‘If you believe it, they can achieve it:’ ANGRC Airmen on achievement strategy for at-risk youths

by Dan Polanosky
Air National Guard Safety Associate Director

2/25/2015 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air National Guard Risk Management Program Manager and Division Chief of Safety Analysis recently spoke to a regional group of faculty and staff at St. Leonard Elementary School in St. Leonard on an achievement strategy for young black men.

Maj. Jonathan Reid, who is an active volunteer in his community, delivered remarks about the achievement gap between young black males and other populations.

As a black male and father of five boys, Reid strongly believes in changing the way early education is approached for young black males.

Reid discussed statistics about black males and the current education system.

Black males are three times more likely to be expelled and more likely to drop out of high school before graduation according to research and statistics, said Reid. These numbers illustrate a complex problem that must be approached with varied solutions. The underlying strategy for addressing these challenges lies in advocacy and attitude among parents and educators.

"Sometimes teachers will see a young man, and based solely upon appearance or posture or other superficial factors, assume the young man is not capable or is not interested in learning," Reid said. "In such cases, otherwise high potential students may be written off erroneously due to a misperception."

Reid discussed possible solutions educators can take to act as an advocate.

Educators may need to evaluate the support structure of their students and be prepared to fill the role of advocate," said Reid. "Volatile family dynamics or well-intentioned caretakers who are not familiar with all of the educational programs and tools available may result in young students struggling to navigate the school system."

Reid shared first-hand stories about his sons' struggles in the public school system and how they each needed individualized learning to succeed. He was able to highlight examples of educators who demonstrated both positive and negative attitudes and advocacy in his sons' educational journeys. In both cases, the solutions were built upon attitude and advocacy.

If parents and teachers have a positive attitude and believe in a child's success, the child will be more apt to achieve, Reid said.

Reid's oldest son may be proof positive. Graduating high school last year, Reid's son is in his first year at Dartmouth planning to major in Film and Media Studies.

"If you believe it, they can achieve it," Reid emphasized to his audience of teachers.

Reid was recently honored by the Commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center with the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his contributions to local youth sports and after-school activity programs.

"We're lucky to have an impact player of his caliber on our team," said Col Edward Vaughan, director of Safety for the Air National Guard. "Jonathan is among the very best officers I've served with in my career. His combination of professionalism, caring for others, military bearing, and work ethic inspire me personally ... and as our national risk management process manager, he positively influences many hundreds of officers and airmen across the nation."

Reid is an active-duty Air Force officer who flew the Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft and Beechcraft T-34C Mentor aircraft before his staff tours. He spends his off-duty time as husband and father, coaching youth sports and participating in community events. A 1995 Electrical Engineering graduate of Princeton University, he played defensive back for the NCAA Division 1 FCS Tigers. In 1991, he won the Harland "Pink" Baker Award, and in 1994 he was honored as an All-Ivy-League selection as well as recipient of the Charles Caldwell Memorial Football Trophy.