As we conclude CIS Think Summer!, we are grateful for those who joined our team to share their knowledge and expertise with our students. The CIS Think Summer! program for Kalamazoo Public Schools elementary and secondary students is designed to reduce summer learning loss and increase academic and enrichment opportunities. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s program was transitioned from in-person to virtual experiences with presentations that align with career themes.
We are excited to share with you all the guest participants of this year’s program! We thank them for joining our staff to provide- engaging opportunities to “meet” different professionals in our community.
Chef Cory Barrett and Chef Stephanie Hughes from the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Culinary Arts & Sustainable Food Systems program joined our team to showcase the culinary center by providing a virtual tour of the facility and answered questions about cooking and classes offered.
Jessica Waller is a proud Kalamazoo, Michigan native and graduate. After graduating Western Michigan University, she followed a career in the food industry and currently works with Kellogg Company as the Vice President of the Salty Snacks Division.
Image of Carmen James
Carmen James, owner of Fit Bella Vei visited our “classroom” to engage with the students about healthy eating, being active, and also shared her personal journey.
BeadVenture, a nonprofit program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, joined our program. Students were able to participate in creating their own beadwork while learning about entrepreneurial skills.
Jewelry made by CIS Think Summer! student
Smile Savers, a non-profit mobile dental health service, stopped by to highlight dental education. Students received toothbrushes, toothpaste, and were shown the proper way to practice oral healthcare.
Majyck D Radio stopped into our virtual program and discussed how she combined her passion for communication and music into a career as a radio personality and owner of an virtual radio station.
Dr. Turnera Croom, an Army Vet with a mission to spread education and the love of Veterinary Medicine to our youth of color, spoke about the veterinary field and introduced students to many different types of animals during her presentation.
Dr. Turnera Croom
Mr. Michael Beyene is a 3D art instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Mr. Beyene presented on video game design, the variety of careers in the industry, and his educational path.
Dr. Khalid el-Hakim
Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, the founder/owner of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, discussed the importance of knowing history, and what led him from being a middle school teacher in Detroit to managing hip-hop artists to owning his own museum, and how students can pursue museum work.
Mercantile Bank worked with our secondary students on how to be financially responsible in the personal life and how to secure capital to start their own business.
The owners of Freddy’s Food Truck presented to our secondary students. They provided a virtual tour of their food truck and discussed how to start their own business in the food industry.
Thank you to our presenters this summer. During the pandemic, like many of you, we are faced with so many unknowns. We want to express our sincere gratitude to these presenters who stepped up on such short notice to present to CIS/KPS students in effort to provide an engaging virtual program.
The CIS Think Summer! Program is supported by federal dollars awarded through the Michigan Department of Education, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
