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Davonté Simmons What is your favorite Reach for Excellence memory from this Summer? My favorite reach for excellence memory from this Summer is completing two novels during our Book Club. The young men and I both were excited and proud to complete two thought-provoking novels during our time together. What do you teach? I teach 5th grade, all subjects, including Bible curriculum. Where did you go to school? I went to Benedict College, an HBCU in South Carolina, for undergraduate studies and the University of Kansas to obtain my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. How would you [...]

Cohort 2021 S completes Reach for Excellence On Saturday, July 31st, Cohort S 2021 was honored for completing Reach for Excellence's three-year academic program.  Henry Diep, Cohort 2017 O, was our guest speaker.  Henry will be attending Georgia Tech this Fall and is a recipient of the Tim Cambias Memorial Scholarship.  The young scholars of Cohort S were accepted to the following high schools: Chamblee Charter High School Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School DeKalb Early College Academy Holy Innocents Episcopal School Lanier High School Marist School North [...]

Open House Guests See Reach for Excellence in Action This past Tuesday, July 20, Reach for Excellence welcomed friends of our program to visit our campus.  Guests met several Reach for Excellence alumni currently serving as interns during our summer session and where able to ask them questions about their experience in the program and their journey after.  Following a brief update by our Executive Director, Karen Dessables, guests were invited to tour classrooms and interact with our teachers and students.  We are so grateful to all who [...]

Andrew Betz How long have you taught with Reach for Excellence? 2021 is my 5th year, possibly 6th. What do you teach? I teach SSAT Math and Board Games Where did you go to school? I went to college at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania How would you describe yourself in middle school? Middle school was my opportunity to indulge in lawn mowing and math.  Lots of both. What was your favorite book, music, or movie when you were in middle school? Book - Lord of the Rings, Music - everything Beatles, Movie - Star Wars (I have [...]

Kandon Fears (Cohort 2018 P) Sworn In as DeKalb County Youth Commissioner Reach for Excellence Alum, Kandon Fears (Cohort 2018 P, DeKalb School of the Arts '22), was recently selected to be a DeKalb County Youth Commissioner. Thirty-two youth from throughout the County were sworn into their positions as Youth Commissioners by the Honorable Asha Jackson, DeKalb County Chief Judge of Superior Court at a recent virtual ceremony. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond was the featured speaker, stating “you have the power and the influence to transform and improve the quality of life throughout DeKalb County, [...]

Christopher Lembo How long have you taught with Reach for Excellence? I have taught with Reach since this past October. What do you teach? I teach 8th grade Algebra. Where did you go to school? I attended Servite High School in southern California, and then the University of Notre Dame for my undergraduate studies. How would you describe yourself in middle school? In middle school, I was timid and lacked confidence, but I loved to read and play sports. What was your favorite book, music, or movie when you were in middle school? My favorite books in middle school [...]

Summer J. Robinson, Cohort 2011, I Tell us the story about how you came to Reach for Excellence… I believe that Mark Stucker, the high school advisor at my middle school, told my parents about Reach for Excellence. Or they may have heard about RFE from A Better Chance. What memories from the program stand out to you and why? I remember going on a few trips with Reach for Excellence, including going to a science museum in Augusta, GA and going on a field trip in the woods. I also remember volunteering at the Atlanta Food [...]