The House on Mango Street, Gallery of Vignettes…

On April 26, 2023 Ms. Lynette Greene’s Reading One, Tests of Adult Basic Education, (TABE) class at Cleveland Job Corps Center (CJCC) presented a “Gallery of Vignettes”. The reading class completed the classic novel, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, a coming of age story about a young Mexican American girl that has disdain for her life of poverty and growing up female in a male dominated culture, told in the form of vignettes. Vignettes are short scenes from one’s life to paint a story

The reading student’s modeled Cisneros’ style of writing to write their own vignettes. The class begins with the project “What’s in a Name”, from the Simply Novel Program, developed by, the Serrato Corporation, was designed to guide students through the classic novels using history of the author, the character, chapters introductions, reading elements to get student’s engaged in reading. Trainee’s used various websites to research their name origin and the project ballooned into, “The Gallery of Vignettes”. Expressed Greene to Espada, delighted in her students vignettes and the heartfelt creativity by which they wrote.

Student’s shared personal stories that are from their lives, some of the titles include; Sunday Dinner, I Called her Mommy, On My Block, The Hood, Peace, Stupid Things and Little King, to name a few as the classroom walls were filled with many.

The Career Technical Training, Career Preparation Period, Academics classes and various departments were invited to stop in and read during and after the training day. The outcome was awesome! Ms. Laureano’s Career Transition Services department were the first to kick off the visit to the class. Ms. Ooten, Social Development Director, did a double take and brought over the entire first and second shift from her Social Development Department, just before their 3 p.m. brief in! Exclaims Greene with excitement.

The Administration building was led by our very own Center Director, Cathy Williams, followed by Safety and Security, Student Personnel Officer, Finance, and Business Community Liaison, Ms. Espada. The Wellness Department stopped by and gave their seal of approval on the project. Tears, cheers and new connections were made at our Cleveland Job Corps Center. A sense of community was felt throughout. Expresses Greene in awe. Respect and honor emerged from these heartfelt student vignettes. And allowed students and staff to see life through the life experiences of students vignettes from a different light and perspective. Espada observed; listening to feedback expressed from students and staff, as she walked down the halls of Education. And out on grounds that day.

The energy was so potent that other students offered to create their vignettes to be displayed in the recreation building! The support was so overwhelming that the reading students are looking forward to their next project. Thanks to the Simply Novel Program. The class is starting their next story. The Crucible. Announces Greene with delight.

The “Gallery of Vignettes” will be on display until May 19th, 2023. Concludes our very own Reading Instructor, Ms. Lynette Greene, here at our Cleveland Job Corps Center.  We have writers in the house. Talent abounds here at CJCC.