10 Things You Should Know About Kwame Simmons
The Detroit-bred innovator tackles education in urban areas.
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Closing the Digital Gap - At the intersection of education and innovation is where you're most likely to find Kwame Simmons. The groundbreaking BET Honors 2015 honoree is using integrated and pioneering technologies to help close the digital divide and revolutionize education nationwide. Keep reading to learn more about Simmons' inspiring career dedicated to transforming urban communities, one classroom at a time. — Patrice Peck(Photo: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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The Tough, the Grit, the Grind - Before he became the mastermind known for turning schools into success stories, Kwame Simmons was a young boy growing up in Detroit. (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)
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Drive Educator - As the Executive Innovation Officer for the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan, Simmons says he is driven by the desire to reach kids who have been dismissed and disregarded. His out-of-the-box approach to teaching includes a blended learning plan, which aims to expand children's knowledge through technology. Subsequently, a traditional classroom becomes what Simmons refers to as a "laboratory of learning." (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)
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A Newfound Passion - “What sparked my interest in education was building relationships with students. The ability to engage with young people sparked an interest in me that I never knew existed,” Simmons told BET.com "Being able to work with them through homework and through activities that they enjoyed just became something that was of great interest to me."(Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)
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Record of Success - Simmons also has a remarkable track record of success not only in the creation of innovative education, but in the implementation of it as well. In nearly three months, student performance at one Washington, D.C., school improved by at least a grade level, thanks to Simmons' blended learning approach. Student engagement also went through the roof.(Photo: BET)
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