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AU Convenes Advisory Council for Strategic Guidance
Alternatives Unlimited has formed an advisory council to assist with developing long-range strategic plans and advise on funding issues.
According to CEO John Sullivan, ”The collective experience of the council will be invaluable in helping Alternatives Unlimited map the future as well as improve instructional and business practices.”
The first meeting was held November 12 in Baltimore, Md., with another session on January 28. During these sessions, the council members dealt with organizational issues, discussed how to streamline operations to make AU more efficient and cost effective, and examined protocols for various compliance issues. Subsequent council meetings will be held quarterly.
Members of the council include Doug Riley, a Maryland attorney who is serving as council president; Bart Anderson, an educator in Columbus, Ohio; Tracey Berger, an attorney in San Francisco; and Don Mohler, the chief of staff to Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.
John Sullivan, AU’s CEO, also sits on the council, while Melissa Replogle serves as council secretary. Brief bios of each of the council members follow:
Bart Anderson —Mr. Anderson serves as the superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio and the executive director of the Regional Shared Service Center Council of Governments. He holds a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania where, in the world of interesting coincidences, Stuart Berger, AU’s founder, served on his dissertation committee.
Tracey Berger — Ms. Berger is a graduate of New York University and Northwestern University School of Law. Since 2006, she has been an associate with the Bingham McCutchen law firm in their San Francisco offices.
Don Mohler — Mr. Mohler served in numerous capacities during his 30 years with the Baltimore County Public Schools. In 2005, he became senior advisor and director of communications for Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. In 2010, he was appointed chief of staff to Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.
Doug Riley — Mr. Riley is an attorney with the Maryland law firm of Treanor Pope & Hughes, P.A. He has been involved with AU since its very beginning, helping Dr. Berger organize the company in 1998 and serving as AU’s general counsel until joining the advisory committee. Mr. Riley was elected to the Baltimore County Council in 1990 and served for eight years, during which time Dr. Berger was Baltimore County superintendent of schools.
DBI Students Meet Famous Engineer
In honor of Black History Month, the seniors at Potter’s House Drop Back In Academy in Duval County, Fla., had the extraordinary opportunity to meet and hear from the engineer who invented the cell phone. Dr. Jesse Russell addressed a group of students from the Potter’s House Christian Academy, and the school and church were delighted to allow our students to attend as well.
Dr. Russell discussed many topics such as, what it means to be an innovator, the fact that there are many people in the field of science and math who make great contributions to our daily lives, the importance of one’s character and the importance of always showing respect. He also discussed the importance of not being afraid to ask the question, “Why not?” It was through asking the question, “Why can’t we put phones on people?” that he started the process of developing the technology that made the cell phone possible.
Dr. Russell ended his discussion with a question and answer session during which one of our students, Jerel Jackson, asked “Did you have anyone outside of your family who motivated and inspired you?”
Dr. Russell replied, “Yes, my high school chemistry teacher.” He then continued by explaining that in life we have some teachers who do not “use mediocrity as a measure for excellence.” He further explained that it is this type of teacher who pulls out the best in their students by pushing them to always do their best. His response to this question affirmed the importance of what we do at Drop Back In Academy on a daily basis. We never know the impact that our actions as educators will have on the lives of the students who cross our paths.
The staff and students of Potter’s House Drop Back In Academy enjoyed the experience of meeting the person who invented a device that most of us carry with us and use on a daily basis. It truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Hopefully this experience will inspire our students to think outside of the box and always put forth their best.
AU Virtual: Education held to a gold standard
To be an effective and successful employee of Alternatives Unlimited, one must be very flexible and ever ready to take on new challenges. The same is true when attempting to be an effective and successful education management company. Education is an ever-changing industry, much like other industries of the 21st century. Alternatives Unlimited is striving to make the necessary changes to stay competitive while still delivering a quality education.
AU is proud to announce that virtual course delivery is on its way to becoming a very integral part of how AU does business. AU has partnered with Blackboard Learn, which is a leading online course delivery platform, to house and deliver our virtual curriculum. The Blackboard platform is currently being used for our summer school program, online SES tutoring program, and, beginning in January 2012, it will be used by our DBI students and our 6th through 12th grade homebound students.
AU’s ultimate goal, for the 2012-2013 school year, is to have a complete K-12 virtual curriculum that aligns with all core standards and can withstand the rigorous state accreditation process throughout the U.S. While this is a very lofty goal, it will be the driving force behind the continued growth of Alternatives Unlimited.
Gadsden Co. DBI graduates its second class
AU’s Drop Back In Academy in Gadsden County, FL, graduated its second class on August 26 at the Quincy DBI site. While there were just four students who completed their high school graduation requirements, there was no shortage of pride and congratulations for their accomplishments.
The four students honored were Latoya Brinson, Cetoria Holloway, Lakeshia McGriff and Quashawn Jones, all of whom proved that students who have “fallen through the cracks” and opted to drop out of high school can still go back and earn that coveted diploma.
The Alternatives Unlimited Drop Back In program is designed for young people, ages 16 – 21, who, for various reasons, left school after entering ninth grade but still aspire to graduate with a high school diploma, rather than a GED.
The commencement speaker was County Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, who offered positive words of wisdom to each graduate who may have “delayed” but were not denied that important diploma because of the collaboration between the Gadsden County schools and AU. With focus and determination, she continued, these students, who genuinely desired to obtain a diploma and were willing to work hard to earn it, finally realized their goal, despite whatever circumstances led them off track previously.
During the ceremony Laquesha Thompson remarked, “Sometimes I think of not making it or being successful, but seeing these special people standing there has given me hope to prepare me for life’s triumphs and challenges. They give me hope to continue.”
All four of these graduates will further their educational goals at Tallahassee Community College, starting Tuesday. Ms. Holloway and Ms. McGriff will each pursue a nursing degree; Ms. Brinson will study to become an elementary teacher, and Quashawn Jones would like to become a police officer.
The commencement ended with remarks from guest speaker Eric Hinson, a member of the Gadsden County School Board; a prayer by Pastor Willie Chambers; and comments from DBIA staff, including Gladys Britt , who noted: “They all have formed a solid foundation — now all they have to do is build on it.”
Gadsden County school dropouts who are between the ages of 16 and 21 and who would like to return and earn a high school diploma, can contact Ronterious Robinson at 850-618-0137. The coursework is completely free to the students.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of the graduates, who heard this inspiring quote during the ceremony: “Yesterday is gone; tomorrow has yet to come. We have only today: Let it begin.”
Florida Newspaper Features AU and DBI
An article in the Ocala, FL, newspaper recently featured AU’s DBI program. Here’s an excerpt. For the full article, go to:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20110501/articles/110509980&tc=yahoo
School Board wants to put dropouts back in the classroom
Staff writer
Last Modified: Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 10:20 p.m.
The Marion County School Board wants to partner with a national dropout retrieval company called Alternatives Unlimited to find local high school dropouts and help them get their diplomas.
A contract will come back to the School Board at a later date for a vote, although it appears all five members support the concept.
The group, founded in 1997 and based in Maryland, will go into the communities and search for dropouts, then help them finish the courses they need to graduate high school.
And there’s no cost to the school district.
“This is a no-lose situation,” School Board Chairwoman Judi Zanetti said.