By Powerful Schools (RVP sponsor)

RAINIER VALLEY – Jordan Vieira II, a second-grade student at John Muir Elementary, struggled to become inspired to write when he began the school year. However, with the help of his teacher, Claire DiJulio, and a Powerful Schools Writing Workshop, Jordan’s writing has flourished.

“I remember our first writing class, ‘Personal Narratives’ when Jordan struggled to ‘get his pen to do the talking,’ let alone generate ideas and simply make a list,” said DiJulio. “Now I see Jordan fully engaged during Writers Workshop putting his creativity and attention to detail into practice. He has always got one idea after the next and eager to share! It is so inspiring to see the confidence and skill he has gained throughout this year.”

During Writing Workshops, a Powerful Schools’ writing coach works with teachers to develop a rubric centered on getting students to create engaging, professional and publishable work.  The teachers then execute the rubric to the classroom.

Jordan is a student that has prospered under the lesson plan created and his attitude toward writing has completely changed. His most recent story is titled, “All About Pokemon,” which enthusiastically and intricately describes the game of Pokemon. He dedicated his final book of the school year to his cousin, Staci, for introducing him to Pokemon.

In addition to emerging as an exceptional writer, Jordan also enjoys math and is most proud of turning in his homework every day! Legos are one of Jordan’s favorite toys and he says he has a ton of them. A compassionate and eager elementary school student, Jordan most admires his parents and hopes to someday become an engineer or the president… or both!

Powerful Schools is an award winning non-profit that has been working to close the achievement gap by creating partnerships with local public schools for over 20 years.  Through literacy programs, arts and after-school classes, Powerful Schools’ works with more than 4,000 children and their families in 12 Seattle and South King County elementary schools and five CDSA preschools.

The “Powerful People” series is a way for Powerful Schools to highlight – through the Rainier Valley Post – some of the work its talented students, instructors and volunteers are accomplishing in the Rainier Valley.

A second grader at John Muir Elementary, Jordan has shown tremendous improvement in his writing since the beginning of the school year and is now writing engaging and publishable work. Photo/Powerful Schools