Educational Programs:
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
- George Washington Carver
Education is Key
This concept that education is a key that can unlock the door to incredible opportunity is an insight from a man born into slavery in 1864. George Washington Carver studied bacterial botany and agriculture at Iowa State University in the 1890s. He applied that knowledge at Tuskegee Institute to solve agricultural problems facing struggling Black farmers. These farmers struggled against insect infestation; Carver developed low-cost insecticides using plants. Farmers struggled against poor crop yields; Carver applied his knowledge to develop crop rotation techniques and fertilizers using plants. All benefited.
In the early 20th century, Carver was befriended by the manufacturing magnate Henry Ford. Their shared interest was using plants to produce beneficial products. Caver explored using plants to make rubber and plastics, which were essential for the automotive revolution that was to come. George Washington Carver experienced education as a key to solving problems and transforming American life.
Our Pupil of the Eye Network will promote the critical importance of Carver’s experiences in guiding our lives in the 21st century. Education is a key to unlocking the golden door of freedom, and that freedom liberates us from poverty, ignorance, bigotry, and prejudice. This universal truth crosses geographical, cultural, and time boundaries.
Singapore Math
Our first educational initiative will be to advocate for adopting Singapore Math into our local elementary schools and providing math tutoring for 3rd through 5th-grade students who will apply those educational techniques.
Singapore Math is a common-sense instruction method that allows elementary school students to learn primarily from what they observe and touch (“concrete instruction”). This method was adopted by Jerome Bruner at Harvard University, who observed that 3rd—5th graders' brains have not yet fully developed the abstract skills needed to succeed in learning from the teacher presentation methods prevalent in the US.
The Nation of Singapore adopted Bruner’s method into its educational system. They provided the training and support for teachers and students that made their program successful. This method of instruction helps “develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts.” Singapore ranks 1st in international rankings in math performance.
We will launch math advocacy programs and tutoring on MLK Day, 01/16/2025.
If you are an educator or parent or believe that education is, in fact, the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom, then subscribe to our Blog.
This day should be a time of success in improving our children’s achievement.
Work Together to Improve Our Schools
We understand that individual activism will not introduce the best instructional methods into our schools.
It will take the joint efforts of the community and our allies in business, education, and nonpartisan politics to ensure our children have the educational achievement they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
We look forward to your support.
