JTM Academy's 1st Newsletter Blog
Greetings JTM Family,
As we transition the class to prepare for Local 250 Steamfitter and Pipefitter exam, I wanted to share with you a few updates and some of our accomplishments for 2021 so far.
Volunteer Project:
We have officially chosen to move the dates for when we build the H & M Community Garden to the first Saturday of each month. Our next session will be December 4, 2021. See you there. Thank you to the Los Angeles Urban League and SoCalGas for their sponsorship.
Mentoring:
Our mentoring program is now officially being led by our board member, former student and current SoCalGas employee Mr. Philip Hamilton. The mentoring program is focused on connecting our current students with seasoned mentors who have worked in either the trades or the utility sector and are passionate about sharing their experience with the next generation. The meetings are currently on Zoom, on the first Wednesday of each month from 5-6pm.
Student Highlights:
Since we re-started the class back on September 11, 2021, SoCalGas has hired 3 of our students with an additional one in the hiring queue. Carlos Beaver has recently just passed his training period, and both Oscar Mares and Ed Tellis have a start date of sometime in January of 2022. Another one of our remote students, Marlon “Richie” Grant, has successfully passed both the blue battery mechanical exam and the HPI personality exam and is looking forward to his interview for the Construction Tech position. Good luck gentleman!
Staff Highlights:
Allow me to introduce Dr. Taquan Stewart. Dr. Stewart is an author, coach and practitioner, joining us as our Director of Education. With an extensive background in physics, math and teacher prep, Dr. Stewart brings 30 years of experience working with students, teachers and parents in the K - 16 levels. He earned his BA in Physics, M.Ed in Education & Administrative
Policy Studies and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. In his role with JTM Academy, he will be responsible for overseeing our educational programs with an emphasis on expanding student growth, teacher preparedness and program efficiency. It is an honor to have him in community with us.
Academy Highlights:
We are very proud to announce that the James T Mitchell Pre-Apprentice Academy has recently been awarded our 501 (c)(3) federal tax exempt status (ID: 83-3407653). This officially categorizes us as a public charity and our donors can claim 100% of their contributions on their taxes under IRC Section 170. Special thanks to our Board President, Barak Bomani for tirelessly working to bring this to fruition.