Our speaker this week was Jamaal Camah, the Principal at the New Liberty Innovation School. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Camah moved to Massachusetts, where he attended Salem High School. He admitted that he was not always doing the best of things in Brooklyn, and his initial voyage to Salem through Boston. He visited Salem originally for the summer, but his parents decided that he would stay in New England and not return to New York. Mr. Camah explained what it was like growing up Salem as a transplant and how he connected to others in the community through education, as well as a little bit of basketball. He later received a basketball scholarship to Providence College and the University of New Haven, home of the greatest pizza on Earth (and that is not up for debate). Mr. Camah also earned a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education at Cambridge College.

Mr. Camah also described his family's background in Liberia where they owned a rubber tree farm and were associated with Firestone. He did not know his father at first, but his grandfather was able to track his father down and encourage the family to reconnect in Brooklyn. He sees education and learning as about curiosity more than grades. While in college, Mr. Camah travelled to Taiwan where he was called "Master Jamaal" because culture in Taiwan regards educators in the highest regard. He travelled to the Caribbean after a hurricane as well where he vividly recalls schools being open despite the school being a wreckage. These experiences drove Mr. Camah towards teaching and he signed up as a subsitute teacher in Lynn. The principal encouraged him to apply for a fulltime job despite his lack of credentials. Despite opportunities in basketball, he jumped at the opportunity to become a fulltime teacher.  

Currently, Mr. Camah is entering his 18th year in urban education. He is passionate about the mentorship of students, social justice, and advancing marginalized people and communities. His personal belief is that the most skilled educators possess the ability to unlock students’ truest potential and enable them to shine their talents for all to see. He is committed to leading a school community that emphasizes and focuses on student-centered learning, self-advocacy, student agency, equity, and inclusion. At the New Liberty Innovation School, they encourage real world expertise as opposed to traditional methods and pedagogy. He has students focus on being goal orientated and focusing on post graduate life. New Liberty Innovation School started as a charter school over a decade ago before becoming an innovation school and moving to its current location in the mall. It is a high school that focuses on overage and under-credited students and students who need a smaller setting than they will find at Salem High School. The school's capacity is at 65 students but they prefer to have a smaller enrollment. 

ROTARIANS DO SOME GIFT WRAPPING

• John Fischer had only on thing to say: Go Army, Beat Navy
• Mike McLaughlin celebrated his mother's 90th birthday, which was held in the library at the Hawthorne Hotel where he discovered even more Salem connections and Rotary connections. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

DCF Holiday Party

December 9

Kernwood Country Club

 

Our annual DCF Holiday Party supporting foster kids and families in our area is rapidly approaching this Saturday at the Kernwood.

 

There are many ways to contribute:

 

Gift-wrapping, party setup, party help, and cleanup.

 

1. Gift-wrapping has been done and you missed out!

 

2. Party Setup: Saturday meet @9:00AM at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Danvers

 

Calling folks with trucks or SUVs - we'll be moving presents and party supplies from the church in Danvers to the Kernwood. Carla King from DCF will meet us there, and once we have packed up what is at the church we will follow her to her house to get the bins she stores at her house too!

 

3. Party Setup at Kernwood: Saturday from 10AM-12PM at the Kernwood

 

If you can't help move items to the Kernwood you can still help getting everything organized inside the Kernwood for the kids. Decorations, craft tables, Santa's corner, and much more needs to be in place before the party begins at 1:00PM.

 

4.  Party Help: Saturday from 1PM-3PM at the Kernwood

 

What is more fun than watching kids delight in the holiday season? Helping them at craft tables, keeping a semblance of order, and helping with whatever the guests and organizers might need! Being there to watch Santa roll in is a hilight if you haven't yet experienced it (and if you're lucky there may be an extra slice of pizza or ice cream for you).

 

NOTE: A run to Market Basket at 12:30PM for pizza and 1:30PM for ice cream are available party errands currently un-assigned.

 

5. Party Cleanup: Saturday from 3PM-4PM at the Kernwood

 

Be one of the un-sung heroes of the party - come help us clean up and witness what a whirlwind of joy leaves in its wake.

 

Salem Rotary Party and Potluck

December 9, 2023

22Larchmont Road at 6 pm

 

A sign up sheet was passed around this week where Rotarians volunteered specific dishes. Definitely let Liz know if you plan on attending and what you plan on bringing with you.