In the journey of achieving Educational Equity in Arizona, several organizations are working hard for the students of the Grand Canyon State. A new group has emerged to help forward this mission – Education Forward Arizona. While the look may be new, Education Forward Arizona is backed by a team of experienced and familiar faces in education. Education Forward Arizona brings together the teams, resources, and drive of three different entities. Achieve60AZ, College Success Arizona,… Read more
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Partner Spotlight: Pathways to Prosperity, Center for the Future of Arizona
Earlier this year Middle Grade Services Program Manager Ann Connelly hosted a meeting highlighting services available to our GEAR UP middle schools. One of those presenting was Cindy Erwin from Pathways to Prosperity.
Operating as part of the Center for the Future of Arizona, Pathways to Prosperity is an early college initiative aimed at having more students graduate with degrees and credentials that lead to careers in high-demand fields. The goal is to better prepare students for careers starting as… Read more
Student Spotlight: Mario Valencia
Since a young age, Desert View Freshman Mario Valencia has had an interest in robots and technology. He remembers applying to technology camps as a kid and being turned down because he was too young. When he heard about the Arizona GEAR UP Leadership Academy & Technology Camp, he jumped on the opportunity and signed up immediately.
The camp highlighted the science, technology, engineering, and math fields and provided students with a robot that they programmed themselves. Students selected their… Read more
Dr. Daniel Kain Receives National Award
At their annual conference, the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) gave professor emeritus Daniel Kain its Community Partner of the Year award. NCCEP works with the U.S. Department of Education to oversee GEAR UP across the country with the goal to level the playing field in educational equity and access. Dr. Kain has served as principal investigator or co-PI for Arizona GEAR UP for nearly two decades.
Dr. Kain’s… Read more
AZGU Partner Spotlight: Seeds Training
Seeds Training is an integral part to Arizona GEAR UP Summer Camps. The educational programs the Seeds team implements build life, leadership, and learning skills for our GEAR UP students that not only help students now but well into the future.
While the pandemic required us to move the Summer Leadership and Technology Camp to a virtual platform, students showed up and had a great time. Seeds Training Founder Greg Evans noticed some unexpected surprises (and… Read more
Coach’s Spotlight: KenJuan Lockhart
The pandemic brought new challenges to everyone over the past year and a half. But for GEAR UP Coach, KenJuan Lockhart, he embraced the challenge and helped students succeed in spite of COVID-19.
Mr. Lockhart joined GEAR UP in 2020 as a coach, and he has taught English at Buckeye Union High School for four years. “When the opportunity came up, it made sense because I get to reach a broader range of students on a daily basis,” Mr. Lockhart… Read more