|
 From
the Executive Director,
Dr. Michael Bitz
Dear Friend:
The website may be new, but the Center for Educational Pathways has been working
hard since 2001 to help children and youth build core academic skills through
creativity and entrepreneurship.
The Comic Book
Project and
Youth Music Exchange represent not only cutting-edge curricula but over 100
years of ideas and theories from progressive educators like John Dewey,
Maxine Greene, and others. Our goal is to put those ideas into practice by
developing project-based, inquiry-based curricula for the students, teachers,
and communities who need it most. Our projects encourage teachers to become
instructional designers; students become dedicated leaders and empowered
critical thinkers.
If you believe, like me, that creative thinking and academic success are not
mutually exclusive and that student engagement is crucial to the learning
process, I hope that you will find the Center for Educational Pathways to be a
friend and resource. Teaching and learning are lifelong journeys, and I am glad
to be on the road with you.
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| Sincerely, |
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| Dr. Michael Bitz, EdD, Executive Director |
| BA, Columbia University |
| EdM and EdD, Teachers College, Columbia University |
Mission
The Center for Educational Pathways (CEP) is a nonprofit organization that
establishes alternative pathways to literacy, learning, and character
development for underserved youths, schools, and communities. CEP develops
curricula, professional development, and new media resources for student
populations most in need. By partnering with schools and community-based
organizations, CEP reconnects children to a love of learning through creativity,
inquiry, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. CEP has four separate but
closely related objectives.
1) Academic Reinforcement: Youths become better readers, writers,
mathematicians, and critical thinkers by engaging in intensive processes leading
to youth-generated products.
2) Social and Character Development: Youths develop social skills related
to conflict resolution, problem solving, and teamwork, along with enhanced
concepts of cultural tolerance and personal identity.
3) Career Pathways: Youths develop career skills by gaining experience in
new technologies, business acumen, and marketing strategies, as well as
participating in internships focused on job readiness.
4) Community Building: Youths positively impact their communities through
the distribution of youth-generated products and community-based performances.
Who We Are
Dr. Michael Bitz, Executive Director
Allison Rubin, Director of Operations
Patricia Ayala, Program Manager, Comic Book Project
Dr. Bill McKinney, Co-Director, Youth Music Exchange
Dan Jeselsohn, Audio Engineer
Fabian Leo, Marketing Associate
Publications
Manga
High: Literacy, Identity, and Coming of Age in an Urban High School by Michael Bitz
Click Here
to Order from Harvard Education Press
Since 2004, students at Martin Luther King, Jr., High School
in Manhattan have been creating manga—Japanese comic books. They write the
stories, design the characters, and publish their works in print and on the
Internet. These students—African-American and Latino teenagers—are more than
interested in the art and medium of manga. They have become completely engrossed
in Japanese language, culture, and society. Based on a four-year study,
Manga High explores the convergence of literacy, creativity, social
development, and personal identity in one of New York City’s largest high
schools. The text is highlighted by reproductions and content analysis of
students’ original art and writing.
When Commas Meet Kryptonite: Classroom Lessons from the Comic Book
Project by Michael Bitz
Click Here
to Order from Teachers College Press
This definitive book presents the newest research linking graphic narratives and literacy learning, as well as the tools teachers will need to make comic book projects a success in their classrooms. The Comic Book Project (www.comicbookproject.org) is an internationally celebrated initiative where children plan, write, design, and publish original graphic narratives in diverse media and formats. In one accessible resource, Bitz presents a comprehensive program that is just as fun for teachers as it is for students. Teachers will learn how to incorporate socially relevant materials and instruction into daily activities, how to differentiate instruction across the K–12 curriculum, and much more. This informative, hands-on book:
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Advances a creative approach to teaching core literacy skills, including narrative construction, spelling, publication, and assessment.
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Includes adaptable lesson plans and examples of professionally published and student-created comics.
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Details classroom applications and resources to help
teachers launch their own comic book clubs.
Support
The Center for Educational Pathways is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 tax
exempt status. If you would like to support the Center with a monetary or
in-kind donation, we would be more than happy to work with you. Please contact
the Executive Director, Dr. Michael Bitz, at
[email protected].
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