Imagine an elaborate scaffold not built from metal poles and wooden platforms but from scores of humans working together to lift eligible students toward self-determination. Gradually, the need for support lessens as the empowered students overcome barriers, gain confidence and self-determination — and graduate from high school.
“I love our MOVE+ program,” says Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell. “Not only has our programming been impactful for the students of Newport News Public Schools, but it has become a model for other school divisions.” Because NNPS has implemented and further customized a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) program called Mentoring Overcoming Violence (MOVE), NNPS’ MOVE+ is an “echo program” gaining notoriety.
Mitchell affectionately refers to the MOVE+ Secondary Team as “TLC.” Dr. Tonya Faulk, Lisa Searcy and Chanté Lawrence have presented this program at national and state conferences. Multi-faceted MOVE+ features include mentored nontraditional, extra-curricular time and field trips such as the White House, Baltimore Aquarium, an NBA game, Top Golf and college campuses. Faulk notes, “During these outings, students don’t even know they are practicing self-regulation and internal locus of control!” VDOE articulates seven more similar elements found in self-determination research, and the TLC team plans assiduously throughout the summer which activities and outings will achieve these nine elements. Searcy says, “We plan activities to get students out of their comfort zone” where the growth happens.
When MOVE+ students have overnight outings that require a hotel stay, the TLC team uses microphones in the motorcoach to explain how to check in to a hotel. Then in smaller groups on the bus, mentors reinforce and elaborate on what to do. Then the scaffolding really comes down! The mentors and chaperones step back as each student checks into the hotel front desk and receives a room key.
Although funded by the Common-
wealth, MOVE+ depends heavily on generous grants to make these outings possible. When budgetary constraints hit hard, the TLC team gets creative. At Christmas time, participants were given wrapping paper and tape. Students determined for themselves the best way to wrap a gift for their family. Faulk explains, “Those were out-of-pocket TLC funds but well worth it!”
Student Joseph Jordan graduated Menchville High School with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education through the New Horizons program. In his four years in MOVE+ Jordan says he grew up and matured with the help of Jordan Moody, his mentor. “I also learned how to channel anger and move on from the past. I’m going to Virginia State University in the fall,” he adds.
At the MOVE+ End of Year Banquet, Woodside High School student Lyon Jackson served as master of ceremonies, along with Lawrence. With great poise and humor, he comments, “I just learned what an MC was about a week ago!”
Because he was taking a graduation trip, Heritage High School graduate Chase Smith submitted for the banquet a pre-recorded video message in which he described himself as nonverbal as a child with autism. “Early intervention, speech therapy and my Individualized Education Program helped me thrive. Sometimes the quietest voices carry the strongest stories. Don’t let disabilities define us.”
Mykyle Scott, a MOVE+ graduate and now a mentor in the program says, “Your lessons are not always taught in the classroom. Your future is bright and your journey is just beginning.”
Back to that human scaffold, students are surrounded and supported by mentors like Moody and Scott as well as special education teachers/case managers, Special Education Transition Services, the Newport News school board, the Commonwealth of Virginia and VDOE, the Newport News Education Foundation, NNPS Administration, the regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) located at the College of William & Mary and, very importantly, family members who are fully integrated into the MOVE+ processes. Parent Shameca Powell says she didn’t have these kinds of programs. Her emotional and heartfelt banquet speech describes how she grew to trust MOVE+ as she saw her son Bra’lon Powell “transform and feel comfortable being himself.”
The T of the TLC team, Tonya Faulk says, “I can’t even describe the joy this program brings us. We are the architects of this program all the way through to graduation, and then we get to be an aunt to all the boys even after they’ve gone to college.” The beaming smile on her face does describe the joy.
The L of the TLC team, Lisa Searcy adds, “You know how people ask, ‘What’s Your Why?’ I’ve found my why.”
The C of the TLC team, Chanté Lawrence shares, “We are planning to develop a program for eligible females at the secondary level, initially piloted at one school.” She frequently quotes an African proverb that likens this human scaffolding to a village. “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”
TO THE POINT:
Newport News Public Schools MOVE+
Address: 12465 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606
Contact: Chanté Lawrence, referral and compliance specialist and MOVE+ Program
Phone: 757-283-7850, ext 10423
Email: Chante.Lawrence@nn.k12.va.us
Website: sbo.nn.k12.va.us/contact
