Alcorn alumni selected to participate in Black History Month Webinar

Alcorn alumni selected to participate in Black History Month Webinar

Two of Alcorn State University’s alumni gave their opinions on issues concerning the educational well being of minority students.

Woodrow Price, who is the president of the Claiborne County Association of Educators, and Sarai Johnson, an educationally handicapped educator, participated in the Black History Month webinar, “Students of Color in Education: Endangered or Ignored?” Wednesday, Feb. 25. The National Education Association’s (NEA) Minority Community Organizing and Partnerships Department hosted the webinar.

The webinar participants engaged in dialogue around topics that are related to minority student achievement, students’ racial and/or economic background, parents’ education level, access to high quality preschool instruction, school funding, peer influences, teachers’ expectations, and curricular and instructional quality. According to the NEA, young students of color do not boast positive numbers when it comes to graduation rates, literacy rates and college preparedness. The dialogue will give scholars the platform to share ideas that could lead the progression of minority students.

Johnson, who also teaches at Port Gibson Middle School in Port Gibson, Miss., feels the opportunity will equip her to instruct students on how exceed society’s expectations of them.

“It is indeed an honor to have been selected to participate in the webinar,” said Johnson, who graduated from Alcorn in 2007. “ Participating in the webinar will motivate me to continue to strive to ensure the students I teach are encouraged and provided opportunities to reach beyond what is expected of them.”

Woodrow Price, a teacher at A. W. Watson Elementary School in Port Gibson, Miss., believes parents’ play an important role in the success of the student’s performance in school.

“I would encourage the parent to seek help early if a child is struggling,” said Price, who also graduated from Alcorn in 2007. “If a child has a solid foundation in primary grades, their chances of succeeding increases. Parents should also establish a relationship with their child’s teacher. If a child sees the teacher and parent on the same page, they will give their best effort.”