|
In the news
By Douglas Watson
Managing Editor
View the resolution
Donna D. Blevins, the Greeneville woman who founded the Be Smart Kids Learning
System, on Thursday receiving a copy of a legislative resolution commending
her for "enhancing education opportunities for the children of the state, nation
and the world."
A copy of House Resolution 384 passed this spring was presented to Blevins by
state Rep. Eddie Yokley, D-11th, of Greene county during a luncheon meeting
of the Kiwanis Club of Greeneville. The resolution was Sponsored by Yokley and
state Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville.
Reading from the resolution, Yokley said, "Donna Blevins believed that 'if America's
children are going to compete in the world market, we are going to have to do
a better job with education,' and began working on her home computer in 1991
to create a unique educational program to combine proven teaching methods and
computer-aided technology to stimulate the human brain (among young children)
when learning capabilities are optimal."
The resolution said that after its 1998 incorporation, Be Smart Kids, Inc.,
whose headquarters is in Greeneville "began licensing use of the system and
training teachers for on-site learning centers at day-care facilities, preschools,
Head Start programs and elementary schools."
The Resolution continued, "The home edition of the electronic learning system
was introduced in 2001. Today the Be Smart Kids Learning System is in use in
homes worldwide, including the home of CNN host Larry King, enabling parents
to harness the computer to develop their own children's love for learning..."
Blevins later said that Be Smart Kids is being used to teach thousands of children
in 35 Tennessee counties as well as in programs in Texas, New York, Georgia
and Kentucky.
Blevins thanked a number of people who have helped her over the years in developing
of Be Smart Kids.
West Pines Program
Blevins and Jancie Painter, a leader of Kids Can, Inc., thanked the Kiwanis
Club for having provided $1,800 to fund a special educational program for 20
"high-risk" children --10 in Head Start and 10 in kindergarten -- at West Pines
Elementary School.
Kids Can is a non-profit organization that reaches out to local at-risk children
with hopes of boosting their education in early school years.
Painter said the program has received praise for the positive impact it has
had on those 20 youngsters, who each received individualized tutoring a half-hour
a week, using "Be Smart Kids" methodology.
Painter reported on some dramatic improvements both in reading and attitude
among many of the children who received such tutoring.
She said it is hoped that the programs will be continued in the coming school
year, but that this depends on obtaining needed funding.
Blevins said, especially during an election year, "Many people talk the talk
of education, but not all will walk the walk. Jancie, with Kids Can, is one
of those who has proven that she can walk the walk. Kiwanians can be proud of
their contribution" to the Kids Can program at West Pines Elementary School.
|
