ACE Spectrum
ACE Spectrum
Ace Spectrum is about you — the ACE Learning Centers.
It’s a quick sharing of ideas, inspiration, opinions and best practices among our continuing education organizations.
Please join the conversation.
From an Awards Ceremony to Podcast Success, Graduate School, Fellowship Wins and Great Reporting, the KALW Audio Academy Keeps Succeeding
By Ben Trefny, News Director, KALW and Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Audio Academy Fellow ‘21
It’s been a little while, and I have some fun news to share!
First off, a few weeks ago, KALW staffers and trainees accepted an unprecedented eight awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California chapter. I had a front row seat, as I currently preside over the organization in a volunteer capacity (though every KALW award-winner was judged by a committee that didn’t include me). The ceremony (held virtually over video, of course) was a truly beautiful and inspiring event, celebrating the Bay Area’s talented and diverse journalists and organizations, with many moving speeches and tributes. If you have the chance, check out this video — and SPJ NorCal will share individual clips of the award winners soon!
More good news! My longtime colleague and friend Hana Baba, host of KALW’s Crosscurrents and a mentor in this year’s Audio Academy, just had her podcast The Stoop picked up by the Radiotopia network. This has been a longtime coming for a truly outstanding program co-hosted by Hana and former KALWer Leila Day. Very excited about the prospects for new audiences hearing this work — and if you haven’t heard it, give a listen right here!
And check this out! Heard from former summer trainee Kori Suzuki, and he’s been accepted to the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Also, our health reporter Angela Johnston and Audio Academy class of 2020 fellow Chris Egusa both received reporting fellowships from the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. We’ll be working with them on their features and include them in future blog posts.
We have a call-out for the next Audio Academy class. Here’s the link. Please spread the word!
And meanwhile, there are about two months left for our current class. They are knocking out the features, now.
Pills And Productivity: A Personal Perspective — Wren Farrell —
Substance abuse experts say there’s a strong connection between the stress of the pandemic and increased drug and alcohol use nationwide. In this story, we take a closer look at one of the personal stories behind the statistics.
So You’re Finally Eligible For A COVID-19 Vaccine. Now What? — Carla Esteves —
Starting April 15, any Californian 16 and up will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. But, being eligible and getting an appointment are two different things. So, what can you do to make the search easier?
What San Francisco Unified Board Meetings Reveal About School Reopening — Annelise Finney —
On April 12, the San Francisco Unified School District will welcome some of its youngest students back to the classroom. On April 26, some secondary students will return as well. The reopenings are a victory to some. But others say it isn’t soon or comprehensive enough.
Of Reddit And Rescue: The Memes That Helped Save Oakland’s Favorite Duck Couple — Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman —
Last fall, two ducks at Lake Merritt became a bit of a sensation. Through the worst parts of the pandemic, they inspired a community of Oaklanders to keep their heads up. But it turns out the ducks were in trouble of their own, and they almost didn’t make it.
Speaking of Azul, here are some thoughts he has to share about some other recent reporting he’s done:
Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Audio Academy ’21
I’m currently developing a story on Mother Brown’s Dining Room, a homeless resource center in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood. I grew up right next to Bayview, in neighboring Potrero Hill, but working on this story has allowed me to see my surrounding community with a fresh perspective. As I’ve conducted interviews with Mother Brown’s staff, I’ve been amazed at the stories they’ve told me. Stories of intergenerational traditions of compassion, fierce neighborhood pride, and the importance of having a good time while you do good work. Part of my work has been developing a “Bayview Beat”. I’ve been talking to change-makers and community leaders in the neighborhood. I’m excited to share what I have learned about this important neighborhood, but also incredibly thankful for how it has enriched my understanding of the city I call home.
It’s a Beginning, Not an Ending so Let Poetry Inspire and Tell Your Story
By Riley, ACE Poetry Contest Mascot and Alpha Public Schools Mascot, helped by Martha Sessums, even though Riley thinks he is getting better at keyboarding, but not really
Arf, arf. Riley here. April’s a beginning.
This has been a year of changes. Last April we were all in lockdown in California, stuck at home learning how to attend class online. Trying to learn at home with everyone around. No escaping brothers or sisters, mom or dad, grandparents, cousins or anyone else around the house. But still needing to learn and do homework and take tests.
A lot of that is changing in this current April. A new beginning. Some schools have started up again following all the mask and social distance rules, and we can see our friends in person. (My tail’s wagging with that news.) Many teachers and adults have been vaccinated and more and more are getting the jab. Plus, getting a vaccination is available to students 16 and older now. That’s worth barking about. Arf arf.
Hey, I’m a dog, as you know, but I still was given vaccinations for dog stuff. The big one was rabies, but I also got a combo called DHLPP, which stands for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza. Whew. But because I had my vaccines, I’m good for life.
Ah life. It was really hard this past year, but this April feels like a new beginning. And remember your teachers, counselors, principals (principals are your pal), and everyone else involved in your school are there for you. Many helped with special teaching support and counseling and are always there to help and encourage you.
This April is a beginning and poetry can help inspire. Probably much needed now. I know you’re learning about and reading poetry in class, but it’s great to write poetry too. It makes ya think and reflect. It can be a source of comfort, a way to better understand and an inspiration for this new April beginning.
Go for it. Write poems. Arf, arf, here’s mine, Riley’s doggerel.
Beginning
Even for a dog
The year has been tough
I lost my school place
Where I hung with my friends
Greeting them in the front office
Or in front of their class
Enjoying the attention
But giving it back
Then there was silence
Where is everyone?
They’re now all in boxes
Worse than a tight leash
I’m not good on Zoom ‘cause
I’d rather be outside zooming
Around the halls and classes
Getting pets, kisses and treats
Students had it bad
‘Cause they want the same
But they have more at risk
Their whole lives ahead
Yes, our teachers are heroes
And are there for us all
Their face always in the Zoom box
Never giving up on us at all
So here is new April and
We have a lot of hope
Schools openish, with restrictions
But at least it’s a start
A beginning toward the normal
With challenges all around
But we’re strong and starting again
And that’s hope in our hands
Or paws
Arf, arf. Stay strong. Stay hopeful. And treat yourself to a poem.
Poetry is Having an Amazing Moment, So Read, Write and Enjoy Poetry
By Riley, ACE Poetry Contest Mascot and Alpha Public Schools Mascot, helped by Martha Sessums, even though Riley is getting better at keyboarding
Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)
If I have been at the 2021 Presidential Inaugural and listened to Amanda Gorman recite her poem The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country, I would have been shouting out happy arfs arfs and running around in excited circles. What a great poem, but she has also had great success with her poetry book.
According to Martha, who reads this stuff, the first week The Hill We Climb poem book was available it sold nearly 215,000 copies of the 1.5 million copies printed by her publisher. That means that Amanda – a poet – is a best-selling author. It’s the first book of poetry to debut at No. 1 on several best seller lists, and the biggest week-one sales of any poetry book published. And she’s just 23 now – 22 when she recited the poem at the inauguration. Plus, her book has helped drive up sales for all books. In fact, book sales have skyrocketed over the same period in 2020, that not so lovely year.
So, Amanda has made history. As a poet. As a poet who has made a career writing poetry. As an inspiration for people to buy poetry and other books.
We’re doing a bark-out, as Max calls it, for Amanda. Arf, arf, arf. Bark, bark, bark. Meow, meow, meow. (Wow, Amanda even impressed Bodie, and that’s saying something ‘cause Bodie is a cat.)
She should also be an inspiration to the students writing poetry at the ACE Learning Center schools too. That poetry we write? It can take off like Amanda’s poem too. (Well, that’s a high bar. Something I’m not sure even I could jump over.) But poetry is getting more and more popular, and with the right situation could become popular. Here’s what Amanda said:
“I know that this best-seller spot comes from so many people deciding to bring my words into their lives,” Amanda told USA Today. “It makes me speechless to see poetry have such a ripple effect, and I’m excited to see more poets stand beside me on the best-seller list.”
Martha says it’s not just about selling books, but social media can be a good start with making a poem and poet popular. Try reciting your poem on Tic-Tok. Post it to your favorite social media site. Start a poetry squad that writes and shares their poetry. Write a poem for graduation and see if you can recite it for the ceremony – in-person or virtual.
As Len Loja, president of Penguin Young Readers, said, “(Amanda) is introducing the beauty and power of poetry to so many new readers. . . We are so proud and honored to be able to help share her words with readers, fans and future poets.”
The ACE Poetry Contest is just one way to enjoy poetry. Find poetry online. In books. At the library. Watch videos. Create poetry yourself. As Amanda says in her poem:
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it
Arf. Riley here. Thinking about writing my next poem.
Arf, arf. Be brave poets. Step out of the shade and into the poetry light. Write poems that come from your heart and your experiences. Treat yourself – and others – to a poem.
(I know you’re waiting for one of my poems, but I didn’t want to make Amanda’s poem look bad next to my doggerel poetry. Next post will have a poem by me, Riley.)