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Towards Teamwork, Peace, and Trust
The Story of "I Have a Dream"®--Project 312
Photography inspired the mission of "I Have a Dream"®--Project 312 - to transform predominantly negative perceptions of urban minority youth, engage the thirty elementary school students with an eight-year, comprehensive program of tutoring, mentoring, enrichment, and family outreach through a unique collaboration with the national "I Have a Dream"® Foundation.
Nicholas Ehrmann hails originally from Indiana, double- majored in History and American Studies at Northwestern University. In June of 2000 (month/year) he joined Teach for America, a nonproft organzation that encourages recent outstanding college graduates of all academic majors to commit two years to teach in public schools in low-income communities across the country. This affiliation took Nicholas to Room 312 - a fourth grade classroom at Emery Elementary School in Washington, DC, in the fall of 2000.
The first few months of teaching were an incredibly challenging time filled with chaos, fights, insults, and tears. Ehrmann was painfully aware that such a negative environment would never inspire student achievement and growth. During the difficult autumn months, he realized that producing a classroom full of inspired learners would never occur until he found a way to connect with his students.
After only three of his students purchased school pictures, he began to take photographs in place of the costly service offered by the school. "Through my lens, I saw powerful, graceful, extraordinary children," Nicholas recalls, "not hopeless, hardened, incorrigible kids, as they are too often portrayed." When he showed the students these remarkable images of themselves, something magical started to happen: Room 312 began to smile. As Ehrmann improved as a teacher and bridges of trust grew stronger, fights, insults, and tears gave way to teamwork, peace and trust.
Nicholas was amazed at the difference he witnessed in the students' attitude and performance. He was encouraged and even more movitated to help his students. Inspired by such positive results, he decided to start a long-term scholarship program to further the success that Room 312 had begun. Most of the elements were already in place, all he needed was a Sponsor. Nicholas began putting the word out. He told friends and associates about his mission. In May of 2001, he was introduced to Chris White, a local "I Have a Dream"® Sponsor. Chris introduced Nicholas to "I Have a Dream"® and to Harry Nick, Bob Pincos and Laurence Siegel.
Impressed by Nicholas's drive, talent and tenacity to make a difference, Harry, Bob and Laurence joined him by becoming the Sponsors of his mammoth undertaking. An undertaking that promises to be a rewarding experience for Sponsors, Dreamers and their families, program staff/volunteers and the community. Nicholas will become the Project Coordinator of "I Have a Dream"®/Project 312 in September, 2002 after serving his two year teaching commitment.
The Board of Directors, Sponsors and Dreamers of the "I Have a Dream"® Foundation of Washington, DC have embraced the new Dreamers, Nicholas, Sponsors Harry, Bob and Laurence by making an official announcement of the newly formed project at their annual gala, hosted at the Russian Embassy on March 21, 2002. The local foundation is elated with its newest addition and looks forward to expanding and adopting more classes that will enrich the lives of more children. "I sincerely hope that these powerful images continue to inspire us to commit our energies, talents, and resources to benefit deserving students," said Ehrmann. "I Have a Dream"®--Project 312 officially kicked off on June 1, 2002.
Nicholas Ehrmann can be reached at nick@project312.org
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