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Welcome to Aspire! ~
Where Girls Learn to ed
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What are the girls saying about Aspire?

"At Aspire I learned how to face my fears, how to stand out of my comfort zone, how to lead, and how to feel comfortable with myself." - Oaeja Wimbley, Classof 2013

"Aspire has taught me to be a free thinker. I have to decide who I am, and make decisions that are right for me." -Katie Baron, Classof 2012

"The things I learned at Aspire make me want to know what else is out there." -SumayyahHusain, Classof 2014

"At Aspire they make learning fun. They don't tell you things and expect you to remember them. They help you and make sure you understand." -Briahnah Streeter. Classof 2013 "Aspire has helped me understand what a healthy role model is by being healthy role models themselves. They encourage people to work hard and be confident. Our opinions count and our voices are heard." -Jahci Perry-Richardson, Classof 2012 "Aspire has given me a chance to be a leader by putting me in the right positions so I can shine." -Amber Clegget , Classof 2013

What is Important at Aspire?

Aspire Core Values

Potential Every young woman who is part of The Aspire Program has potential. In keeping with Hathaway Brown School's philosophy, we feel that there is no limit to what girls and women can accomplish. In fact, more opportunities are open to young women today than at any other time in human history. Together, we are preparing our students to seek out and be open to new opportunities. By seizing these opportunities, individuals can make a difference in our communities. Aspire students and teachers believe the future can be different, and they look forward to tomorrow. Leadership Modern day challenges call for intelligent and compassionate leadership. We would like to help Aspire participants realize that making wise leadership decisions depends upon knowing the consequences of one's actions. We will lead each other to fully consider who and what will be affected by the decisions we make. We believe that leadership skills can be taught and learnedespecially in an environment that offers practice and specific feedback. Something of a leadership nursery, Aspire is a place where any individual's leadership skills can improve. Commitment to Excellence Already a gathering place for highly talented individuals, Aspire is a place where teachers and students will encourage each other to capitalize on individual strengths and to achieve excellence. Perspectives Whenever more than one person gathers, there are multiple possible perspectives. Aspire students and teachers are open to others' ideas, work to understand the positions other people take, and try to find a fair compromise when these perspectives differ. Respect At Aspire, we feel it is important to be respectful and honest with oneself and the others in one's community. We hope that working together we can create a community that allows a diverse body of interests, ideas, and personalities to grow. We seek to increase our awareness across lines of race, socioeconomic background, gender, age, ethnicity, and sexuality. We do not uphold comments and ideas that interfere with an individual's sense of worth. Mentorship People at Aspire value education, and are led to respect those who teach them. Much at Aspire is crafted around a belief in active mentorship and teaching. By inventing, implementing, and problem solving together, individuals at Aspire will create a community where people feel stretched and supported simultaneously. Feedback to students and colleagues will be delivered with personal growth and development in mind. Energy Energy is contagious. We want Aspire to be a place where people feel inspired to be creative and are excited about what they do.

What Aspire's Apprentice Teachers Have to Say...

"No other program gives college students the opportunity pire to plan their own courses with the outhas made me more likely to standing mentorship that exists at Aspire ... The Asexperience choose a career in education. I had been considerNow I

ing education, but was not fully convinced. know it what I want and need to do."

Alex Honold, Rice University

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Aspire has benefited me by giving me a place

to spread my wings, in an environment that understands mistakes, and encourages reflection and improvements. embrace challenges."
Shannon Jeffries, Aspire Class of '06, The Ohio State University

It has taught me to

"Aspire originally influenced me to pursue teaching. I switched my minor to become a It has now reinforced my

certified teacher. desire to teach. "

Isabel Ballard, HB Class of '09, Bates Col-

"No other teaching experience (including student teaching) has been comparable to the intensity and joy of Aspire."

Katie Blachman, College of Wooster

Since 2002, Aspire has served

396 Girls

The Aspire Program recruits fifth grade girls from under resourced public schools in three neighboring districts in the Cleveland area. Over the course of a three-year commitment during middle school, Aspire girls develop as learners, leaders, and decision makers. During high school, each Aspire graduate is able to take part in programming designed to make college more accessible. All costs related to participation including tuition, supplies, lunch, and transportation are fully covered.

Family Information
FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH 71%

School District

PARENT IS A COLLEGE GRAD

30% 36%
Cleveland 41% CHUH 31% Other 2% East Cleveland 23% Charter 3%

SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD

Key Successes: Student Ethnicity

AfricanAmerican 81% White 10%

.:. 78% of Aspire's first three cohorts are attending college . :. 96% of alumnae reported that participating Aspire made them better leaders . :. 78% of alumnae report taking AP or Honors classes in their high schools . :. 83% of the students stated that Aspire has increased their excitement about learning . :. 100% of parents said they have seen their daughter grow and change throughout her time at Aspire . .:. Aspire retained 91% of students.

in

Hispanic 3%

Multiracial

5%

Asian 1%

Since 2002, Aspire has served

HathawayBrown

194 Faculty

Aspire offers high school and college students an intense, first-hand introduction to the teaching profession. Aspire recruits teaching candidates with significant mentoring and leadership experience, having drawn from area high schools as well as a number of the nation's leading colleges. With guidance and feedback from experienced mentors, these young people design and teach lessons that engage and challenge student participants. In addition to pursuing teaching as a career, many Aspire staff members leave to become advocates for education, poised to bring creative solutions forward.

Faculty Information Faculty Ethnicity

ASPIRE ALUMNAE JUNIOR TEACHERS White 64% RETURNING STAFF African-American 24% Asian 8% Multiracial 3% Hispanic 1% MENTORS' AVERAGE YEARS TEACHING

13
63%

12

"The Aspire experience has reinforced my decision to begin a career in education. I have always been nervous that I liked the whole idea of teaching more than the practice, but my fears have been quelled." Steven Elliott, The Ohio State University

Key Successes:
.:. 100% of faculty surveyed said Aspire offers new teachers an effective introduction to teaching . 87% of faculty surveyed said Aspire solidified their decision to choose a career in education . 95% of faculty surveyed identified themselves as educational advocates . 53% of respondents report they're teaching currently.

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"Aspire has taught me the value Directing Teacher, I have pushed students' needs and abilities first and push them to think in original

of collaborative teaching and detailed constructive feedback. In working with my myself to try new teaching strategies and content. I have also learned to place the when developing lesson plans. I need to meet the students where they are currently ways." Marguerite Christensen, Baldwin Wallace University