Math Teacher Brian Snowden and Fourth-Grade Teacher Vanessa Williams are sponsors of the school’s Beta Club, and Jackie St. Cyr, reading academic specialist, is the student ambassador sponsor. Together, the groups volunteer their services wherever they are needed and come up with different ideas to better the community and the school.
Inspire Charter Academy's Beta Club.
“There’s a sense of community here where we’re able just to work together whether it's inside of inside of work or outside of work because we're all in line with the same goal of helping the kids and you know make our children succeed,” Snowden said.
The Beta Club is a student organization that promotes academic achievement, leadership, and community service among school-aged students. Guided by its mission of “Let us lead by serving others,” it consists of students who excel academically and have a commitment to service. They are surrounded by like-minded individuals and complete numerous service projects throughout the year, such as making care packages for a nursing home at Christmas.
Inspire Charter Academy's Beta Club and student ambassadors work together during a community service event.
Around the school, students pitch in during events, help teachers grade papers, and take part in a beautification service. Each year the club attends the state convention at the Cajundome in Lafayette, and Williams said last year was its most productive. Sixth grader Zoi Taylor won the elementary spelling bee and Beta members also competed in the onsite drawing, speech, and talent competitions.
“The best part was watching them engage with other Beta members from around the state,” Williams said. “They loved it, and I loved watching them have a wonderful time.”
Clad in navy blue blazers with pins to signify their accomplishments, the student ambassadors serve as a liaison between their school, prospective students, visitors, and the community. These students are chosen for their leadership, communication skills, and commitment to promoting their institution in a positive light.
Jackie St. Cyr sponsors Inspire's student ambassadors.
Many students in Beta Club also are active in student ambassadors, with both groups applying Moral Focus virtues in working with community leaders to build positive relationships. Working together to host an event such as a community Thanksgiving dinner and a food drive has opened the door for community leaders to come to Inspire to speak or help during driveline.
“The door swings both ways,” St. Cyr said. “Whenever we need them to come in it’s nice for them to be able to come in and the kids enjoy seeing them in the building and being able to reciprocate their service to be able to give and receive services.”
Bria Snowden sponsors Inspire's Beta Club.
Sponsoring the Beta Club and student ambassadors has been extremely rewarding for Snowden, Williams, and St. Cyr. It might be a lot of work in addition to their responsibilities in the classroom, but there’s no doubt that it’s worth the effort.
Vanessa Williams sponsors Inspire's Beta Club.
“There’s a sense of community here where we’re able to work together whether it's inside of work or outside of work as well,” Snowden said. “We’re aligned with the same goal of helping the kids and making our children succeed.”
Keep up the excellent work, Inspire team!
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About Inspire Charter Academy
Inspire Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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