Institute focuses on inspiration
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 10, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Keynote speaker Baruti Kafele, a former teacher and principal, gives his keynote speech about closing the attitude gap during the Summer Institute for Wayne County Public Schools Wednesday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Teachers, principals and other people attending the Wayne County Public Schools Summer Institute wait for it to begin in the auditorium at the University of Mount Olive's Raper Hall Wednesday. The three-day has speakers and workshops to help teachers learn and refresh skills for the classroom.
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The keynote speaker at Wayne County Public Schools' Summer Institute wanted to talk about a young man that graduated from the district last year.
"I have never met him before, but I know he exists," said Principal Baruti Kafele, looking around the auditorium in Raper Hall at the University of Mount Olive on Wednesday morning.
Nearly 200 were in the audience, representing new and returning teachers in the district, as well as administrators and parents.
Someone in that room had that student somewhere along the way, Kafele said -- maybe in kindergarten, or third grade or even high school.
The youth was born into extreme poverty and encountered all sorts of obstacles along the way, manifesting themselves in behavioral challenges.
"He is known for all the wrong reasons," Kafele said. "By the time he gets to middle school, folks know him and are forming opinions about him. He's on a collision course."
Until he encounters the one person, a teacher, counselor or assistant principal, who will send him on a trajectory into a different direction.
"They say something to him, four words that he's heard before but there's something about the way they say it -- 'I believe in you,'" he said. "(They) said it with sincerity -- 'I believe in you. I'm in your corner. I'm there for you. I will never give up on you.'"
Kafele could have been talking about himself. Growing up in New Jersey, he dropped out of school at 13.
When his mother found out, she promptly moved the family to a better community.
Even then, it took years for Kafele to climb out of circumstances that included graduating from high school with a 1.5 grade-point average, to attending college and becoming an educator.
He has amassed many successes since, distinguishing himself in the classroom, being named Teacher of the Year and receiving accolades as a principal who transformed schools.
His own public speaking career began in 1985, the minute a professor tapped into Kafele's potential by uttering three words, "You speak well."
Whether there is poverty or achievement gaps or socio-economic challenges, none of those negate the brilliance a child may have, he said.
"There's so many students in your schools filled with unlimited potential or with gifts and talents they'll never know because there will be no mechanics to help them tap into it," he said, challenging his audience to become that one voice that makes a difference.
"(Ask yourself), 'are my students at an advantage because I'm their teacher?'" he said. "When you and I can look at that class and say these kids are going to soar because I'm here. It's not about ego.
"That's the attitude one brings."
This is the 12th year for the Summer Institute, a three-day professional development opportunity in preparation for the new school year.
The event actually kicked off on Tuesday, with the keynote assembly moved from opening day to the second day, Ms. Copeland said.
It was deemed effective, as attendees could jump right into the workshop sessions and make connections, said Tamara Berman-Ishee, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
Organized by the district's curriculum and instruction department, the effort was revamped this year, she said. Her staff conducted surveys and research, implementing a needs assessment.
"We were very purposeful in trying to figure out specific needs countywide," she said. "The sessions were more targeted and will continue that way in the future."
Schools superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore called Summer Institute an opportunity for educators to get more tools in their toolbox as they prepare to return to the classroom.
"Public education is changing very rapidly," he told the audience. "But at the end of the day you all are on the front lines."
He said their role was vitally important, promising support from his office as well as the district.
Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen said he has grown to better understand and appreciate the important contributions educators make in the community.
"If you're going to have a future, we have to get these kids educated," he said.