at CAT for her entire high school career and is the first in her family to attend college. In the fall, Evelyn is planning to attend San Francisco State University where she will be able to utilize the skills learned during her time at CAT.  Evelyn embodies the essence of hard work, determination and persistence by using critical thinking skills, being a self-starting and consistent goal achiever. All of these skills were magnified in her brilliant portfolio defense, for which she earned the coveted principal’s distinction recognition. We look forward to hearing about her bright future!

ABOUT THE BOB LENZ “PDO” SCHOLARSHIP

The Bob Lenz PDO Scholarship award of $1000 is given each year to one graduating senior from each school site who exemplifies the Calvin Coolidge phrase: “Persistence and Determination alone are Omnipotent (PDO).” Erin Brockovich made these words her motto in her successful campaign to expose toxic water tables in the Central Valley. Bob and his Envision co-founders adopted the motto as well, applying it to Envision’s tireless work to help students develop the persistence and determination to succeed in college. Each of our award-winning students:

  • Has gone through significant hardship and persisted through adversity;
  • Has been accepted to and plans to attend a 4-year university or college.

The post FIRST GEN PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10754 An Exemplary Scholar! /blog/2020/07/16/an-exemplary-scholar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=an-exemplary-scholar Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:43:57 +0000 /?p=10752 Julie Le is Impact Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship. Julie possesses every quality of an exemplary Spartan scholar at Impact Academy. Her hard work and determination led her down the path to receive three awards in her senior year which include the award for Completing Projects Effectively, the “Resilience Award” and the...

The post An Exemplary Scholar! appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> Julie Le is Impact Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship.

Julie possesses every quality of an exemplary Spartan scholar at Impact Academy. Her hard work and determination led her down the path to receive three awards in her senior year which include the award for Completing Projects Effectively, the “Resilience Award” and the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.  

Her advisor, Aaron Coleman states that  “Julie is one of the most courageous individuals I have ever met. She has persevered through hardship, yet always came to school with the determination to succeed in all her work, a trait that few adults have developed. Working full time during her years in high school, Julie has created organizational and time management skills that will create success for her wherever she ends up. Julie Le is truly an incredible person and a genuine person who sees the best in herself and her friends. She is a dynamic and intuitive person who has worked incredibly hard and deserves any and all awards given to her.”  The community of Impact Academy wishes her well in all future pursuits and endeavors. Congratulations, Julie! 

ABOUT THE JACKIE ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP

Each year, the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Award of $1000 is given to one graduate from each Envision school who exemplifies Jackie Robinson’s commitment to service and excellence. Mr. Robinson did more than break the color barrier in Major League Baseball: he was also the first in his family to graduate from college; he served his country in World War II; and he worked as a powerful civil rights advocate. To be awarded this scholarship, students must:

  • Be first in their family to go to college;
  • Deliver an outstanding graduation Portfolio and Defense;
  • Exemplify a commitment to service and leadership;
  • Plan on attending a 4-year college or university in the fall after graduation.

The post An Exemplary Scholar! appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10752 A True Community Leader /blog/2020/07/16/a-true-community-leader/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-true-community-leader Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:27:04 +0000 /?p=10750 Khatab Alameri is City Arts & Tech’s 2020 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship. Khatab has been a student at CAT for the entirety of his high school career. During the time, Khatab displayed leadership skills in and out of the classroom. At CAT,  Khatab participates in study groups to assist other students but is...

The post A True Community Leader appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> Khatab Alameri is City Arts & Tech’s 2020 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship.

Khatab has been a student at CAT for the entirety of his high school career. During the time, Khatab displayed leadership skills in and out of the classroom. At CAT,  Khatab participates in study groups to assist other students but is even more passionate about assisting his community. He volunteers his time as member of many Muslim organizations that assist local communities with resources. Khatab serves as San Francisoc’s District 6 Vice Chair council member of housing and land use committee so he can provide resources and be a voice for people from his community. Khatab displays his community to community services not only by speaking up but also taking action to make changes for the communities that need him.  We are proud to call him a CAT-ster!  We wish him all the best as he takes on college, and the University of California at Irvine is lucky he will join them in the Fall.

ABOUT THE JACKIE ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP

Each year, the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Award of $1000 is given to one graduate from each Envision school who exemplifies Jackie Robinson’s commitment to service and excellence. Mr. Robinson did more than break the color barrier in Major League Baseball: he was also the first in his family to graduate from college; he served his country in World War II; and he worked as a powerful civil rights advocate. To be awarded this scholarship, students must:

  • Be first in their family to go to college;
  • Deliver an outstanding graduation Portfolio and Defense;
  • Exemplify a commitment to service and leadership;
  • Plan on attending a 4-year college or university in the fall after graduation.

The post A True Community Leader appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10750 Energy and Devotion /blog/2020/07/16/energy-and-devotion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=energy-and-devotion Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:22:50 +0000 /?p=10748 Alexxa Villegas is Envision Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship. Alexxa is a student who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to her community. In the future, she plans to become an immigration attorney so that she can continue to advocate for her community. Alexxa has always been the student that encourages...

The post Energy and Devotion appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> Alexxa Villegas is Envision Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship.

Alexxa is a student who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to her community. In the future, she plans to become an immigration attorney so that she can continue to advocate for her community. Alexxa has always been the student that encourages others and pushes through obstacles. Her compassion sets the tone for everyone she encounters. Alexxa consistently gives her energy and devotion to whatever she sets her heart on. Whether it’s to encourage a friend or to master a skill, Alexxa will always give her all. That energy and devotion will take her to higher levels in the real world as she engages a wider range of thought and rigor.  We wish her the best of luck at the University of Colorado at Boulder!

ABOUT THE JACKIE ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP

Each year, the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Award of $1000 is given to one graduate from each Envision school who exemplifies Jackie Robinson’s commitment to service and excellence. Mr. Robinson did more than break the color barrier in Major League Baseball: he was also the first in his family to graduate from college; he served his country in World War II; and he worked as a powerful civil rights advocate. To be awarded this scholarship, students must:

  • Be first in their family to go to college;
  • Deliver an outstanding graduation Portfolio and Defense;
  • Exemplify a commitment to service and leadership;
  • Plan on attending a 4-year college or university in the fall after graduation.

The post Energy and Devotion appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10748 The Epitome of Determination /blog/2020/07/16/the-epitome-of-determination/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-epitome-of-determination Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:10:56 +0000 /?p=10742 Dylan Hughes is Envision Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship. Dylan is the epitome of determination. In his academic life, Dylan sets high goals for himself and works tirelessly until he accomplishes them. When he faces obstacles in the path towards his goals, he harnesses his incredible inner drive and fortitude to...

The post The Epitome of Determination appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> Dylan Hughes is Envision Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship.

Dylan is the epitome of determination. In his academic life, Dylan sets high goals for himself and works tirelessly until he accomplishes them. When he faces obstacles in the path towards his goals, he harnesses his incredible inner drive and fortitude to leap over them or problem-solve his way around them.

In his personal life, Dylan’s determination takes the form of profound loyalty and caring for his friends and a brave commitment to speaking and living his truth, day in and day out.  We are so proud of Dylan for earning this scholarship, and look forward to following his journey to San Francisco State University.

ABOUT THE BOB LENZ “PDO” SCHOLARSHIP

The Bob Lenz PDO Scholarship award of $1000 is given each year to one graduating senior from each school site who exemplifies the Calvin Coolidge phrase: “Persistence and Determination alone are Omnipotent (PDO).” Erin Brockovich made these words her motto in her successful campaign to expose toxic water tables in the Central Valley. Bob and his Envision co-founders adopted the motto as well, applying it to Envision’s tireless work to help students develop the persistence and determination to succeed in college. Each of our award-winning students:

  • Has gone through significant hardship and persisted through adversity;
  • Has been accepted to and plans to attend a 4-year university or college.

The post The Epitome of Determination appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10742 Embodying Our Core Values /blog/2020/07/16/embodying-our-core-values/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=embodying-our-core-values Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:01:07 +0000 /?p=10732 Niyana Sanders is Impact Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship. Niyana embodies Impact’s Core Values of respect, growth, joy, community, and agency.  She had been a leader on our campus in countless ways, on the court, in the classroom, and on the courtyard.  She has been an unofficial advisor to her classmates...

The post Embodying Our Core Values appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> Niyana Sanders is Impact Academy’s 2020 recipient of the Bob Lenz “PDO” Scholarship.

Niyana embodies Impact’s Core Values of respect, growth, joy, community, and agency.  She had been a leader on our campus in countless ways, on the court, in the classroom, and on the courtyard.  She has been an unofficial advisor to her classmates for the past two years.  

During Niyana’s college success portfolio defense, it was clear as to why she was chosen. Her desire to make this school a better place is unparalleled. She is passionate about making a change, opening the minds of others, and also doing it with love. She strives to create change while remaining unique and authentic to who she is! Please join us in congratulating Niyana and wishing her luck as she heads to San Jose State University!

ABOUT THE BOB LENZ “PDO” SCHOLARSHIP

The Bob Lenz PDO Scholarship award of $1000 is given each year to one graduating senior from each school site who exemplifies the Calvin Coolidge phrase: “Persistence and Determination alone are Omnipotent (PDO).” Erin Brockovich made these words her motto in her successful campaign to expose toxic water tables in the Central Valley. Bob and his Envision co-founders adopted the motto as well, applying it to Envision’s tireless work to help students develop the persistence and determination to succeed in college. Each of our award-winning students:

  • Has gone through significant hardship and persisted through adversity;
  • Has been accepted to and plans to attend a 4-year university or college.

The post Embodying Our Core Values appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10732 DEAR BLACK YOUTH OF AMERICA /blog/2020/06/05/dear-black-youth-of-america/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dear-black-youth-of-america Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:29:05 +0000 /?p=10690 The post DEAR BLACK YOUTH OF AMERICA appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]>

DEAR BLACK YOUTH OF AMERICA,

You are magic.  And here are some words from a teacher who loves you — even though he doesn’t know you — and who wants to share some thoughts with you, as we see protests happening all across America.

Thank you, Mr. Donovan, for this beautiful video!

Sending love,

the Envision Community

The post DEAR BLACK YOUTH OF AMERICA appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10690 College Success for Envision Students /blog/2020/04/16/college-success-for-envision-students/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=college-success-for-envision-students Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:39:17 +0000 /?p=10615 The post College Success for Envision Students appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]>

Briana Clarke, a physics teacher at Envision Academy in downtown Oakland, doesn’t just want her students to go to college. She wants them to find the right college for them, making the abstract idea of “going to college” a more concrete reality.

“I really want to value college as a tool for my student, as opposed to my student just getting in somewhere that gives them access,” Clarke said. “Somewhere that is specific for them. So I think the difference is, there is an opportunity for students to see themselves at a specific college versus just college in general.”

The college-going culture at Envision Academy extends throughout the school, Clarke said. At the beginning of every school year, freshmen take a trip to UC Berkeley. This is another way to make the abstract concrete, since a majority of students will be the first in their family to go to college.

For Clarke, the idea is that students should be thinking beyond college. What kind of career would they like to pursue? “I want them to have the fluency of how the world works,” she said.

Clarke loves physics and she wants her students to fall in love, too, and become “citizen scientists,” that is “students who are aware of how their surroundings work.” She also wants her students exposed to STEM careers, and see those as possible future careers for themselves. “My desire is for them to go beyond college,” she said.

As a woman of color teaching students of color, she said she understands their background and often where they’re coming from. She integrated coding into her lessons, and students made traffic lights. They designed solar panel cars. “These are great opportunities I have appreciated having at a project-based school, because students get to see themselves as engineers and build skills outside those traditional academic skills,” she said.

The graduation requirements at Envision Academy are aligned to A-G standards, and each of the 50 students who graduated in 2019 also fulfilled their A-G requirements, meaning they are eligible to apply to a UC or CSU school. Clarke, though, said that the alignment can be secondary to a lot of teachers. “We certainly want them to be their best self and go as far as they want,” she said. “But I don’t think about A-G alignment, I think about how I can get my students to fulfill their potential and find a career that fits their aspirations and their personality.”

That, of course, depends on the student. Some students arrive in Clarke’s class with an inherent drive, she said, “a fire inside of them that can’t be doused.” These students, she said, “are college-bound before you even have a class with them.” Others need affirmation, and the “dream spoken into them,” she said. “They want something but they don’t yet know what that is.” Taking time in advisory with students to provide social-emotional supports, helps them establish long-term goals.

Some students react better to positive peer pressure. “I had one student last year who swore to the end of life he would not go to college,” Clarke said. “Once he was put in a setting where the rest of his peers wanted that, he started to want that for himself. I appreciate the students here foster that type of community where one can encourage the other.”

With the coronavirus interrupting the school year, Clarke has had to transition her class to online, and all the challenges that come with that. It’s far more difficult to have students grapple with complex concepts when you can only reach them through a screen, and the internet connection comes and goes. Clarke said she has been grateful to be able to connect with students on social media, and “see their joy and humanity through all of this.”

Through it all, she said a majority of her students are still on pace and keeping up with the coursework. But many students have other challenges besides school, the life stress that so many families face now in the middle of this pandemic. Teachers are showing their humanity every day in the way they connect with students, she said. “Coronavirus has proven to be a different need,” she said, “and teachers have a skill and an empathy to fill that where they can.”

The post College Success for Envision Students appeared first on ۲Ƶ.

]]> 10615