Parkland High School hosted the Superintendent’s Institute on Wednesday for a program titled “Still I Rise – Elevating Black Girls in High School with Equity, Empowerment, and Emotional Success”.
TSI is a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) intervention that elevates Black girls in high school through social-emotional curricula, targeted mentorship and group support, and individualized interventions. The program fosters resilience, confidence, and personal growth in its participants to prepare them for success both in and out of school.
“Still I Rise” is named for a poem by Maya Angelou, a trailblazing poet and Winston-Salem resident who the program identifies as a key role model for young Black women. Karen Cuthrell, leader of TSI, says that Black girls in particular benefit from TSI’s combination of historic perspective and emotional awareness, which can help them find their voices.
“It’s an opportunity for young women to see themselves in history and embrace emotional intelligence as a tool for personal and academic empowerment,” Cuthrell said. “By exploring these domains through the lens of influential Black women, we are equipping students with the emotional skills necessary to rise above challenges and lead confidently.”
The session on Wednesday included history on figures like Angelou and Norma Corley, one of three students who integrated Easton Elementary School in 1958. Discussion topics ranged from identifying emotions in real time to understanding the brain chemistry that causes those emotions. One activity that resonated strongly with the girls had them design a mask that reflected how they believe the people in their lives see them.
Much of the session was dedicated to simple conversation and storytelling about how everyone was feeling. Communication is a key life skill in any professional field, as well as thriving in personal relationships, and practicing being open and honest in a group setting was good for the girls. It also just made them feel happier to be there.
“I came in feeling a little grouchy today,” said Senior Maddie Gallimore. “But sitting here with the rest of the girls, talking to Miss KK [Cuthrell] and talking about how I’m feeling, it makes the irritation go away.”
“Still I Rise” is one of many efforts in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to acknowledge the impact of emotional intelligence in education, as well as recognizing Women’s History Month. Through TSI’s work, the district continues to foster spaces for Black high school girls to feel empowered and be themselves.
“There was a lot of good conversation today,” said Sumiya Carter, a Parkland senior and a student ambassador who represents TSI. “I feel like it really showed how much value this program has for the girls.”