Champion of Change Brother Joe Kamis
Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why would the Superintendent of Catholic Schools be on a Student Success Network for tutoring for Cincinnati Public School students? The answer occurred over three years ago when Jeff Edmondson came to my office to tell me about Strive, this area wide effort to create a world-class education system where every child succeeds from birth through college or career training. The concept was so compelling and the mission fit so well into my own ministry that I could not say “no.”
Although my primary concern is Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, I also have a deep commitment to the community I live in, that is Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Residing in East Walnut Hills, I live in the rectory for St. Francis DeSales Parish, located next to Francis DeSales Elementary School and Purcell Marian High School. I am aware of what quality education can do for students and what schools can do for a neighborhood and indeed for our cities.
Yet, in order for schools to succeed, there has to be a total support system that ensures that our students are prepared for school, are supported in school, succeed academically, enroll in college and finally graduate and enter a career. In this manner we will have successful students, productive citizens and thriving cities.
I not only joined Strive, but also became a member of the Steering Committee, the Executive Committee and have an assistant from the School Office on the Operations Committee. Encouraged by the Strive staff I became the executive committee sponsor for the Tutoring Student Success Network.
In going to the Network meetings, I found myself being a part of something much bigger than my world of Catholic education. I became involved with the business community, the political community, charitable and social service organizations along with colleges and universities all desiring the same thing – a better community where our students receive all the support they need to succeed from birth to a career. Wow, now that’s exciting! The energy and enthusiasm that exists around the table for this effort to succeed is none other than awesome.
Over the past six months, in meeting with the Tutoring Student Success Network, I saw that same energy among the organizations involved including the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, General Electric, Cincinnati Public Schools, the University of Cincinnati, the Hamilton County Public Library, Project GRAD, the Literacy Network, Sylvan Learning Center, GEARUP, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Whiz Kids and Families Forward and others. All of these entities at the same table working for a common purpose united us for the good of the children we serve. With commitments from these Strive partners, as well as the many businesses, social and educational institutions that represent our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati communities, I firmly believe that Strive will fulfill its mission of providing a world class education for our children.