Pictured (L to R): Jim Smith, Amanda Gesing, and Katie Geise
Jim Smith introduced our speaker today, Amanda Gesing. Amanda is the 21st Century Grant Coordinator for Jamestown Public Schools. She is originally from Northern Kentucky and is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University.
Amanda has over 17 years of experience in youth development and school community collaboration. She began her career at Big Brother & Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati where she coordinated school based mentoring programs in 3 different states and 12 districts.
In 2007, Amanda began working for Chautauqua Striders. Over her 10 years at Striders, she oversaw youth mentoring programs, training and recruiting mentors and eventually became Director of Mentoring and Life Skills Education. More recently, she has transititioned to her new role at Jamestown Public Schools.
21st Century Community Learning Centers provide opportunities for academic enrichment, particularly for students attending low-performing schools; offer supplemental services such as youth development programs, after school activities, health and wellness education, and counseling; and help families of students served by the centers become more involved in their children’s education.
Jamestown Public Schools will receive $579,500 over a five-year period, yielding nearly $3 million dollars over the life of the grant for Jamestown Public Schools. The funds will be used by Jamestown Schools to provide supplemental services and enrichments for some 500 Jamestown elementary and middle school students.
Jamestown Public Schools relies on many community partners to ensure the success of this program. Partnerships allow us to bring in experts into the school day or after school programs.
JPS is looking to take the collaboration aspect up a notch. The district is looking at all the data to be more intentional to ensure referral of the right students to the right programs. Students face large hurdles in their lives and it is important to have all the key players in collaboration on the same page to make this program even more successful.
Thanks for a great presentation Amanda!