News Room
Jonsson School Receives SMU Luminary Award
January 27, 2012
Education is a powerful tool that can create long-term, sustainable change in a person, a family and a community. With this in mind, the Salesmanship Club’s J. Erik Jonsson Community School was one of three organizations honored last night by Southern Methodist University’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development. The third annual Luminary Awards were presented, and Sandy Nobles, Director of Education, accepted the award on behalf of the Jonsson School.
“We are deeply committed to changing the odds for children who statistically face sometimes overwhelming challenges. Our teachers are committed to understanding their students’ strengths and building deep relationships with each child and their family in order to maximize their potential.”
The Simmons School established the Luminary Award to recognize individuals and organizations that have invested large amounts of time and resources into education as a tool of empowerment. The other awardees were AVANCE, a organization that aids parents in becoming actively involved with their children's development, and Joan Ganz Cooney, founder of Sesame Street Workshop. SMU described all three organizations as having “received national attention for their creative and passionate thinking that has transformed the lives of children and their families through education.”
In concluding her remarks at last evening’s event, Nobles noted, “Every child has the potential to achieve, and every child should be given the opportunity to excel. We at the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers believe this, and we know that SMU believes it, along with AVANCE and Sesame Street. We are truly honored to be in such distinguished company and to have the privilege of accepting the Simmons Luminary Award.”
January 16, 2012
Minerva Holmes, a Parent Educator at Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, has been invited to join the Board of Directors of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Clinic in Dallas.The MLK Jr. Family Clinic provides accessible, affordable, primary and preventive medical and dental services to the uninsured and underserved regardless of ability to pay. Located in Fair Park, the clinic annually serves 7,000 people.
“I look forward to building bridges between the work of MLK Jr. Family Clinic and Salesmanship Club,” says Holmes.“I’m thrilled that the Board at the MLK Clinic cares about the “whole person” and wants to include a parent educator’s perspective as they plan for future growth.”
“What we want is the best of the best,” says MLK Jr. Family Clinic CEO Joyce Tapley.“Our goal is to provide high-quality services and excellent customer service.We also want to ensure that our Board consists of people who are passionate about meeting the needs of underserved populations.”
Holmes has spent 15 years working with kids and families, four of them at Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers.Her work in parent education focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship and sharing practical, research-based information that helps struggling parents approach their job with more insight and confidence. Fluently bilingual, Holmes’ work often brings her out into the community as she offers parent education classes at many local churches, schools and other non-profits.
“It’s about changing the odds for kids and families,” says Holmes.“Many of the families we work with at Salesmanship Club are facing multiple challenges: financial problems, health concerns or tension or violence in the family.I am thrilled to join the Board at MLK Jr. Family Clinic, as I’m a big believer in working together to strengthen our community.”
December 2, 2011
Page Keeley "Uncovering Student Ideas in Science" In this lecture, Page Keeley discussed methods for learning about students’ misconceptions in the classroom, specifically related to science, and how to teach effectively with these misconceptions in mind.
November 18, 2011
What Can Television Teach Us About Ethics? - The Sequel. This workshop built upon the popularity of a previous offering which utilized scenes from the HBO Series inTreatment to illustrate a number of critical, ethical, and clinical issues. The issues raised by these dramatizations were discussed and reflected upon by a panel as well as by participants.
November 4, 2011
If it's your job to develop the mind, shouldn't you know how the brain works? Kenneth Wesson
In this lecture from Kenneth Wesson, a renowned public speaker scholar, participants leaned how the human brain works, and how to put it at the centerpiece of all conversations about human learning and behavior.
October 28, 2001
Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience: Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
This seminar provided an introductory overview of self-compassion weaving lecture, meditation, scientific research, video presentations, small group exercises, and discussion.
September 29, 2011
Fred Lines, Salesmanship Club’s director of the Therapeutic After School and Summer Program, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Dallas After School Network, (DASN). DASN informs, trains, evaluates and supports organizations that provide afterschool programs to low-income youth in our community.They currently support more than 400 afterschool sites and nearly 30,000 students. Lines will serve a one-year term as a Member Representative on the Board.
“His job is to keep it real for the Board members,” said DASN Executive Director Tanya McDonald. “Our member representative traditionally speaks from the trenches about the challenges that providers face in delivering quality afterschool programs. That person helps the DASN board and staff to develop strategies to improve program quality for all children in our community.”
Lines has spent 25 years working with youth who have emotional and behavioral challenges. “The Salesmanship Club’s Therapeutic After School and Summer Program is unique in North Texas,” said Lines. “We’re a treatment program that takes place after school, so while not a traditional after-school program, we partner with other agencies to help all kids in areas such as self-control, communications, problem-solving and increasing respect for self and others. I am thrilled to join the DASN Board, as I’m a big believer in working together to strengthen kids, families and neighborhoods in our community.”
September 6, 2011 - Child Parent Relation Training. Parents of children from ages 3-10 learn about strengthening the parent-child relationship through play. Meets on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. for 12 weeks at Harry Hines campus: 9705 Harry Hines Boulevard. Information: 214-916-4047.
September 14, 2011 - “Fortaleza en la Familia” (Strong Families), Las clases en español se llevan a cabo los miércoles en el transcurso de 12 semanas, de las 6:00 a las 7:00 p. m. (Spanish language class meets on Wednesdays for 12 weeks from 6-7:00 p.m.) Harry Hines campus: 9705 Harry Hines Boulevard; Información /Information: 214-916-4032.
September 14, 2011 - Teen and Young Adult Parenting Classes. Learn about infant brain development, setting limits, proper nutrition and more. Meets on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. for 10 weeks at Harry Hines campus: 9705 Harry Hines Boulevard. Information: 214-916-4031.
September 14, 2011 - Early Childhood Parenting Classes. Learn about attachment, socialization, reinforcing child’s self-esteem, setting limits and more. Meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. for 10 weeks at Harry Hines campus: 9705 Harry Hines Boulevard. Information: 214-916-4031.
