At an early age, Tommy Walls, Jr. decided that in order to survive, he had to become the leader in his family. Born into dire circumstances in Detroit , surrounded by mental illness, HIV and drug addiction, Walls made it his objective to change his living situation. And he did just that – after meeting Milwaukee relatives at a family reunion, he moved to their city with an adult cousin to begin a new life. Little did Walls know that his life-changing decision would result in possibly winning a prestigious …

What do a girl from New Mexico, a boy from Kansas and a girl from Germany all have in common? These three teens from various Boys & Girls Clubs across the world have all received the opportunity of a lifetime – four-year, full tuition scholarships from Marquette University. Marquette, located in Milwaukee, Wis., partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America last year to offer scholarships to Club teens who have been selected as Youth of the Year winners.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor bestowed on …

Wednesday – Sept. 1. 2010
This fall, fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family will unite in cities across America to take a child back to school.
Research shows that children whose fathers/family take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, test scores and enjoy school more. Imagine the impact you have on your child’s life!
Milwaukee-Needs Fathers to take a child/children to school. Make your commitment today! Fathers continue to participate in parent –teacher conferences and volunteer …

By Mary Bell
President of the Wisconsin Education Association Council
The approach of each new school year is important and exciting for educators, as well as for students. This year, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) is looking forward to strengthening partnerships between educators and our communities. We know that students can achieve more when we’re all working together. You can be sure we’re committed to doing our part.
Our members – the teachers and education support professionals in your hometowns – are dedicated to improving public schools and education for students across …

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago plans to resign his position effective Oct. 1, 2010. He is slated to become the new chief executive officer for the Hispanic College Fund, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Santiago joined UWM in July 2004 as its seventh chancellor.
“I am proud of the work we have done to help make UWM an engine for economic growth in our region and to set the stage for the next 30 years of university advancement,” said Santiago. “This region clearly wants UWM to …

Riverside, Rufus King alumni held their inaugural Flag Football Game event to honor graduates last weekend on July 24. Pictured above are members of the Riverside team. The game was modeled after the North and Lincoln high school alumni basketball game, which has been a community staple for more than 35 years. (Photo by Robert A. Bell)

Ruben Hernandez, (standing) and Reuben K. Harpole helped to celebrate 13 African American teachers at a luncheon, many of whom go back to the 1930’s who were the first of several groups of educators that will be honored once a month with a luncheon. The inaugural luncheon was held last weekend on July 17, at Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. This event and the others to follow is sponsored by the Historic African American Teachers (HAAT) of MPS. Hernandez’s deceased wife, Kathryn was a MPS Spanish interpreter for years …

By Kathy Quirk
Visiting professors are common at universities, but the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee has six visiting “professors-to-be” on campus this summer.
UWM’s Diversity Scholars Program, as the name implies, is designed to diversify summer faculty and course offerings by giving graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to teach and conduct research. And, adds Johannes Britz, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, the university also hopes to eventually recruit some of the scholars from the summer program to the UWM faculty.
The six current Diversity Scholars were selected from more …

Of the 482 teachers who received layoff notices in June, a total of 89 teachers will now be called back, due to factors including identification of additional funding sources and the late resignations of other staff members. The callbacks will come as welcome news to district educators, some of whom received their notices at the beginning of the summer break from classrooms in MPS, immediately after the passage of a new district budget that laid off teachers for the first time in almost 30 years.
“The teachers may have been on …

Ald. Joe Davis, Sr. and Alderman Nik Kovac attended a special signing ceremony on July 6, 2010 for an agreement for educational and scientific cooperation between the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and the University of Zululand (located north of Durban , South Africa on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast).
UWM Provost Johannes Britz and a representative of the South African Consul General’s Office in Chicago signed the agreement in the Regents Room (room 211) in Chapman Hall, 2310 E. Hartford Ave.
The agreement was spawned during a Milwaukee delegation’s visit to South Africa …