Bridging the Gap

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--------------------------------------- Choosing the 901 --------------------------------------- program seemed like it was created specifically for Memphis in 2011 and began working at MTR in 2012. As me,” she said. “It was exactly what I wanted to do after a coach, she supports her teachers by visiting them in finishing college.” their classrooms, offering feedback and ideas, and even Knight was placed at New Hope Christian Academy looking over student essays or preparing test questions. during her resident year and remained on staff there “So often, everything that teachers learn, they learn for four more years. She was a kindergarten teacher for the hard way,” she said. “What’s great about MTR is that three years and a learning specialist for two. After taking time off to start a family, she now works part time coach for all four years, and really relevant coursework, the teachers have a mentor during the residency year, a as the admission events coordinator at St. Mary’s. which means they don’t have to figure out from scratch “I believe that the only thing that will really change how to teach their students well and how to lead a Memphis is education, so I believe MTR is leading classroom well.” the city in real change,” she said. “It may not be fast Johnson underscores that MTR’s vision is about change, but I believe it’s coming when our students all restoring communities, not just schools. Teachers alone have access to good education.” can’t bridge the education gap, so MTR encourages its staff to get to know other people and organizations in their schools’ neighborhoods. The residents study The Master Teacher/Juggler: Memphis history, take part in local cultural events, and Jessica Johnson ’94 really commit to the areas in which they teach. In many ways, Jessica Johnson is a professional To that end, MTR has focused its efforts on 31 juggler at MTR. Juggler of job responsibilities, that is. schools in six neighborhoods: Alcy Ball, Binghampton, A full-time employee, she coaches English teachers at Frayser, Graham Heights, Mitchell Heights, and Orange Kingsbury High School, Melrose High School, and GRAD Mound. Johnson said the feedback from schools has Academy; teaches English Content Methods and an been positive — that MTR teachers are team players, instructional planning seminar; and serves as the organization’s development director. humble, hard-working, and eager to learn from and work with their colleagues. “I always loved school,” Johnson said. “I loved “I think about how I benefited from St. Mary’s not St. Mary’s, I loved my college experience, and I valued only academically but the school communities also personally, in terms and the chance to grow as of character and community,” Johnson said. “I a thinker and as a person. That’s something I think we (at MTR) are in want for all kids, whether a unique position to grow they go to an independent school or go to their people and strengthen communities, and that’s neighborhood school.” my motivation to be in After graduating schools.” from Princeton University, Johnson taught Courtney Shove ’96 is a word game enthusiast and maker of high school English in homemade vanilla who recently Connecticut for seven moved back to Memphis — for the second time — to be closer to years. She moved back to family and to work in communications at Memphis Opportunity Jessica Johnson ’94, with teacher Janessa Jordan, at Soulsville Charter School. Scholarship Trust (MOST). 6 |
--------------------------------------- Choosing the 901 --------------------------------------- Choosing the 901 By Zina Kumock ’07 St. Mary’s alums can be found all over the world, teaching, working, and putting their Turkey values to use. But what about those who return home, or decided to stay in Memphis for their schooling? Zina Kumok ’07 chatted with five alumnae about why they ultimately chose to call Memphis home. lives for ourselves outside of the city. And then, when the calling comes, we return, bringing some of that global perspective back to Memphis, to create something fresh and new. Are you involved with St. Mary’s? If so, how? Morgan Beckford ’06 I am an Annual Fund class agent for the Class of 2006, so I try to stay current on what’s happening at the school, so I can relay it to my fellow 06ers. I have been back to Chapel on numerous occasions to sing, speak, advertise Opera Memphis student performances, and introduce classmates. Morgan Beckford ’06 Fellowship Coach, Memphis Music Initiative Was returning to Memphis something you consciously thought about? Studying and working in the Washington, DC area after college taught me a great deal about the accessibility of classical art forms and the teaching artistry needed to keep them alive. When I got the opportunity to bring that knowledge back to Opera Memphis, I jumped at the chance. Why do you think it’s important for alumnae to work and live in Memphis? I do think that some of us alums are very much like Galapagos Island sea turtles. We leave the “St. Mary’s Beach” at 18 and swim out into the world. We create incredible, purpose-filled, dynamic Audrey Bourland Hurst ’03, Owner of Audrey Hurst Weddings Was returning to Memphis something you consciously thought about? Upon graduating from Ole Miss, I completed a nine month Fellows program in Memphis. It was during that year that a love for Memphis WINTER 2015 | 7
Page 1 and 2: Winter 2016 Bridging the Gap Alumna
Page 3 and 4: The Varsity Volleyball team revs up
Page 5 and 6: St. Mary’s alumnae (L-R) Patti Pe
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Page 13 and 14: COLLEGE PLANNING: STARTING EARLIER
Page 15 and 16: New student services center offers
Page 17 and 18: from these. Help who will be helped
Page 19 and 20: New Members of the St. Mary’s Boa
Page 21 and 22: Campus News This Season in Turkey N
Page 23 and 24: the reunion was so enjoyable that w
Page 25 and 26: classmates. Betty Coe Cruzen Manuel
Page 27 and 28: oncologist! Edie Loeb is still livi
Page 29 and 30: Mary Long Merritt ’82 and Carol G
Page 31 and 32: Leigh Gordon Wright ’86 and daugh
Page 33 and 34: mediator with specialized training
Page 35 and 36: Douglas Looney welcomed baby girl i
Page 37 and 38: she and Michael are expecting a bab
Page 39 and 40: Braden just moved to St. Louis, and
Page 41 and 42: Grosse Pointe Public Schools. She s
Page 43 and 44: Allyson Patterson adopted a snuggly
Page 45 and 46: Milestones Tennis team and was sele
Page 47 and 48: $1,500 per student. It allows Turke

Bridging the Gap

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