Atlanta Neighborhood Math Competitions

As mentioned before, the mission behind this blog is to help create a culture of education in homes and communities. Students are naturally competitive in groups, they love to win, and love to represent where they are from. Why not channel all of that into building and reinforcing math skills and starting a community tradition?

The City of Atlanta has agreed to put on the first ever Atlanta Neighborhood Math Bowls. Elementary and Middle School students will be coached in math concepts by volunteers, and different urban areas will be represented, so get excited.

We are still looking for more math coach volunteers to go out to the different Centers of Hope during the week to help students prepare. Prep sessions last from 45 minutes to a full hour between the hours of 4-5:30pm at any of the recreation centers, which are listed below. Saturday math coaching also takes place any time between 10am-4pm (start time determined by volunteer). If interested in participating as a volunteer, please email cultureofeducation@gmail.com with the following information:

1. Name
2. School/Company
3. School/Company position
4. Contact Number
5. Contact Email
6. Location Preference 1
7. Location Preference 2
8. Mon-Friday day availability (one 45 min session between 4-5:30pm)
9. Sat availability (please select and include time preference) 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20

Centers of Hope Locations

Adamsville Recreation Center
3201 M.L. King Drive, SW 30331
Peyton Forrest, Adamsville, L.P. Miles, Margaret Fain, G.A. Townes, Harper - Archer

Ben Hill Recreation Center
2405 Fairburn Rd, SW 30311
Fickett , A.P. Randolph, Deerwood, Sandtown

Bessie Branham Recreation Center
2051 Delano Dr, NE 30317
Whiteford, East Lake, Burgess-Peterson Academy, Drew, Toomer

Grove Park Recreation Center
750 Frances Place, NW 30318
Grove Park, Atlanta Preparatory Academy

Morningside Recreation Center
1053 Rock Spring Rd, NE 30315
Morningside Elementary

Oakland City (Adams Park) Recreation Center
1305 Oakland Rd, SW 30310
Bunch, Cascade, Finch, Hutchinson, Continental Colony, Hamilton E. Holmes, M. Agnes Jones, Price, L. O. Kimberly

Peachtree Hills Recreation Center
308 Peachtree Hills Ave, NE 30305
E. Rivers, Garden Hills, Warren T. Jackson

Pittman Recreation Center
950 Garibaldi St, SW 30310
Gideons Elementary

Rosel Fann Recreation Center
365 Cleveland Ave, SE 30354
Cleveland Avenue, J.W. Dobbs, Heritage Academy, Humphries, Hutchinson, Crawford Long, Price, Sylvan Hills, Kipp Ways Academy, Thomasville

Aligned Missions: Bill Gates' Get Schooled Campaign

As a junior in college I and many others felt strongly that we needed a national campaign to correct the destructive paradigms which harm our ability to advance academically. Today, over two and a half years later, this vision is beginning to manifest!

Get Schooled is a national campaign funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is a resource for teachers, students, parents, EVERYONE and seeks to motivate with its national tour. Celebrities will entertain crowds of students and inspire them to be better at doing their part in this education revolution. But will they inspire lasting change? A different culture? A different set of household priorities? Different parental attitudes? I don't think they're entirely off the mark, but it definitely remains to be seen. While we can all be optimistic about anything from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation due to their long-term commitment to education equality, inculcating education culture may require something deeper.

But The Get Schooled movement, as Gates' money would allow, is so extensive, and if there is an external organization that could help spur a new education culture, perhaps this is the one. The website and tour events provide information and resources to students, parents, and nonparent stakeholders. Need money for college? Get schooled. Need inspiration from your favorite celebrities? Get Schooled. Need funding for an initiative? Get Schooled again. I just hope this doesn't fizzle out, and that a truly new culture is being developed in the process.