Eaton-Johnson Middle School, VGCC renew Partnership
Vance-Granville Community College and Eaton-Johnson Middle School in Henderson have formed a renewed partnership, building upon a tradition of collaboration to help prepare young students for higher education.
“At Eaton-Johnson, we’re not talking with our kids about whether or not they will graduate from high school,” said Dr. Larry Webb, the middle school’s principal. “Instead, we are expecting them to graduate from high school, and we’re talking to them about where they are going to college.” Webb wants his students to be aware of all kinds of higher education opportunities, including their hometown college, VGCC. The partnership between EJMS and VGCC is a special passion for the middle school’s lead counselor, Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley. She earned two degrees at Vance-Granville — early childhood education and associate in arts (college transfer) — before moving on to North Carolina Central University for a bachelor’s degree and three master’s degrees, and to North Carolina State University for a doctorate in education and counseling. At EJMS, all the faculty and staff have signs on their doors describing where each one went to college. Chavis-Lockley’s sign proudly informs all visitors to her office that she is an alumna of VGCC as well as the two universities. “I’ve noticed that over the years here at Eaton-Johnson, we have more kids talking about college,” Chavis-Lockley said. “That’s a positive sign!” Not only does Chavis-Lockley organize visits by her students to VGCC but she also developed a student “ambassador” program for her school, inspired by a similar student leadership program at the community college.
Webb pointed out that emphasizing college to middle school students is especially important today, because his students are being encouraged to take high school courses like Algebra I and English I before they enter the ninth grade. “If they are getting a head start on high school, they need to start thinking about college now, because that may impact the classes they take in high school,” Webb said. Students in middle school also are faced with the prospects of enrolling in an Early College High School program, offered by VGCC in partnership with local school systems. In addition, new pathways have been developed for students in traditional high schools to earn college credits, tuition-free. “We’re excited to continue developing our relationship with Eaton-Johnson,” said VGCC Dean of Business & Applied Technologies Angela Gardner-Ragland. “Students from Eaton-Johnson, like their counterparts at other middle schools, are welcome at VGCC anytime. It’s never too early for kids to start exploring their academic and career options.” Gardner-Ragland said she looked forward to exposing EJMS students to all of the college’s various programs, including offering hands-on demonstrations in technical fields, when possible.
Dr. Webb noted that the VGCC partnership aligns with his school’s motto, “Believe it – achieve it!” because it will encourage young students to believe in their own futures. “My own parents just wanted me to graduate from high school,” the principal recalled. “I had no idea that I could or should go to college until a high school teacher encouraged me. We have to change students’ outlook and expectations that they can go to college.”
Above: From left, VGCC Dean of Business & Applied Technologies Angela Gardner-Ragland, Eaton-Johnson Middle School Principal Dr. Larry Webb and counselor Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley pose in front of the middle school. (VGCC Photo)
