LeBron James’ ‘I Promise School’ Is Restoring My Faith in Humanity

03Aug
by Leticia Chavez-Garcia

I am not a huge fan and follower of the NBA and basketball per se, however, I think we have at least all heard of LeBron James.  He has been a controversial, at times, big money player in the NBA.  In case, you do not know who LeBron James, he is a American basketball player in the NBA who most recently spent the last four years playing ball for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he just signed to become a Los Angeles Laker.

In social media circles, he became a trending hashtag earlier this year when FOX News conservative talk show host, Laura Ingraham tweeted at James to “shut up and dribble..” after he openly criticized President Trump. Thank God he did not.

This week, James  opened a public school for at-risk students in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.  

A total of 240 students have been admitted and will attend the inaugural year of the school.  James created the school as part of the LeBron James Family Foundation. The Foundation hopes to help kids thrive despite their living situations and challenges.

The I Promise School is an investment of the James Foundation of $8 million dollars that includes the promise of college for every graduate of the school. The school, which is a public school, created in collaboration with the Akron public school system, opened its doors to 240 students who were hand picked and offered the opportunity based on their academic performance. Only students who were behind their peers by at least two years we chosen for this opportunity.

Aside from the usual staff, teachers and administrators that all public schools have, the I Promise School includes four (4) intervention specialists, a tutor, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, and a music teacher.  No more than 20 students per class is permitted.

The I Promise School will also offer support and resources to the parents of the students by including wrap around services such as GED classes for parents and job assistance for parents. All students who graduate from the program will have the opportunity to attend the University of Akron fully paid by Lebron James.  

We wish the inaugural class all the best and look forward to great things, but we also hope it inspires other athletes or folks with the means to do the same in their community.

What do you think?

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Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Leticia Chavez-Garcia is a Mother, Grandmother, former Middle School Teacher, former Member of a School Board of Education and an Education Advocate for hundreds of parents and students in the Inland Empire. Having become a mother at 15, Leticia knows what it’s like to be a single mother trying to navigate the education system. Leticia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from California Baptist University and a Masters’ Degree in Education Technology from Cal State Fullerton in her 30’s. Leticia has used her knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families as an Education Advocate in the Inland Empire and currently works as an Education Specialist.

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