Recognizing a gap in minority male representation in enrichment classes at Woodbury Elementary, enriched math teacher Brittany Webb (SHHS '02) and sixth-grade teacher Lloyd Brooks (SHHS '06) collaborated to create the Rising Stars Enrichment Program.

The year-long program is designed to help a cohort of fifth-grade minority male students excel in higher level courses, with a particular focus on sixth-grade math standards.

The teachers added extra star power to the program by enlisting the help of four MAC Scholars from the High School: Malik Joseph, Will Clawson, Noah Jalango, and Isaiah Gatheright come to Woodbury every week to work alongside the boys in fun and engaging lessons that require critical thinking and problem solving.

Says Ms. Webb, "We've found that frontloading the concepts the students will be exposed to in class builds their confidence, which in turn helps them to take more risks, such as volunteering to answer more questions in class and taking on the role of a leader when working in small groups."