The high school years can be a daunting time for students and parents. What is expected? Which tests should a student take – and when? What is a grade point average? What is a credit? What is a college portfolio? Why are they important if you wish to go to college? What if you don’t want to go to college, but wish to go to a trade school instead? What does a career path look like? Joyce A. Sessoms, founder of The ARK Educational Resource Center in Laurel, wrote a parent-student combo of books to assist families of students who will enter high school soon – or students already attending high school – to develop solid educational and career plans.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Sessoms signed copies of her books, “High School Grand Slam: An Educational GPS” at Barnes and Noble in Rehoboth Beach. She wrote a parent’s edition as well as a student’s edition. “I do not want any children to fall through the cracks,” Sessoms said at the book signing, “because then you have to deal with the outcomes of that. They turn to the streets; they turn to drugs. Over 70 percent of people in prison are drop-outs. If we don’t do something, that percentage will increase drastically.
Joyce Sessoms, founder of The ARK Educational Resource Center, appeared at Barnes & Noble in Rehoboth Beach for a book launch and signing of her duo of books, “High School Grand Slam: An Educational GPS” in both the student and parent editions. Photo by Rebecca Jones
“We have to get the information in them early so that they can realize, ‘Why was I created? What am I interested in?’” She said whatever the talent or ability, from painting, to working with one’s hands to become a mechanic, there are “so many possibilities. But we’ve got to sit the kids down, talk to them, find out what’s on their minds, and kind of help shape and mold them, and then guide them in the direction to help make that dream come true.”
Sessoms said she didn’t want to take away from the roles the school plays to help children develop a game plan for high school success. She said these books are designed to help parents, schools and students make the most out of a teen’s high school years. With topics covering tools to get organized, tracking sheets, goal planning, when to take certain standardized testing – and what to expect, resume writing, portfolio development, exploring college and career paths, these books are written to help a high school student, no matter which type of school they attend. Public, private, charter and homeschooling high schoolers can glean valuable information from these books.
The compact books – which can fit easily into a backpack – have quick resource guides, places for students to write their own thoughts and ideas, and covers all four years of high school. They are helpful for college bound, or career bound students. “Some people, when they graduate, go directly into their career – and there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Sessoms. “But, if you plan on being a college student, you have to do your work. This book suggests that you start doing your college searches right away. First you have to have an idea of what it is you want to do.”
She pointed out that although “The Seed” program allows a student to have a 2.5 GPA to receive funding for Delaware colleges, to receive scholarships at certain colleges, you may need to have a 3.0 GPA or higher. “So, if you don’t know that information in the beginning, and you compromise that GPA, you could have just shot yourself in the foot,” she said. “This guides the student. It’s so good. It gives you the terms you need to know.”
It’s a book that can stay with the student, as it’s separated into grades nine, 10, 11 and 12. “In my experience as a guidance counselor, I realized what they don’t know. Like, what is a credit? What is a GPA? Information is power. So, the more information we can give a student, the better.” She advises that the book should be bought for eighth grade students so they can get a head start in understanding what is expected of them, and walk into their high school equipped to understand better what is expected for them to succeed.
“Every adult that I speak to about this book say the same thing: ‘I wish I had this book when I was in school.’ It gives you tips to keep you on track. With the parent book, you can use this for more than one student,” Sessoms said. She added that the parent book has added information such as tips regarding how to deal with FASFA and school loans. It has a guide to help find scholarships. She also includes words of encouragement for parents.
“This system really encourages parents to get back to the drawing board, and help walk your child through the process,” said Sessoms. “Kids are my passion. And I see so many fall through the cracks, and it just breaks my heart because each person was created for a purpose. That purpose is supposed to bless the next person.”
Sessoms acquired an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science, a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Education. She and her husband Furman founded The ARK Educational Center, where they have poured their hearts into the lives of Laurel’s youth with their after-school tutoring program as well as mentoring groups for teen girls and boys. They hold a parent support group, and help young people find their groove through a sound engineering technology program.
She said she would love to see copies of “High School Grand Slam: An Educational GPS” in the hands of every high school student, and their parents. The parent and student editions can be found on Amazon, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble’s web-sites.
Physical, signed copies can be found at the Barnes and Noble store in Rehoboth Beach.
