Eric Hooper, Principal of The Pathways School-Edgewood, graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)'s BFA/MA program in Teaching in 2001.  He went on to use his training in both art and education to enable students at Pathways to overcome emotional barriers, express themselves and re-engage in learning.  This fall, Mr. Hooper is featured on the MICA website on a page highlighting alumni who are using their creativity to empower others.  Besides conferring some well-deserved recognition on Mr. Hooper, the piece does a nice job describing Pathways' individualized, flexible approach to helping students reach their educational and life goals.  This approach is what allowed Mr. Hooper to use his artistic gifts as well as his educational training to reach students.  Read all about it by clicking here. 

The Fiesta 2012 edition of Prince George's Suite magazine contains an article entitled "Young Money" that features the in-school branch of the Transit Employees Federal Credit Union (TEFCU) at Crossland High School.  This in-school branch began as a partnership between Pathways and TEFCU in 2009 and was the first of its kind in the county.  Last year the program expanded to include students from Crossland High School as well as Pathways, and in April, 2012 it moved to a new location within the school near the cafeteria.  The re-opened in-school branch is described in the article  as a partnership between Prince George's County Public School System and TEFCU.  That partnership occurred because Pathways first partnered and pioneered the branch with TEFCU at the Pathways School-Crossland Re-Entry, just as we had worked with the Montgomery County Teachers Federal Credit Union (MCT) to open an in-school branch at Pathways-Edgewood in 2005.  The in-school branch's goals remain to teach and promote financial literacy and to train students in a potential career.  Now those goals have grown to include students from Crossland High School as well as Pathways and this is getting some deserved attention.  The Prince George's Suite is, according to the description on page 9 of the Fiesta edition, a "lifestyle magazine" published six times a year and direct mailed to homes and businesses of "high-income residents, business and civic leaders...in and around Prince George's County."

Pathways-Springville students and guests enjoy the Thanksgiving luncheon together.

The Thanksgiving Luncheon is an important tradition at Pathways, with each site holding their own and inviting students' families, friends and supporters, and Pathways administrators.  This year, Pathways-Springville had a noteworthy turnout, with 34 people sitting down to the festive meal in large part prepared by Springville staff.  Included in the guests were a former student and a Pathways Board member as well as 12 family and three Pathways administrators.  Pathways-Springville students and staff were thankful for the hospitality of the Northwood Presbyterian Church congregation, whose hall was the venue for the luncheon.  The students decorated and set the tables.  After the meal, one of the students read a poem and others performed a musical selection.  Everyone shared in a "circle of thanks", with heartfelt gratitude expressed for family and support received from school and community.