Back to School: Meet the Site Team Leaders and Community School Directors

School has started, and students at International Academy of Flint and Flint Community Schools have access to a variety of resources through the Flint Community Education Initiative (Flint CEI).

Among those resources is YouthQuest, Flint CEI’s lead partner for expanded learning and premier afterschool program.

As students are immersed in the hands-on and engaging activities that take place afterschool, they will likely get to know at least two key employees: the site’s community school director (CSD), or the point person for the Flint CEI, and the YouthQuest site team leader (STL), who oversees the afterschool program at their schools.

To help introduce students and families to their STLs and CSDs, Afterschool Download recently caught up with each site to gather their thoughts on the new year. Here is what they had to say:

Brownell STEM Academy

What are you most excited for this school year?

Marlando Wade (CSD): “Integrating new and creative ideas, challenging the students to use their critical thinking skills and giving them the tools to become leaders in the afterschool program, day school and their community.”

Doyle-Ryder Elementary

What can students look forward to this school year?

Bridget Sims (STL): “Students can look forward new field trips and fun and exciting clubs.”

Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary

Why is afterschool important?

Keoshia Cook (STL): “Afterschool is important because it keeps kids safe, encourages learning beyond the school day and can increase academic performance.”

Eisenhower Elementary

Why is afterschool important?

Stacy Winchester (CSD): “Expanded learning gives students an outlet that blends fun with focused enrichment activities, which benefits the kids through physical activity, character development, academics and team building.”

Flint Junior High

What is your favorite part about coming back to school?

Korie Harden (STL): “Seeing how much the students have changed over the summer and knowing that I will have an entire school year to help them continue to grow.”

Freeman Elementary:

What is your favorite part about coming back to school?

Jordan Kleinedler (STL): “My favorite part is meeting and building impactful relationships with new students. With each new school year comes new faces to program.”

Holmes STEM Academy

What are you most excited for this school year?

Brook Borrow (STL): “I am excited about meeting new students and seeing all my students from last year. I’m also looking forward to offering new and exciting activities that the students have never done before and watching them grow into better and more excited learners.”

International Academy of Flint

What can students look forward to this year?

LaQuanda Hammons (STL for Grades K-6): “Students can look forward to new opportunities to try different things YouthQuest will be offering.”

Neithercut Elementary

What can students look forward to this year?

Donna Tanner (STL): “The activities we have planned to allow students to showcase what they have learned.”

Pierce Elementary

What is your favorite part about coming back to school?

Miranda Manns (STL): “My favorite part of coming back to school is building relationships— both old and new—with students, their families and staff.”

Potter Elementary

Why is afterschool important?

Jesse McGraw (CSD): “Afterschool programs can raise academic performance, reduce aggressive behaviors, promote physical health and provide a safe environment.”

Southwestern Classical Academy

What are you most excited for this school year?

Mohammed Aboutawila (CSD): “We are excited for our families to participate in our family programming, which will include FAFSA workshops, cooking classes, parenting classes and the aerobic hustle.”

To learn more about Flint CEI and YouthQuest, click here.

Not pictured: Rawlan Lilard II, CSD at Flint Junior High, and Ta’Nesa Blakely, CSD at Neithercut Elementary.

YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

Stay up to date on YouthQuest by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.