|
Meet Jordan Henry, 12th Grader
 Jordan Henry is excited to start his senior year at Delta Streets Academy, where he’s been a student since the 7th grade.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve matured spiritually and academically,” said Jordan. “When I started at DSA, I knew about God, but I didn’t know about repentance. Also, the grading scale has helped me improved my grades. It’s challenging but makes you satisfied in the end.”
Jordan said he will miss his teachers next year, especially his math teacher, Mr. McCray. Mischa McCray described Jordan, “He is a model DSA student when it comes to his attitude. One of my favorite memories about Jordan was during Algebra 2. About halfway through the year, it seemed to click that he needed to go home and study for his tests (something that my students claim to do, but rarely actually do). The improvement in his grades was immediate. He went from a D student to a B student and ended up having one of the highest grades in the classroom, not because of natural ability, but rather hard work. He's a joy to be around and teach in the classroom!”
Jordan also enjoys playing football for the Lions and wearing Coach Upshaw’s own number from high school - #98! Jordan said, “Football teaches me teamwork; your team has to have chemistry.” After graduation, Jordan plans to attend Mississippi Delta Community College before pursuing a degree in business and marketing.
|
|
|
Meet Gray Blocker, Director of Development
In 1939 L. Frank Baum’s fantasy novel, The Wizard of Oz, was produced as a musical fantasy film. If you have ever had the pleasure of seeing the movie, and you probably have since according to the U.S. Library of Congress it is the most seen film in movie history, then you surely remember some of its memorable characters: Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, Glinda, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Auntie Em. One character you probably know, but probably don’t know much about is the actual Wizard of Oz. I bet you don’t know his name without a quick online search and it is too long to type out here.
Just as the Wizard of Oz, the Great Oz is essential to the story and yet mysterious. This month we get to take a peek behind the curtain and learn more about Delta Street’s own mysterious and very essential staff member, Gray Blocker. Here are the results of our Q&A with Gray. We hope that you enjoy it and that it makes you as thankful to God for her as we are here at DSA.
Tell us about yourself. Where you are from, your family. I’m originally from Jackson MS, and I’ve  lived in Starkville, Kenya, and Arlington, TN before settling down in Greenwood in 2018. My husband Tyler and I have two daughters, Cora (5) and Amie (2.5), who keep us on our toes!
How did you get involved with Delta Streets Academy? What made you want to work with the school? What is your role and responsibilities? What is one of your favorite things about your job? I first heard about Delta Streets from my RUF Campus Pastor at Mississippi State, Brian Sorgenfrei, who told me about an incredible ministry in the Mississippi Delta. While we were living in Tennessee, T.Mac interviewed me for the job, but I told him that sadly I would never move to Greenwood (ha!) A few years later, the Lord thankfully had other plans for my little family.
My job title is Director of Development, which includes communicating with donors, producing content for weekly and monthly e-newsletters, and advancing the development of the school by creating financial stability. One of my main priorities is to regularly thank donors and keep our supporters involved in all the exciting happenings here at DSA. The hearts and minds of students are growing daily, and I love letting donors know how much their support makes an impact!
You have a unique role in that you interact with donors and staff as well as students and their families. What are the challenges in balancing those different relationships? What are the joys of being involved in all those ways? Getting to know the students here is one of the best aspects of my job. Every month I interview a new student to feature in the upcoming impact report, and it’s such an encouragement to hear how the Lord is using DSA and our teachers in their lives.
Knowing how many people in Greenwood and throughout the U.S. are financially supporting and praying for DSA, it can be a challenge to watch some students not try their best or not appreciate the dedicated and godly staff here. On the other hand, it’s incredibly powerful to hear a student describe how his heart, his education, and his future are radically different because of the environment at Delta Streets Academy. It’s humbling to know that the Lord is working in Greenwood with or without Delta Streets, but I’m grateful that He allows us to see some of that work in action.
What is a fond memory you have from working with donors, staff and students? One of my favorite memories was when I met a donor from Texas, heard about DSA in a podcast, decided to tour the school, and then gave the largest donation we’ve ever received! To hear how the Lord worked in his family’s heart to give so generously without knowing anyone involved at DSA was truly amazing.
I have also been encouraged when talking with people who’ve joined the Prayer Partner Program. Several participants have told me they pray for their students daily and one supporter even prays for every student and staff member at DSA by name!
If you could only share with someone about Delta Streets Academy in one sentence, what would you say? Delta Streets Academy is committed to educating and growing young men into godly leaders by sharing the gospel daily, instilling a sense of structure and discipline, and focusing on their character above their performance.
|
|
Three weeks in, and everyone is back in the routine with a few outliers! We have 95 students roaming the halls with 20 staff members (12 full-time and 8 part-time).
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to attend conferences on leadership, which solidified the two main themes we are focusing on this year: Discipline and Emotional Intelligence.
Discipline is a key component of our mission statement. If we are providing a Christ-centered, disciplined education, it gives the students and staff consistency, structure, and a safe environment to grow and learn. In our culture today, discipline can be seen as a negative word. If done inappropriately, it can be hurtful and not helpful. There have been times over the course of DSA's history where we have erred on the hurtful side. At DSA, consequences are a part of the discipline process. It can be hard sometimes to give consequences, but we have seen over the years that those consequences help bring change to a student’s behavior and attitude. The ultimate hope is that their heart is changed by the Holy Spirit, compelling them to pursue holiness.
Emotional Intelligence is a buzz word I heard at the first conference with the MAIS, and for the first time, I was able to put a word with a characteristic I desire for our staff. Show me a good teacher, and I will show you someone with high emotional intelligence. And the best thing about EI is that it can grow over time. If our teachers need high EI, our students need to be developing that skill as well. Throughout the year, we will offer different opportunities for our staff and students to learn and grow in this area.
When I go to these conferences, I look for specific ways to help make DSA better for our students and for Greenwood. I genuinely love the opportunity I have each day to lead DSA. I don't have to go to work, I get to go to work, and for that I am extremely thankful! Please pray for me and our board as we guide the staff and students in our mission at Delta Streets Academy.
|
|
|
DSA is now set up to receive donations through stock transfer!
Please email gblocker@deltastreetsacademy.org with any questions about transferring stock.
|
|
2012 Society
Join the 2012 Society, one of our most popular ways of giving, by donating $20 or more automatically each month from your bank account or credit card. To sign up, visit:
www.deltastreetsacademy.org/give
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
