Program Highlights
|
Skip to:
•Staff
•Advisory Board
•Partner Schools
•Student Demographics
•The Need for LearningWorks
Scott Flemming, Executive Director of LearningWorks, joined the staff in the fall of 2006. Scott graduated from Brown University in 1987 with a B.A. in Religious Studies. He earned an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in 1996. Most recently, Scott was the founding co-director of Ubah Medical Academy, a chartered public high school in Minneapolis. He has also served as program manager for the Schwab Foundation for Learning, a resource for parents and students with learning differences. Before returning to graduate school, Scott was the Dean of Students at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico and a lead administrator at the Native American Preparatory School, a six-week summer enrichment program at New Mexico State University. Scott also teaches a Comparative Religions course at Blake.
Patrick Barry Communications and Programs Director, has worked with LearningWorks since 2002. Prior to his current role, he served as LearningWorks Education Director ('05-'07) and as a LearningWorks teacher (Summer Program '02, '03, '04; School Year Program '03-'04). He received a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2004. During his tenure at the U of M, he earned many Dean's List distinctions and also served as a volunteer tutor in the Minneapolis Public Schools. Patrick also teaches an American Literature course at Blake. In addition to an educator, he is a marathon runner, world traveler, "modern untrained" photographer, and mildly successful amateur poet.
Heather Jackson, Student Services Director, taught with LearningWorks during the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Summer Programs and the 2003-04 School Year Program. She received a B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College in June of 2006. Also in 2006, Heather was awarded one of four Breakthrough Leadership Fellowships, earning a position as the High School Program Coordinator for Summerbridge Houston, another program within the Breakthrough Collaborative. Heather is also a licensed teacher in the field of Social Studies, grades 5-12.
Jaimee Bohning, Curriculum & Instruction Director, joined the seasoned LearningWorks staff in June of 2007. She received her B.S. in Speech Communications and Women's Studies, graduating Magna Cum Laude from MSU-Mankato in 2003. Following graduation, Jaimee worked in Special Education for Minneapolis Public Schools, as an Environmental Organizer for the Sierra Club, and as a coach for South Dakota State University's intercollegiate fastpitch team. Jaimee is a candidate for licensure in Secondary English Education and is finishing her M.Ed at the University of Minnesota. Throughout her career, Jaimee's research has been published and presented at multiple conferences, including the 2003 Undergradute Research Conference ("Unheard Voices of the Abortion Movement") and the 2005 National Case Research Conference ("Women's Studies and Issues: A Midwestern University's Strategic Analysis"). Jaimee is also the Co-Head Coach for the Blake Varsity Fastpitch team.
top
Advisory Board
Jacob Bonde taught Sports Literature at LearningWorks in summer 2005, Moral Dilemmas and Astronomy during the School Year Program and Leadership Academy in Summer 2006 and is very excited to now be serving on the Advisory Board. He graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Saint Olaf College in May 2006 with B.A.s in English and Philosophy. He currently is spending a year doing Lutheran Volunteer Corps, a program that focuses on simplicity, community and social justice. Through LVC, he is working as an Educational Assistant at Sojourner Truth Academy, a charter elementary school in North Minneapolis. He hopes to soon go back to school for his teacher's certificate and a Masters in Urban Education.
Dion Crushshon has been a counselor and administrator at The Blake School for ten years. He currently holds the position of Grade Dean at Blake's Upper School. He has also taught physical education, algebra, logic, and economics. Dion has been actively involved in LearningWorks since its inception, conducting yearly diversity workshops for LearningWorks teachers, serving on student selection committees, working as Dean of Students, and serving on the Advisory Board. In addition to working with young people, Dion enjoys playing basketball and golf, and chasing after his three-year old.
Kim Ellison is a parent and educator. She is also a parent of a LearningWorks graduate, Isaiah. Through Isaiah's experience at LearningWorks, Kim grew committed to the value of the program. Kim brings a wealth of experience to the LearningWorks Advisory Board, including board membership with Juxtaposition Arts and Steppingstone Theatre.
Robin Hartwell is a parent and community volunteer. Her passion for education and equal opportunity for all people inspires her non-profit work. Robin currently serves on the Blake Board of Trustees and as Co-chair of the LearningWorks Advisory Board. Her two children attend Lake Country School, where Robin was also a Board Trustee. Both Robin and her husband Charlie are graduates of The Blake School, and Robin graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA in 1986. Prior to her non-profit and volunteer career, Robin was in advertising, marketing and new product development.
Kelley Nelson recently moved to the Twin Cities after spending seven years in Boston at The Steppingstone Foundation. During her tenure, Kelley served as Admissions Coordinator, Placement Coordinator, Dean of Support Services and Dean of Placement while the organization grew from six staff members to more than 30. A graduate of Colby College with a BA in Sociology and Women's Studies, Kelley is the Co-Director of The Blake School's Center for Diversity and as such is responsible for ensuring that all members of the Blake community feel respected, welcomed, and valued regardless of their background. Kelley and her husband Matt, have one son, Tyler, who just celebrated his first birthday. They enjoy hiking, yoga, reading, and traveling together.
Sandy Pursley is the mother of two LearningWorks graduates and has spent nearly a decade working in the nonprofit sector. She is a passionate advocate for urban public education with its particular challenges and joys and understands the inherent impact of public education on our society, both today and undeniably for the future. Sandy's nonprofit work has been primarily in the areas of program management, strategic planning and communications, serving the educational arena, seniors and low-income housing organizations. She has been privileged to take part in regional and national forums affecting change beyond the Twin Cities. Before her nonprofit efforts, Sandy worked in advertising and marketing.
Bill Sternberg joined The Minneapolis Foundation in 2002 as the Professional Advisor Development Officer. His professional experience includes sixteen years in business development and relationship management roles with Citicorp Private Banking, Piper Jaffray & Co., and Fisher Investments. He has previously served on the Alumni Board of The Blake School and the Boards of several non-profit organizations.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College in Wellesley, MA. He has also completed coursework in Fundraising at U.C.L.A. Bill is a native of Minneapolis, but spent 13 years living in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. He now lives in Plymouth with his wife Manon and their children, Noah and Emma.
Robert Zelle, who is currently teaching seventh grade English and social studies at The Blake School, has been teaching and coaching at independent middle schools for 18 years. His teaching career includes stops in Israel, Chicago, England and St. Paul. He also enjoys bicycling, writing, drawing and is a professional storyteller.
top
Partner Schools
The Blake School
Minneapolis Public Middle Grades Schools
Minneapolis Public High Schools
- Edison
- Patrick Henry
- North
- Roosevelt
- South
- Southwest
- Washburn
top
Student Demographics
Our remarkable students are consistently overcoming the social and economic challenges that statistically put United States' students at disadvantages. Below is information that too often indicates poor performance and low achievement – however this is not the case for LearningWorks students who demonstrate that they are on the path to personal success.
|
| Male |
47% |
| Female |
53% |
| |
| European/European-American/White |
26% |
| Chicano/Hispanic/Latino |
24% |
| African/African American/Black |
23% |
| Multiracial |
16% |
| Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander |
10% |
| American Indian/Native American |
1% |
| |
| Percent of students who immigrated from Afghanistan, Congo, Ecuador, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Somalia, and Thailand. |
15% |
| Percent of students who speak a language other than English at home. Languages, in addition to English, spoken at LW homes include Dary, French, Hmong, Somali, Spanish, and Thai. |
32% |
| |
| Percent of families living AT or BELOW the national poverty line |
28% |
| Percent of families that qualify for free/reduced lunch |
54% |
| Percent of families with incomes of $40,000 or less per year |
60% |
| Percent of single-parent/guardian households |
32% |
| Percent of parent(s)/guardian(s) without a four-year college degree |
54% |
top
The Need for LearningWorks
To read a comprehensive report on the necessity of LearningWorks in Minneapolis, click here.
top
|
