MEADOWS LIVINGSTONE SCHOOL

I am a recent graduate from Emerson college in Boston with a degree in Audio/Radio. During high school (Holy Names) I became involved in Youth Radio, a non-profit organization based out of Berkeley that teaches youth basic radio skills (commentary and news writing, PSA, DJing) and assists them in producing a weekly radio show on 89.3 KPFB (part of KPFA). During my four year involvement with the program I was part of the Youth Radio team that won the Edward R Murrow award for Broadcasting. All of these experiences and accomplishments were positive because I was always taught to believe in myself and to know who I am and who I would like to become since I was a child. The foundation for these fundamental beliefs were obtained and put into practice as soon as I began Gail’s school, Meadows-Livingstone. Since I was in Kindergarten, Gail let me think for myself, taught me it was ok to express myself and how to stand up for myself. Interpersonal communications between students as well as conflict resolution were concepts we dealt with on a daily basis at Meadows. I can remember the morning meetings we had everyday before school began. Everyone had their day to facilitate the meeting, we all sat in a circle and discussed our complaints, our appreciations and any news we wanted to share, for example a current event we wanted to discuss. School was a community, a small village where each student, kindergartener to sixth grader, served as a role model, teacher and leader. Gail taught us from a very early age to wear many hats and to learn how to be responsible for ones self as well as the larger community.

I attended Meadows-Livingstone Elementary School from 1985-1990.   I remember my first day at Meadows-Livingstone Elementary School.  I walked through the front door into a large living room and saw children of varying ages doing all types of interesting things.  Some read, some played with toys, some were being taught, but all were focused on an activity that truly interested them. Though I had previously been in an “alternative” school, Meadows-Livingstone struck me as immediately distinct.  Students seemed more like an extended family.  We grew and developed under the supervision of our elders.  Meadows-Livingstone truly allowed the “village” to raise the children. At Meadows-Livingstone I learned to value knowledge, community, heritage/history, diverse activities and experiences, and a sense of self.  Though I had some difficulties after elementary school, it was because no other institution upheld the standard previously set.  I have yet to find the same blend of mental, cultural, social, and physical challenges in an educational setting, even at Morehouse College. I will graduate with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Sociology from Morehouse this December.  I plan to seek a Master’s Degree in Social Psychology, but I will always thirst for new knowledge and experiences.  I also feel that assisting in the development of children and adolescents will always play a role in my life, and I hope that I can someday give back to the current students of Meadows-Livingstone. Peace!

It was not until Meadows-Livingstone school that my sense of sombidess became reinforced within an academic space. While attending the school I felt safe and comfortable, respected and celebrated, academically challenged and deeply valued. Gail and the community that she created made me feel important–that my blackness which had been distained at other schools was something to be valued and something to be deeply proud of.  Now, as a graduate student in African Diaspora Studies, I have no doubt that it was Meadows-Livingstone, coupled with my family support that made me love myself and black people. Gail gave me the academic tools and confidence that I needed in order to survive within oppressive spaces. I wonder what path I would have walked if I did not have the soft walls of Meadows Livingstone School to support me for six years.

We enrolled our son at MLS as he was starting 2nd grade, and it is the BEST decision we've ever made. We noticed that he was being pigeon-holed in our former school community. As the only Black child in his class, AND the only Black person in his immediate family, he was isolated. As soon as we joined the MLS community, our son began to thrive. Gail and his other teachers truly see him. He is cherished, nurtured and loved every single day. He loves school and would prefer that there was no such thing as a summer break. The fact that MLS is Afrocentric was what first drew us, and that is incredibly valuable to us. Still, Afrocentrism is only one part of what is special about the school. This school truly values holistic learning. The kids do WEEKLY yoga, swimming, tennis, art classes, drumming, dance, singing, group emotional work, and more. I've never seen a school with this much commitment to nurturing the whole child. We often talk about MLS as being a miracle for our son and for our family.

Meadows Livingstone School literally saved my children's lives. It is a safe, fun, Afrocentric, therapeutic environment where children are loved, cherished, challenged and supported to develop into their most powerful selves.

I remember the community atmosphere, the group meetings, the spelling pictures, the educational board games, the drumming lessons and timed math quizzes. Most of all, I remember the rap that a friend and wrote about the 1984 presidential election. Run Jesse Run! As 7 and 8 year olds, we were taught the importance of taking responsibility for not only our actions, but also for our education. At Meadows-Livingstone, children are not subject to the traditional confines of their given grade. This takes the boredom out of school and allows children to pursue their personal academic interests, thus creating a foundation of success that can be built upon in all of their future endeavors. I am proud to say that my fellow graduates and I have developed into self-motivated lifelong learners with an ingrained respect for both the world in which we live and more importantly, for ourselves. I have a BS in Finance and with a minor in English from Georgetown University. I do not currently anticipate returning to school, however, I do envision myself teaching at some point in my life. I would volunteer at the M-L school. I would also not only enroll my child at the M-L school, but also recommend it to others.

I attended the Meadows-Livingstone School from 1987 to 1991. Unlike many teachers, Gail made the learning experience fun and relevant. She taught me to be a responsible and independent student. These years laid the foundation for my future educational accomplishments. In 2002, I earned a BA in Applied Mathematics from UC Berkeley. Recently, I was blessed to get accepted into the UCSF School of Medicine. I plan to attend in the fall! For the past several years I have returned to the Meadows-Livingstone community as a Math teacher. One of the beautiful things I have realized from spending time in the school as an adult, is how much Gail instills pride and builds the self esteem of the children. It is the solid academics and the life skills that Gail and the other teachers provide that make Meadows-Livingstone such a unique and excellent school.