WASHINGTON, DC, USA
100CAMERAS X DC PREP
MADE POSSIBLE BY FRAMEBRIDGE
100cameras X DC Prep is a part of a 8 class course that is custom designed by 100cameras to equip passionate creatives with the tools to empower youth in a community they care about with the opportunity to learn how to process their stories and create change. Pictured here are 100cameras students during the course. This program was made possible by Framebridge.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
100cameras X DC Prep took place in Washington D.C. USA in partnership with DC Prep, a pre-k through eighth grade school that seeks to bridge the educational divide by increasing the number of students from underserved communities with the academic preparation and personal character to succeed in competitive high schools and colleges.
DC Prep deeply believes that partnerships between all stakeholders are necessary to thrive, and they thoughtfully partner with students, families, staff, and the community to work together.
“Washington, D.C is a complex city. There is a hard contrast within the city. Ward 3 communities have many resources, whereas Ward 7 and 8 do not. The pandemic furthered the divide in the city. Our kids are truly amazing and we want to be sure that we do our best to make sure they have a positive school experience that sets them up for success long term. Part of that is exposure to different activities, like photography.” reflects Brooke Jones, Assistant Principal at DC Prep.
“It was wonderful to see students process the Range of Emotions lesson. So many students were persistent that a picture of an object could barely have emotion. As students engaged in the activity, their excitement around their realizations that objects could, in fact, show emotion was amazing! Moving on to the photo drill, students were so thoughtful around their picture taking. Taking pictures through the lens of emotion allowed students to think about how they were feeling and what they wanted to share with the world!”
For 20 years, the school has been helping kids succeed academically by ensuring more class time, targeted interventions, standards-based instruction, and conducting frequent assessments. In addition, they support youth in becoming self-aware, reflective, and engaged learners with a focus on creating a well-rounded experience to help build character, a sense of responsibility, and mindfulness of the community. Consistently working to prepare students for their future, the school helps prepare students for high school and beyond.
“One main purpose of this program is to provide an outlet for our students to express themselves creatively. Another purpose would be to bring awareness to the challenges they are currently facing day to day. Although here at DC Prep, we are making huge efforts to serve these particular wards academically, programs like this help us reach our students outside of the classrooms which can impact them in a way to feel more connected to their city because they will be a part of this needed advocacy. We believe that our students know what's best for the city they live in and the challenges they faced,” shared Jones.
“One of my students has been struggling academically in their other classes. She was feeling discouraged with both Math and Reading. She has shared she was feeling less confident and down on herself.
One day in photography, during a photo walk, I looked over and this student who had been down for about two weeks was laughing, smiling, and helping direct her peers using vocabulary from the curriculum. She was so invested in directing pictures and was so proud of her work products. We were able to celebrate her investment and motivation in photography, and little by little each day, that investment also transferred to her academic classes.
It was that moment on the photo walk where she realized she has a story and there are different parts and things change, but we can learn from our experiences (and photograph them) every day!”
MEET THE STUDENTS
“I want the world to know about me and my community is that don’t let other things bring you down…You should always say what you have to say and express your feelings. Because it will help you in life.
I think the world can learn to take pictures, to express your feelings. And if you don’t wanna say it, show the person, they might understand things that you’re talking about.”
ABOUT THE PROGRAM LEADER
Brooke Jones is an experienced leader in urban charter schools with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. Skilled in Public Speaking, Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, Curriculum Development, Data Analysis, and Student Development. Brooke holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) focused in Special Education and Teaching from George Mason University.
STUDENT IMAGE GALLERY
“It’s important for young people to tell their stories. I learned that I can be more artistic and have fun and meeting new things outside in the world.
I want the world to know about me is that I’m really a kind person that can help you out with anything. And my community is just great. We learn new things every single day, and we see the good in everything.”
Follow us on social media to see images from the field as captured by the 100cameras X DC Prep team and the student photographers. Thank you to Framebridge for making this program possible!