At City Springs Elementary/Middle, students explore career and college options through various means, including visits from adults who discuss their careers.
Recently, Ego Nwodim, best known for her current work on "Saturday Night Live," visited City Springs Elementary/Middle School to share her journey, inspiring students to pursue their dreams.
Ego Nwodim and her brother, Dr. Emeka Nwodim, an orthopedic surgeon, spent the day with students from the school's Peer Mediation group, aiming to encourage them in their college and career pursuits.
"Each of you is talented in some way. Use your talent to get you to the position of where you want to be," Dr. Emeka Nwodim said as he explained how he played sports in school and eventually became a doctor. "I don't have to know you personally to know you have what it takes to be successful."
The siblings were invited to visit by Todd Wade, the Director of Restorative Practices at City Springs, who had been Ego Nwodim's high school teacher. Wade, the Peer Mediation group founder at City Springs, is now expanding the program to other charter schools operated by the Baltimore Curriculum Project.
As natives of Baltimore, the Nwodim siblings understood the challenges the students faced. Ego Nwodim expressed her belief in their potential.
"I think we're from an incredible place. I know it doesn't come without its challenges. I believe each of you has inside of you what it takes to make your own dreams and visions happen," Ego Nwodim said.
Both relate to the students working on conflict resolution within their school and community.
"When I was [the middle school student] age, I was very temperamental..." Dr. Emeka Nwodim said. "I would encourage [everyone], especially the young men in here, to find other ways to express your anger, frustrations, and desire to prove yourself."
The students were able to ask questions about the siblings' careers. Many of them asked about acting and movies. Ego Nwodim reassured them that having their entire future mapped out in middle school is unnecessary, saying, "It may be too soon to know exactly what you want to do for a career, but it's essential for you guys to explore and expand your horizons."
Ego Nwodim also shared valuable life skills that can be gained from improvisational theater and comedy. She taught a class to some sixth-grade students at Center Stage and provided improv strategies to staff members to enhance student engagement in the classroom.
The visit was greatly appreciated by staff and students. "She inspires others, she puts smiles on other people's faces," student Terrence Okoh said. After her visit, Ego Nwodim penned a note expressing how much she and her brother enjoyed interacting with "those amazing students!"
You can learn more about Ego Nwodim's visit in this WBAL story.
Read more about City School's progress HERE.