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RE: [xmca] RE: The Social Creation of Inequality
Andy,
Please don't worry about calling me "Bremme." As it turns out, many of my students and colleagues call me that.
Longevity of the Fifth D:
Two key factors have been funding since 1994 from a local foundation (the BCM Foundation, formerly known as the B. C. McCabe Foundation) and my continuous involvement.
The money ($200k per year on average) goes mostly t pay th members of our BCM Scholars team, who get $7k per year in return for their contributions to our programs. But it also enables purchase of software, hardware, expenses for field trips, etc. One effect: I can demand a lot from them, and they consistently deliver for the kids. In addition, the funding means we bring a lot of resources to the Boys & Girls Club that they would otherwise not have. (They are perpetually short on money and staff.) On rare occasions when we've experienced tensions with the club over schedules, rules, and such, the resources have given us leverage to persuade club administrators to accommodate our preferences.
My involvement has been important in keeping the project going. Having someone to champion the program has been important: to write the grants, broker with the college and club,inspire and guide the students. I also think one of my main roles hs been Keeper of the Dream. That means standing up for the programs theoretically based design and operating principles when occasionally, the club staff, college, or sometimes even my students want to make choices that would move us away from those.
Over the years, continuity in leadership has also built the Foundation trustees' trust and confidence in me and (thus) in the program. To a more limited extent, my personal longevity has also won the confidence of some club staff.
This much is probably not surprising. But I think another very important factors has been our adaptability over time. We've kept the core principles of the Fifth Dimension as Mike and colleagues designed it-- but we've evolved with changing times and challenges in ways consistent with those principles. This of course has included changing the technology and activities, but it has also entailed fine tuning procedures and organizational structures in light of local contextual circumstances.
Finally, one of the things we've tried to do is build a strong team culture for our undergrads, most of whom remain with the program for several years. As new undergrads join us, the more experienced undergrad team members enculturate them in our collective values and practices, which has provided quality and continuity in ways of working with kids and working with peers on the team. It is the team of students who have constructed most of the adaptations I mentioned earlier. The team operates as a collective leadership group, which seems to build their investment in and commitment to the program and its underlying principles.
There's more tat could be added, but these seem to me the main factors.
Mike knows our site pretty well. He might have something to add.
But thanks for your interest, Andy!
Don
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Blunden [mailto:ablunden@mira.net]
Sent: Sun 7/24/2011 7:41 PM
To: Bremme Don
Cc: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
Subject: Re: [xmca] RE: The Social Creation of Inequality
We are all a big happy family here, Don.
Sorry about calling you "Bremme." You coming from the heart of Southern
California, I thought "Don" was your title. :)
What do you see as the key to the longevity of your 5thD project?
Andy
Bremme Don wrote:
> Greetings to you, Andy, and thanks for your nice words about 5thD organizers.
>
> I feel as though I met you long ago. I've had the advantage of reading with great interest, and learning a great deal from, your xmca postings. And thank you very much for those!
>
> Don
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu on behalf of Andy Blunden
> Sent: Sun 7/24/2011 9:40 AM
> To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
> Cc: Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition Internal List; Bud Mehan
> Subject: Re: [xmca] RE: The Social Creation of Inequality
>
> Nice to meet you Bremme. I follow with great interest the ingenuity of
> 5thD organisers in keeping their project alive and sustainable. You
> story deserves a great deal of reflection. Congratulations and no thanks
> to capitalism.
>
> Andy
>
> Bremme Don wrote:
>
>> Mike,
>>
>> Your summary and critique of the situation (UC classes, private tutoring job announcement) is right on, but deeply saddening.
>>
>> I wonder if events here at Whittier College might demonstrate a variation on the same dynamics your posting highlights? As you know, Whittier is a small (1500 enrollment), private liberal arts college, one with a small endowment, one challenged in the current economic environment. I've run a Fifth Dimension site here since 1993. Over the years, college personnel have routinely spoken about what a great thing the Fifth Dimension is: in line with Whittier's Quaker heritage and secular Quaker values, providing a valuable service to underserved kids in the community and valued educational experience for Whittier students. The President has cited it on numerous public occasions as illustrating "the Whittier way", e.g., in commencement addresses, convocations, and so on. The Fifth Dimension, however, has been supported solely through grants for a local foundation throughout its 18 years, grants developed solely by individual faculty and secured as a result of individual faculty relationships with the small, local foundation. Aside from minimal indirect costs (e.g., some small portion of my office phone bill), the college has contributed not a dime, directly or indirectly, to the program. In fact, the college administration has several times, when asked, declined to provide even very small amounts of support to help sustain the Fifth Dimension.
>>
>> Nevertheless, based upon the existence of the Fifth Dimension and one other faculty project funded exclusively by the same foundation, Whittier last year formally established the "Center for Engagement with Communities," advertising that it's purpose was to bring under one organizational roof and faculty/course outreach efforts and to promote the extension of such efforts. While this might be taken as instantiating institutional values, the center was created explicitly as a vehicle for capturing additional grants. The center exists only in name, on paper. The college has invested literally nothing in it. The local foundation's funding for Fifth Dimension and one other faculty project are simply said to be "under" the center. But the stated hope of college administrators and the advancement office is that, with money for service learning "out there," having "a center" will increase Whittier's credibility as an institution committed to community engagement and (thus) its competitiveness for further extramural grants. Thus, it seems that equality, social justice, (as well as educational value for undergraduates) take a back seat in a machine driven by dollars. Can it ever be otherwise in a capitalist society?
>>
>> Just some thoughts from a long-time Xmca lurker,
>>
>> Don Bremme
>> Professor, Department of Education and Child Development
>> Whittier College
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu on behalf of mike cole
>> Sent: Fri 7/22/2011 10:45 AM
>> To: eXtended Mind, Culture,Activity
>> Cc: Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition Internal List; Bud Mehan
>> Subject: [xmca] RE: The Social Creation of Inequality
>>
>> Dear Colleagues-
>> As you know, LCHC has a long time interest in the study of diversity and
>> inequality.
>> Current events appear to be revealing a lot about how inequalities are
>> created because the mechanisms lie on the surface in understandable chunks.
>>
>> The text below is an ad from a private tutoring company aimed at UCSD
>> students. These students have faced terrible increases in fees at our
>> once-public university. They really need money. And they will be terrific if
>> they take these jobs. I know, because when they engage in theory-practice
>> classes with me, they do a wonderful job
>> not only in being with the young people, but in learning to think critically
>> about the conditions that create the need for such tutoring in the first
>> place. For example, the areas of San Diego identified to tutoring are in
>> areas where people who have the resources to supplement local schooling on
>> their own live. They can pay for it. Not a matter for civic society- its
>> business.
>>
>> Meantime, the courses that I have taught for many years are dying at UCSD.
>> They are inefficient by the business model that brings in out of state
>> students at 35,000$ a year in place of local students who pay 12K+ and are
>> up for scholarships because that is a hardship. They are measurably
>> wonderful for a huge range of students. But except where mandated (as in
>> teacher ed), they are an endangered species.
>>
>> No need of weathermen here in beautiful san diego. Mild blue skys and a
>> gentle sea breeze.
>> mike
>> Tutoring in Your Home, LLC began in Columbus, Ohio, and is starting a branch
>> in San Diego. We are looking to hire qualified tutors for the areas of
>> Pacific Beach, University City, and La Jolla. Results in Ohio have shown
>> that motivated undergraduates have the best success with their pupils,
>> especially in the mathematics. If you know of any students at UCSD that
>> would be interested in picking up about 5-15 hours a week to tutor grades
>> K-College, please pass this email along to them. We aim to have at least six
>> tutors available to start the commencement of this school year. (See
>> specifics below in the ads that will soon be placed on Craigslist.)
>>
>> If you or they have any questions, please feel free to call me at
>> 614-506-8825 (c) or 858-550-4060 (h). I worked for Tutoring in Your Home
>> for a couple of years after completing my undergraduate degree and before
>> moving to San Diego. I can speak to their great reputation. I'm available
>> most days between 6:30 am and 9:30 pm. I'm also happy to meet any
>> prospective tutors at coffee shops or the like in the UTC / campus area.
>>
>> Resumes and (2) letters of recommendation can be sent to kerritiyh@gmail.com
>> .
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> -Kerri Fullam
>> Director, TIYH San Diego
>>
>>
>>
>> Following positions available:
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC, is currently searching for part-time tutors to
>> cover all subjects K-College in the La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University
>> City areas. Qualified candidates enjoy flexible scheduling, excellent pay,
>> and work with a supportive staff. Bachelor's degree preferred, though
>> outstanding undergraduate applicants will be considered. For more
>> information visit our website at www.tutoringinyourhome.com or call the area
>> director at 614-506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is currently looking for a Special Education
>> Tutor near La Jolla, Pacific Beach, or University City to fill an immediate
>> opening. Our tutors enjoy flexible scheduling, a supportive staff and very
>> competitive compensation. Please call (614)506-8825 if interested.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is currently looking for elementary math and
>> reading tutors in the La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University City areas.
>> Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's or higher and experience tutoring
>> math and/or reading. However, outstanding undergraduate applicants will be
>> considered. The candidate will be able to commit up to 6 hrs a week and up
>> to one year of service. We offer flexible scheduling and competitive pay.
>> Candidates may respond via email or by phone at (614) 506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is currently looking for an elementary math and
>> reading for the La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University City areas. The
>> ideal candidate will have at least a BA in Elementary Education, and
>> experience tutoring math and/or reading. The candidate will be able to
>> commit to 7-10 hours per week over the course of at least the upcoming
>> school year. Candidates may respond via email or by phone at (614)506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC, is currently searching for part-time tutors for
>> all subjects K-College in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University City.
>> Those interested in tutoring reading, math (K-12), and science are
>> especially encouraged to apply. Qualified candidates enjoy flexible
>> scheduling, excellent pay, and work with a supportive staff. Bachelor's
>> degree preferred and outstanding undergraduate applicants will be
>> considered. Tutoring experience preferred, though interested professionals
>> outside the field of education are encouraged to apply. For more information
>> visit our website at www.tutoringinyourhome.com or contact us at
>> (614)506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is looking for a math tutor in La Jolla, Pacific
>> Beach, and University City. Our tutors work the hours they have available
>> and are afforded excellent pay, flexible scheduling, and a rewarding
>> part-time career. Call (614)506-8825 or email kerritiyh@gmail.com for more
>> information.
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>>
>>
>>
>
>
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Andy Blunden*
Joint Editor MCA:
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=g932564744
Home Page: http://home.mira.net/~andy/
Book: http://www.brill.nl/default.aspx?partid=227&pid=34857
MIA: http://www.marxists.org
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