Dan Kimberg- Master of the To-Do List
What's your stance on to-do lists? Would you rather carefully note short-term goals, and mark them off with a flourish upon completion? Perhaps you would just rather get things done, believing the list to be an added burden to your workload?
Whatever the case, to-do lists can have magical results: at least in the case of Dan Kimberg. Monday evening, we discussed with this impressive changebroker the success that has been yielded by his enthusiasm- and it all began with a to-do list. In his sophomore year, Kimberg visited Carter Community School (a charter school behind Duke's East Campus), and this visit unknowingly forged a path for his future. As he ventured through the hallways of this establishment, legal pad in hand, he made note of educational possibilities: the absence of helpful things, and the presence of things not helpful. His determination and energy rendered this list of tasks accomplished after weeks of planning, negotiating, and connecting opportunity with actual change.
Such success did not end with this experience, as Kimberg continued to engage in innovative community service, going on to work with Break Through Collaborative in New Orleans. Through this opportunity, he sparked the ingenuity of a class of rising sixth graders. The keystone moment of his work with this group occurred as these students rewrote Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech. "I have a dream that one day, young old, teen or adult, I will solve the problem" is one example of the moving statements penned as a result of Kimberg's gift for seeing beauty in people.
These experiences have led Dan Kimberg to his current position: co-founder and Executive Director of Student U. This program is ingenious in its powerful ability to change education in a sustainable way. Student U connects high school and undergraduate students interested in teaching with Durham middle school students, resulting in a groundbreaking learning opportunity for all. These student teachers are offered a stipend and mentorship throughout their teaching experience with Student U; meanwhile, students are offered the chance to engage in learning that is student-centered and supportive. Classes range from the classics (math, English, science) to the requested (the Art of Cooking and Hip-Hop). The aim of Student U is to support the first class of students through high school and into college, and to continue to do the same for classes of the future.
Sustainable and excellent is this idea, and even more impressive is the energy that Dan Kimberg brings to it. Thanks to him for inspiring us, and raising the bar high for community engagement.
What was most striking to you about our time shared with Dan? What of his success and perspective would you like to apply to our collective work or your work as an individual?
Whatever the case, to-do lists can have magical results: at least in the case of Dan Kimberg. Monday evening, we discussed with this impressive changebroker the success that has been yielded by his enthusiasm- and it all began with a to-do list. In his sophomore year, Kimberg visited Carter Community School (a charter school behind Duke's East Campus), and this visit unknowingly forged a path for his future. As he ventured through the hallways of this establishment, legal pad in hand, he made note of educational possibilities: the absence of helpful things, and the presence of things not helpful. His determination and energy rendered this list of tasks accomplished after weeks of planning, negotiating, and connecting opportunity with actual change.
Such success did not end with this experience, as Kimberg continued to engage in innovative community service, going on to work with Break Through Collaborative in New Orleans. Through this opportunity, he sparked the ingenuity of a class of rising sixth graders. The keystone moment of his work with this group occurred as these students rewrote Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech. "I have a dream that one day, young old, teen or adult, I will solve the problem" is one example of the moving statements penned as a result of Kimberg's gift for seeing beauty in people.
These experiences have led Dan Kimberg to his current position: co-founder and Executive Director of Student U. This program is ingenious in its powerful ability to change education in a sustainable way. Student U connects high school and undergraduate students interested in teaching with Durham middle school students, resulting in a groundbreaking learning opportunity for all. These student teachers are offered a stipend and mentorship throughout their teaching experience with Student U; meanwhile, students are offered the chance to engage in learning that is student-centered and supportive. Classes range from the classics (math, English, science) to the requested (the Art of Cooking and Hip-Hop). The aim of Student U is to support the first class of students through high school and into college, and to continue to do the same for classes of the future.
Sustainable and excellent is this idea, and even more impressive is the energy that Dan Kimberg brings to it. Thanks to him for inspiring us, and raising the bar high for community engagement.
What was most striking to you about our time shared with Dan? What of his success and perspective would you like to apply to our collective work or your work as an individual?
posted by Erin at
11:14 AM
2 Comments:
Dan was great! Thanks again to Jes for bringing him to talk with us.
I was impressed with the way he inspired entrenched community leaders to get on board with his project. As he mentioned, building that kind of support requires, in part, a demonstration of follow through and commitment. For obvious reasons, I don't think our group will be able to make long term commitments to the local community - but I'm excited about enthusiastically doing good work during the time we do have.
Dan was very inspiring. I think what impressed me was how mission driven he was. Yes, I am sure Student U seems much more put together on this end than it must have been during its creation. However, it is amazing to me that a college kid (yes, I will call him a kid) was able to put something together like this.
So often, people go to school and expect to only receive knowledge rather than start making their contribution to society (I am certainly guilty of that). Dan seemed to think, "why can't I get started before I graduate?"
At the same time, he had a strong grasp of what he didn't know, and was careful to make his programs about the people he was helping rather than about his own glory. Just understanding that is this kind of program is possible and following through on it is so mature for someone his age, especially at a privileged school like Duke. Kudos to you, Dan K.
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