Anyone who works in a school, knows the importance of support personnel in keeping the institution running smoothly, especially if they come from the community of the students. This is so true at Henry High, in the Camden Community of North Minneapolis. There are currently 22 alumni returning to Henry High as employees of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and community partner organizations. They include: eight special education assistants (SEAs); three instructors/teachers; an emergency manager in safety and security; a lunchroom worker; an academic interventionalist; a wrestling coach; and a para mentor — all employees of MPS. Community partners at Henry include Change Equals Opportunity (CEO) providing four alumni; Beacons Boys and Girls Club with a center in the building contributes a teen specialist alumnus; and Achieve Minneapolis provides an alumnus in the Henry Career Center.
This is a snapshot of some of the alumni folks, and why they have chosen to return to Henry High as employees. Statements of 15 individuals all indicated that they selected their job at this school because they know they can build relationships with students who come from similar backgrounds and/or they grew up in the same environment. Commitment to helping Henry students was paramount, emphasized by most.
Shaadia Munye is an Academic Interventionist in Literacy. She graduated from Henry in 2018. Her focus is on students who have been academically affected by COVID, helping them fill in any literacy gaps they may have. Sometimes she just offers support in classrooms, helping wherever she is needed. Munye says, “I returned to Henry because I love this school, through and through. I’ve learned and grown so much in this building. Having the opportunity to give these scholars just a fraction of the love and support I received, I know could change the projection of their lives. The youth at #CHANGETHENAME have and will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Kong Xiong of Achieve Minneapolis provides career and college resources to Henry students. He helps seniors prepare for life after high school, whether it’s straight to work or going to college. If college is the route, Kong supports students in filling out applications, (Application for Federal Student Aid), and scholarships. Xiong says, “I returned to Henry because I wanted to give back to my community and where else can I do it than at the high school I graduated from? I want our students to see an alumnus in a success story. This can be a motivation for our current students to venture to their own adventures and success.”
Tim Gill of Emergency Management Safety and Security Services says, “I am here to support Henry in a partnership to keep the Henry High community safe and equitable. I provide the students with reliability and guidance. I also encourage some students to join my summer guidance program. I was assigned here based on my history, of being a past student here. They felt I understand the kids from the community. Once I got in here [at Henry], caring about the school and the kids heightened. I am young and have energy. I am an optimist in seeing this building become a better one.”
Starr McDonald, a Special Education Assistant says, “I feel like I relate to a lot of the kids and can be a good role model, building strong bonds, being their safe space and guiding them in the right direction!
Note: Nine of the 22 alumni in this study are female, 13 are male. All but one of the 22 alumni are individuals of color.