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Home :: Newsroom :: EGUSD in the Spotlight
EGUSD in the Spotlight
EGUSD students see history through a veteran’s eyes
Photo: Students form Monterey Trail High School and Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School participated in a videoconference with Alexander Jefferson, a Tuskegee Airman from Michigan.
Students from Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School and Monterey Trail High School had the unique opportunity to see the past come alive right before their eyes through the wonders of videoconferencing technology.
Sixty lucky students in Harris Middle School teacher Tracy Christopher’s U.S. History and AVID classes and Monterey Trail teacher Martin Billing’s African-American Studies class had a chance to interact with and ask questions to Alexander Jefferson, a former Tuskegee Airman, on January 13 during a video conference.
Photo: Monterey Trail students enjoying the videoconference.
Students were able to participate in the videoconference through a collaborative effort between EGUSD (Technology Services and Curriculum/Professional Learning’s Teaching America History Grant) and Michigan’s Berrien County Regional Educational Services Agency.
Photo: A Monterey Trail student listens intently during the videoconference.
Videoconferencing connectivity at the school sites was made possible by EGUSD’s Technology Service’s ongoing partnerships with the Sacramento Education Cable Consortium’s (SECC) BESTNet – a regional high-speed network that connects all SECC K-20 member educational institutions – and the California K12 High Speed Network. California K12 High Speed Network is a state program that provides network connectivity, Internet services, teaching, learning application and videoconferencing coordination and support for California’s K-12 community.
Photo: A Monterey Trail student asks a question during the teleconference as a Tuskegee Airman looks on.
During the hour-long conference, students from both classes had the opportunity to ask questions and interact with Jefferson, who joined them live from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Jefferson briefly covered how it felt to be a prisoner of war and how he and other Tuskegee Airmen had to “fight for the right to fight” in the war by overcoming racism.
In addition, Edith Roberts – widow of Tuskegee Airman George S. “Spanky” Roberts and George Porter – a retired Tuskegee mechanic, joined in the discussion as well in Elk Grove, sharing their wartime stories and perspectives with students.
Photo: Students had the opportunity to ask questions to Jefferson during the videoconference.
“The whole interview with the Tuskegee Airmen was really amazing,” said Grece Fernandez, an eighth grade student in Tracy Christopher’s AVID class. “I never knew that African-Americans weren’t allowed to fly automatically. I hope that someday I will be something like them – an awesome role model.”
Jefferson was one of 32 Tuskegee Airmen shot down over German-occupied France. He spent nine months in a prisoner-of-war camp for officers – and for the first time in his military career, experienced equal treatment. Jefferson is the only Tuskegee Airman to have published a book detailing his experiences during his imprisonment. After leaving the military, Jefferson began a second career as a teacher where he fought for social justice for African-Americans and all people of color.
Christopher is thankful her students were able to interact with Jefferson through the videoconference.
“Thanks to videoconferencing technology, the stories of these three extraordinary citizens provided my students with a window into an important chapter in history,” said Christopher. “Students left the videoconference with an appreciation for the tremendous challenges and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen.”
Representatives from the George S. “Spanky” Roberts chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. in Sacramento will also make an appearance at Valley High School on Wednesday, February 4th at 1 p.m. in the theater in recognition of Black History Month. The airmen will be presenting information regarding their experiences in overcoming racism and their squadron’s success in the World War II.
For more information about opportunities for videoconferencing in the classroom, contact Gail Desler in Technology Services at gdesler@egusd.net.
Spotlight Archives
2009
January 13, 2009 - A, B, C in A-G – Chart Your Course to College
2008
December 18, 2008 - Winners honored for EGUSD/U.S. Attorney’s Office Internet Safety Video Contest
December 01, 2008 - Winners of the 2008/2009 No Excuses – Go to School
November 17, 2008 - Bright Lights, Big Talent
October 24, 2008 - Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles visit Florin High School
October 9, 2008 - EGUSD Walks to School
October 2, 2008 - EGUSD’s Science Initiative
September 19, 2008 - Stephanie Lopez-Cox returns to Elk Grove a “Golden Girl”
September 10, 2008 - Valley High School Students Get a Start on College
August 25, 2008 - Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School and Cosumnes Oaks High School Open
August 14, 2008 - Incoming 7th graders take a “Jump Start” into their school year
August 4, 2008 - EGUSD’s Math Initiative
July 14, 2008 - Parents and students grow and learn together at Partners Preschool
June 16, 2008 - EGUSD Goes Gold – Celebrating 50 Years of Educational Excellence
June 6, 2008 - Kaiser Permanente Rewards EGUSD Elementary students with perfect attendance with the gift of a two-wheel ride
May 30, 2008 - Sheldon High School Student Matthew King wins Elk Grove Auto Mall 2007/2008 Graduating Seniors Attendance Drive
May 20, 2008 - Harriet Eddy Middle School student wins pair of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines
May 21, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified and the Elk Grove Education Association Celebrate the Day of the Teacher
May 6, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified School District’s 2008 Employees of the Year
April 28, 2008 - Sacramento County Educators Host Budget Forum at State Capital
April 16, 2008 - EGUSD Launches New Attendance Campaign Videos
April 4, 2008 - Winners selected for 3rd Annual Superintendent’s Art Contest
March 26, 2008 - Megaconference Jr. 2008 - Arthur C. Butler Students Take Their Voices to the World
March 17, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Joins Call to Fix Governor’s Proposed Budget
March 4, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Hosts Sacramento County Superintendents’ Press Conference on State Budget Cuts
Feb. 19, 2008 - 4th Annual High School Conference helps train the leaders of the future
Jan. 16, 2008 - Laguna Creek High School hosts ConnectEd Policy Site Visit
Jan. 02, 2008 - Senior Attendance Drive returns for second year
2007
Dec. 12, 2007 - John Ehrhardt Elementary students combine academics and community service
Dec. 03, 2007 - EGUSD’s Commitment to Service Learning Honored
Nov. 15, 2007 - Winners announced for No Excuses – Go to School Rhyme & Poster Contests
Nov. 13, 2007 - Veterans Day celebrated at Elk Grove Unified
Oct. 23, 2007 - Time of Remembrance Project and Website
Oct. 15, 2007 - Markofer Elementary offers “Donuts for Dads/Muffins for Moms"
Oct. 3, 2007 - EGUSD elementary schools participate in Walk to School Day
Sept. 18, 2007 - Options abound on new College and Career website
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