By Molly Goaley and TNCP Staff
Bryan Beverly, a 2006 Olivet College graduate, is passionate about his education. So much so, that he’s spent his entire career working to ensure others have the same opportunities he was given.
A lifelong Michigan resident, Beverly spent his K-12 years in the Lansing School District before earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology from Olivet.
His father is a former principal at Otto Middle School and a professor in the education department at Olivet College. His mother was a librarian for the State of Michigan who was adamant about keeping him involved in multiple extracurricular activities that enhanced his learning in school.
Beverly said, “Nearly all of their friends worked in the education field, as well, so the topic of schools was a constant conversation in my life.”
He stated that his schooling experience instilled the value of education in his classmates at an early age. At every level of his schooling through to high school, he was aware of the diversity of the student body. At that time, prior to schools of choice, Lansing’s schools had diversity in family income, ethnicity, religion, among other characteristics.
Beverly stated, “We were not just taught tolerance and acceptance, but practiced it every day in our classes and in all of our extracurricular activities. Since graduating from J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing, I’ve had many conversations with fellow alumni about the great cultural benefits we received from attending schools with such diversity. Each classmate found the experiences better prepared them for working in the real world.”
He also holds a master’s degree in higher, adult and lifelong education administration from Michigan State University (MSU) and is pursuing a doctorate in educational policy from MSU.
“I take pride in the quality of education I have received,” Beverly said. “And I’m passionate about providing similar treasured experiences to students in today’s urban schools.” For that reason, Beverly leaps at chances that allow him to make a true impact in the field. His most recent endeavor: was on Election Day, when he was voted to the Lansing Board of Education.
“I’m a product of the Lansing School District and now my daughter is attending pre-kindergarten in Lansing schools,” Beverly said. “I think we can improve the perception of the school district, which in turn will get more families to stay in Lansing.”
Beverly has been involved with local schools since graduating from Olivet. He currently serves as coordinator of the Fellowship for Instructional Leadership at MSU’s Office of K-12 Outreach. In addition, he is an adjunct instructor of Self & Community at Olivet College, and has partnered with the college on research that explores student perceptions of success factors and their correlation to retention.
“I spoke at Olivet College’s Multicultural Awards Celebration two years ago, and Dean Davis and President Corey approached me about the possibility of teaching,” Beverly said. “I was really happy about going back to Olivet. The strong connection with faculty members is something I personally benefited from.”
In fact, President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., and Dean and Provost Maria Davis, Ph.D., asked Beverly to team up with some of his former professors, as well as other college staff members, to create a systemized approach to ensuring student success.
Beverly believes the Lansing School Districts’ challenges are interconnected, as are the solutions to these challenges. His relationship that he has with higher education and working with college students has given him insight to what issues are most important to parents and incoming freshmen.
“We held a focus group on campus to talk to students about how they felt they were doing in class, what resources they know are available to them, and reasons they choose to stay or leave,” he said. “It’s easy for college students anywhere to slip through the cracks – we’re looking at what systems we can put in place to make sure we’re communicating with and reaching out to students who may be at risk.”
If anyone can speak to the benefits of an college education, it’s Beverly. “Attaining my bachelor’s degree at Olivet College allowed me great intellectual freedom,” he said. “I was able to take a myriad of courses in my major, study abroad in London, enhance my academic interests through internships in the governor’s office and a teaching assistant practicum, and blend my social science interests with several interdisciplinary courses.
His focus as a member of the Lansing Board of Education is centered on four key areas: student achievement, community collaboration, improving district perception, and financial stability.
“Lansing’s schools need district-wide alignment of instruction and supports for students. My professional experience is in strengthening instructional practices and building leadership capacity for improvement and I will advocate for greater support for students, teachers, and staff,” said Beverly.
Lansing’s schools are vital elements of the community, according to Beverly. He said he will advocate for stronger partnerships with parents and community stakeholders in bringing about successful student outcomes.
Working on improving district perception is also important. Lansing’s schools produce productive and innovative citizens. He stated that he will advocate for better messaging and promotion of the district’s success stories.
According to Beverly, in addition to the great diversity in the Lansing School District, he benefited from strong teachers who cared greatly about their students and their success.
“I took a wide array of courses from Trigonometry and Statistics to Drama, Electronic Music Composition, and Creative World History. My instructors paid attention to detail, both in the content they taught and my performance”, Beverly said. “Furthermore, I participated in both athletics and band, as well as, student government and community based organizations. Each of these elements made me a well-rounded student and prepared me for academic, social and professional success.”
“Lansing’s schools need to maintain fiscal responsibility,” said Beverly. “I will advocate for increased transparency, sensibility and accountability with regard to financial decisions for the district.
Beverly believes that effectively addressing each of these areas will have a positive influence on the other areas of focus. If the district does a better job of reaching out to parents and converting their concerns and ideas into solutions, he believes we will see an improvement in student achievement, which, in turn, will relate to an improved perception of our schools.
He added, “If we do a better job of reaching out to community partners we can potentially relieve some of the financial strain on the budget which can direct additional funds to the classroom which also will lead to increased student achievement. These elements are connected to the future success for the district as a whole.”
The purpose of the school board is to provide the community with a voice in the administration of its schools. The school board is ultimately the unit of responsibility and authority for policy at the local level as a delegate of the state. The school board has but one employee, the Superintendent of Lansing Schools and the school board is responsible for setting the policy direction by which the district is to follow.
Bryan Beverly, a 2006 Olivet College graduate, is passionate about his education. So much so, that he’s spent his entire career working to ensure others have the same opportunities he was given.
A lifelong Michigan resident, Beverly spent his K-12 years in the Lansing School District before earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology from Olivet.
His father is a former principal at Otto Middle School, which is now closed, and a professor in the education department at Olivet College. His mother was a librarian for the State of Michigan who was adamant about keeping him involved in multiple extracurricular activities that enhanced his learning in school.
Beverly said, “Nearly all of their friends worked in the education field, as well, so the topic of schools was a constant conversation in my life.”
He stated that his schooling experience instilled the value of education in his classmates at an early age. At every level of his schooling through to high school, he was aware of the diversity of the student body. At that time, prior to schools of choice, Lansing’s schools had diversity in family income, ethnicity, religion, among other characteristics.
Beverly stated, “We were not just taught tolerance and acceptance, but practiced it every day in our classes and in all of our extracurricular activities. Since graduating from J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing, I’ve had many conversations with fellow alumni about the great cultural benefits we received from attending schools with such diversity. Each classmate found the experiences better prepared them for working in the real world.”
He also holds a master’s degree in higher, adult and lifelong education administration from Michigan State University (MSU) and is pursuing a doctorate in educational policy from MSU.
“I take pride in the quality of education I have received,” Beverly said. “And I’m passionate about providing similar treasured experiences to students in today’s urban schools.” For that reason, Beverly leaps at chances that allow him to make a true impact in the field. His most recent endeavor: was on Election Day, when he was voted to the Lansing Board of Education.
“I’m a product of the Lansing School District and now my daughter is attending pre-kindergarten in Lansing schools,” Beverly said. “I think we can improve the perception of the school district, which in turn will get more families to stay in Lansing.”
Beverly has been involved with local schools since graduating from Olivet. He currently serves as coordinator of the Fellowship for Instructional Leadership at MSU’s Office of K-12 Outreach. In addition, he is an adjunct instructor of Self & Community at Olivet College, and has partnered with the college on research that explores student perceptions of success factors and their correlation to retention.
“I spoke at Olivet College’s Multicultural Awards Celebration two years ago, and Dean Davis and President Corey approached me about the possibility of teaching,” Beverly said. “I was really happy about going back to Olivet. The strong connection with faculty members is something I personally benefited from.”
In fact, President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., and Dean and Provost Maria Davis, Ph.D., asked Beverly to team up with some of his former professors, as well as other college staff members, to create a systemized approach to ensuring student success.
Beverly believes the Lansing School Districts’ challenges are interconnected, as are the solutions to these challenges. His relationship that he has with higher education and working with college students has given him insight to what issues are most important to parents and incoming freshmen.
“We held a focus group on campus to talk to students about how they felt they were doing in class, what resources they know are available to them, and reasons they choose to stay or leave,” he said. “It’s easy for college students anywhere to slip through the cracks – we’re looking at what systems we can put in place to make sure we’re communicating with and reaching out to students who may be at risk.”
If anyone can speak to the benefits of an college education, it’s Beverly. “Attaining my bachelor’s degree at Olivet College allowed me great intellectual freedom,” he said. “I was able to take a myriad of courses in my major, study abroad in London, enhance my academic interests through internships in the governor’s office and a teaching assistant practicum, and blend my social science interests with several interdisciplinary courses.
His focus as a member of the Lansing Board of Education is centered on four key areas: student achievement, community collaboration, improving district perception, and financial stability.
“Lansing’s schools need district-wide alignment of instruction and supports for students. My professional experience is in strengthening instructional practices and building leadership capacity for improvement and I will advocate for greater support for students, teachers, and staff,” said Beverly.
Lansing’s schools are vital elements of the community, according to Beverly. He said he will advocate for stronger partnerships with parents and community stakeholders in bringing about successful student outcomes.
Working on improving district perception is also important. Lansing’s schools produce productive and innovative citizens. He stated that he will advocate for better messaging and promotion of the district’s success stories.
According to Beverly, in addition to the great diversity in the Lansing School District, he benefited from strong teachers who cared greatly about their students and their success.
“I took a wide array of courses from Trigonometry and Statistics to Drama, Electronic Music Composition, and Creative World History. My instructors paid attention to detail, both in the content they taught and my performance”, Beverly said. “Furthermore, I participated in both athletics and band, as well as, student government and community based organizations. Each of these elements made me a well-rounded student and prepared me for academic, social and professional success.”
“Lansing’s schools need to maintain fiscal responsibility,” said Beverly. “I will advocate for increased transparency, sensibility and accountability with regard to financial decisions for the district.
Beverly believes that effectively addressing each of these areas will have a positive influence on the other areas of focus. If the district does a better job of reaching out to parents and converting their concerns and ideas into solutions, he believes we will see an improvement in student achievement, which, in turn, will relate to an improved perception of our schools.
He added, “If we do a better job of reaching out to community partners we can potentially relieve some of the financial strain on the budget which can direct additional funds to the classroom which also will lead to increased student achievement. These elements are connected to the future success for the district as a whole.”
The purpose of the school board is to provide the community with a voice in the administration of its schools. The school board is ultimately the unit of responsibility and authority for policy at the local level as a delegate of the state. The school board has but one employee, the Superintendent of Lansing Schools and the school board is responsible for setting the policy direction by which the district is to follow.
This edition was printed in the November 30, 2014 – December 13, 2014 edition.
