At the Academy : C-Tech and Speech Competition

The Maya Angelou Academy has just finished up its first unit of the school year and we look forward to the exciting year ahead of us!

This year, the Academy has returned part of its focus to vocational programming as many of its scholars have been in need of alternative academic pathways. Our GED Program scholars, as well as our already credentialed scholars, have been participating in the first round of C-Tech courses. C-Tech introduces the world of cable wiring and fiber optics with an emphasis in hands-on training and experimentation.  This is the first year the Academy has supported vocational programming during school hours. While the C-tech course currently only runs for two hours a day, the Academy staff hopes to expand its vocational program depending on the needs and interests of the scholars.

In addition, the Academy hosted its fifth annual Speech Competition on November 6, 2014. The competition began in 2010 as the culminating activity on the unit of Power. The unit encourages scholars to explore various power structures and investigate the different meanings and methods of power in their classes. They study famous speeches in their English classes, analyzing rhetorical devices and delivery methods, and write a speech of their own on the topic of Power. Two scholars per class are then selected to compete in the school-wide competition. The contest is judged by a panel of outside critics as well as by audience members comprised of scholars, teachers and staff. This year’s winner was Justin S. with his speech “How Will You Use Your Power?” Runner-up was Elihadji N. with “Street Power.” Both speeches can be read here.

As the Academy forges ahead into the second thematic unit of the school year, teachers and staff will continue to push scholars to challenge themselves, to become better learners, thinkers, and in turn, change agents in and for their communities.