Sometimes, educational experiments work.
In one of Baltimore?s once-storied neighborhoods, Cherry Hill, would-be teachers are being exposed to the reality of teaching in inner-city schools while the community is being engaged in the education experience.
“Direct experience dispels a lot of the myths of urban schools,” said Raymond Lorion, dean of the College of Education at Towson University.
“Kids are interested in learning and parents are involved,” said Lorion.
The Cherry Hill Learning Zone Initiative, a joint project of Towson University, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City?s government and Cherry Hill residents and organizations, is trying to breathe life back into the neighborhood and its schools.
“This is not another federal project that is funded for three years, and at the end of those three years we go away,” said Jeffery Grotsky, senior researcher for community partnerships at Towson University and former chief of staff to the chief executive officer at Baltimore City Public Schools.
“This is a long-term commitment. There have been too many broken promises to communities and schools,” said Grotsky.
Black veterans founded Cherry Hill after World War II. Since the 1980s, the area has fallen prey to gang violence and drug activities ? sending residents to other neighborhoods.
By rallying around the neighborhood?s schools ? Cherry Hill, Arundel, Patapsco, Carter G. Woodson and Southside Academy ? a turn around is under way.
After 18 months, the Cherry Hill Learning Zone Initiative has succeeded in bringing tutors into the neighborhood schools; offering professional development to teachers; intern and mentor opportunities for student teachers; bringing refurbished computers into the schools; and developing literacy programs for students and their parents.
All of the accomplishments, Grotsky said, were brought about by partnerships with the community, local businesses, the city government, Towson University and the city schools.
“We formed a unique partnership with the focus on doing whatever we could to make Cherry Hill a great place,” he said. “We sent a message to the community that we are here for the long haul and are doing what we can to provide support.”
Donald Fry, president of the Greater Baltimore Committee, praised the Cherry Hill program for bringing student teachers into the classrooms where they gain real-life experience working in urban schools.
“There are certainly different challenges urban teachers have to deal with,” Fry said. “Having the opportunity to learn and to practice under these scenarios is important because [student teachers] get a different perspective of what they will face and how they will deal and adjust.”
More information
» To become involved in the Cherry Hill Learning Zone Initiative, contact Dr. Jeffery Grotsky, senior researcher for community partnerships at Towson University, by calling 410-704-3778.
