The experiences of Tusculum College students teaching the "Promise of Five" program to Doak Elementary School sixth graders was the focus of a presentation by both the college students and the sixth graders. Making a presentation about safe places with structured activities for youth are, from left, Tusculum students Whitley Campbell, Lea Anne Jaynes, and Matt Cook; Doak student Tyler Lamb; and Tusculum student Matthew Welborn. (Tusculum College photo)

Tusculum College students, local elementary school students part of model America's Promise program

Tusculum College Service-Learning students and sixth graders from Doak Elementary School have been learning the "Power of Five."

The college and elementary students shared their experiences in the "Power of Five" program, a new America's Promise initiative, this morning in a presentation (Dec. 11), attended by community leaders and the partnership coordinator of the national program.

As part of a new Service-Learning course at Tusculum, the college students taught the Doak sixth graders about the five basic tenants of the America's Promise program, which focuses on strengthening communities to provide greater opportunity for youths to lead successful lives. The new Power of Five program, which was created by America's Promise with Weekly Reader, encourages youths ages 11 to 14 to fulfill a modified version of the Five Promises. It is hoped that the course will become a model for other colleges and universities in the America's Promise program.

The Tusculum students divided into groups to teach one of the promises and told how they addressed each one with the sixth graders. A Doak student joined the groups to tell what they had learned of the first four promises, which include: a caring adult in the life of every child, a safe place with structured activities during non-school hours, a healthy start; and marketable skills through effective education.

"We wanted to keep the students involved and have some fun activities; we all learned together," said Tusculum student Marvin Kelly, describing the method that each of the groups used to teach the promises to the students.

Working with the Doak sixth graders was a gratifying experience the Tusculum students agreed. "This has been a totally fulfilling experience," said Michelle Langford. "I have never been in a position in which I have been looked up to. I would do it all over again."

Leah Walker also said she would do the project again. "But if I were to do it again I would try to have more time to spend with the students."

Tony Kerns, principal of Doak School, and sixth graders talked about the fifth promise, which involves opportunities to give back to the community through service. The sixth graders decided to conduct a two-day school-wide drive to collect food and other supplies for the local Food Bank, Kerns said, and they were able to take two pick-up truckloads to the Food Bank, operated by the Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries.

"What we want to do is to have the students serve and be an example to help motivate other students to do it as well," he said. Kerns and the sixth graders thanked the Tusculum students for the time and effort they had spent at Doak as part of the project.

"Tusculum College's students and staff lead by example," Kerns said. "For Tusculum's students and staff, this is the normal thing they do. It makes it easier for us to get involved and continue in an organization."

Attending the presentation were a variety of community leaders, including representatives from Tusculum College, the Volunteer Center, the Greene County and Greeneville school systems, and the local Community of Promise organization.

An honored guest was Danielle Moore, partnership coordinator for America's Promise, who traveled from Washington, D.C., to attend the presentation.

"Know that your story will go well beyond the Power of Five program," Moore told the Tusculum and Doak students, adding that she would be telling about the program around the country. "You are pioneers and you should be proud of the partnership you have formed," she said.

Tusculum College is a "College of Promise" in the Greene County Community of Promise program, which is a part of America's Promise - the Alliance for Youth national organization. Locally, it is a program of the Volunteer Center.

Recently, the college and the Volunteer Center entered a partnership agreement to formalize and strengthen its working relationship. One of the major efforts of the partnership this year is the creation of the Service-Learning class. The partnership's emphasis is to increasing student learning opportunities through service while addressing community needs. The partnership also expresses a shared commitment to strengthen the community while supporting the Civic Arts mission of the college.