Forsyth County, North Carolina

The Forsyth Promise 2020 Education Report

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INCREASING CONTEXT AROUND OUR OUTCOMES

Stories of Lived Experience

Stories from those with lived experience of our systems is an important component of work to change these systems for the better. These stories help expand our perspectives, humanize our conversations on education, and engage a broader community audience than data can on its own.

Tonya L. Wood

Interview #1

Tonya L. Woods

Parent of a 5th Grade WS/FCS Student

I am a child of humble beginning — statistically I should not have reached the professional goals that I have due to the environment in which I found myself growing up. However, my own drive and determination started my journey, the resources provided public library in low-income housing, ESR, 4H Club, Girl Scouts, and Boys and Girls Club in the community were all programs that were beneficial in assisting me in the foundation of achieving my goal. The Upward Bound program was critically important in assisting me with the roadmap of how to get to college and locate the financial resources that would assist me in achieving my goals.

Click on any topic on the right to view Tonya’s responses.

How would you imagine a thriving Winston-Salem Community?

A thriving Winston-Salem community is a community of “inclusion;” a community in which equality is the norm, not the exception.

What would it take for every child to be academically successful?

Academic success for each child requires equal resources and support. A village of educators/parents/community that fill in the gap when there is one. Resources that all children can access.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages
Safe and Stable Housing
Technology and The Digital Divide
Mental Health and Wellness
Discrimination and Bias in Schools
School Climate and Engagement
The Impact of COVID-19
Greizy Beckles-Araque

Interview #2

Greizy Beckles-Araque

Parent of a Kindergartener and 6th Grader in WS/FCS; Parent Advocate, Child Care Resource Center

I grew up in a big city where the criminal rate was the highest in the country, in the world. We were number one. So, you know, when I move over here, this was the perfect place to find peace to a start a family. At that point, I wasn’t even thinking, but the reason why 25 years and I’m still here is because we’ve been able to grow. You know, I see the diversity in this tiny little town that I may not see in other places. I feel like this city ours, our tiny little community and we have our challenges. Yes, we do. But we do have a lot of resources. We, being here, look at us, the three of us, we’ve been knowing each other for years, you know, working through, different organizations. And this is what Winston is for me. We can even grow a little bit more, the quality of others, the families that we serve. For me, Winston is an amazing community. So for me, it’s just a little bit different, but yes, we, we do have to do a little bit better for the families that don’t have the same opportunity that we have.

Click on any topic on the right to view Greizy’s responses.

This week, this week it’s been an amazing week for, for us as our minorities. It’s been a great week for, for my families as an immigrant family, we been talking about it, you know, like, okay, what’s next, what’s next for you guys to dream about it. What’s next for you guys to do about it? Is everybody getting the same opportunity? Now we want to believe that yes. That that will be, but you know, historically equity is been always an issue, so we will see.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages
Safe and Stable Housing
Technology and The Digital Divide
Mental Health and Wellness
NaTashia Alexander

Interview #3

NaTashia Alexander

Parent of a Kindergartener in WS/FCS;
Child Care Resource Center

We must value our teachers a little bit more. As a parent, I support the job that they are trying to do.  Also, I feel that we must invest in the parents and caregivers so the child will not suffer the consequences. Teachers are invested. The school system is invested as well as local organizations offering direct services and education support.

An example of that support can be seen when many providers opened their facilities to offer remote learning to school-age children whose parents needed extra support. But overall, it’s important that we invest in parents. We have to and we still have time.

Click on any topic on the right to view NaTashia’s responses.

How would you imagine a thriving Winston-Salem Community?

One thing I can say about Winston — and this is what I’ve just observed through the news and just listening through people at different community organizations — that Forsyth County has a type of togetherness that I can really appreciate that. And this is just my eyes, but sometimes I feel like our lawmakers, cops, and our community leaders, like they’re listening to each other, we may be on different sides and we may be butting heads, but the conversation is being had, and they are being respectful, I feel like in Winston, but we could do better.

What would it take for every child to be academically successful?

Increasing teacher pay and addressing burnout.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages
Safe and Stable Housing
Technology and The Digital Divide
Mental Health and Wellness
The Impact of COVID-19
Anonymous

Interview #4

Anonymous

Exceptional Children’s Teacher, WS/FCS

Click on any topic on the right to view the interviewee’s responses.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages
The Impact of COVID-19
Discrimination and Bias in Schools
Anonymous

Interview #5

Anonymous

Parent of WS/FCS 4th grader

Click on any topic on the right to view the interviewee’s responses.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages
Discrimination and Bias in Schools
Sylvia Adams

Interview #6

Mrs. Sylvia Adams

Executive Director, The Salvation Army Ken Carlson Boys & Girls Club

Click on any topic on the right to view Mrs. Adams’ responses.

How would you imagine a thriving Winston-Salem Community?

A thriving Winston Salem Community will be when you see communities and neighbors coming together and when we see activities with all social-economic people working together to help the city thrive.

What would it take for every child to be academically successful?

For every child to be given the same opportunities, to attend a private school, or school of choice and not have any barriers stopping them. To have all students attend the college of their choice and not have to worry about having to pay for college, or finding the resources to pay for college.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages
Safe and Stable Housing
Technology and The Digital Divide
Mental Health and Wellness
Discrimination and Bias in Schools
School Climate and Engagement
The Impact of COVID-19

Pathways to Action

We can work together to organize, advocate, and drive positive change.

When we work together, we have the power to change our systems for the better. We hope those who read this report feel encouraged and inspired to get involved. Local groups are working to support and improve our systems and there are many ways for anyone to get involved.

get engaged in the community conversation

Get Engaged in the Community Conversation on Education

Join us for Be The Change: Making Good on Our Promise, a digital convening designed to bring people together and discuss coordinated community-wide action to increase equity and improve outcomes.

Learn more about the initiatives taking action to improve our educational systems

Learn About Work Being Done to Improve Our Educational Systems

Initiative Action Profiles highlight current, collaborative, community work to improve our systems of education.

provide feedback

Help Improve this Report by Sharing Your Feedback

Each year, The Forsyth Promise publishes a community report on Forsyth County's educational systems. By taking just a moment to share your thoughts on the 2020 report, you can help make future reports better.

help us build a more complete perspective

Help Us Build a More Complete Perspective

Help us understand important aspects of our educational systems that this report may have overlooked or suggest new information to improve the report.

volunteer

Find a Volunteer Opportunity that's Right for You

Everyone in our community possesses important gifts, skills, and talents they can use to help make Forsyth County a better place to live.

share the story of your lived experience

Share the Story of Your Lived Experience

Forsyth County residents of all ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds can participate in our Lived Experience Lab, through which we capture and share critical community stories about educational experiences.