My Educational Creed:
All students can experience success when given the right opportunities, with the right support, in the right environment...
I have been an educator for over fifteen years and have worked at the elementary, middle and high school levels. All students can succeed! As a school counselor, I understand how important it is to work as a team to meet student needs.
School Improvement Teams and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) help to make this happen. I remove the obstacles that keep students and their families from thriving. I especially enjoy building relationships between the school, families and the community.
Achievement gaps close. Graduation rates improve. And the number of students prepared for Postsecondary Opportunities are increased.
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I have had the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience at some great educational conferences and events.
NCCEP/GEAR UP (National Council of Community And Educational Partnerships/Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) National Conference
North Carolina School Counselors Association Conference
North Carolina Association of Supervision & Curriculum Development Conference
North Carolina Association of School Administrators Conference
North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants Conference
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The 4 T's To Success...
This keynote presentation helps students connect the dots and encourages them to work toward their goals! I show them how to manage their Time, develop their Talents, identify their Treasure and choose their Team!
Remember Your Why!
McNair Foundation Jumpstart
(Rising 9th Grade)
Graduation
Isothermal Community College
Get On The Bus!
This workshop is for school staff. We empower educators to take back their teaching time by creating connections with students and their families. This experience will have parents contacting the school thanking them for keeping them informed!
Who Am I?
This workshop takes students through a series of questions on an interest inventory to discover their skills and interests. Students are excited to see how they can use what they're good at in life after high school!
Mentoring Groups?
This mentoring resource focuses on Social-Emotional Learning which helps with discipline and improves academic performance. The group cohesion, interaction, and accountability build connections and empower students through relationships and leadership opportunities.
What Others Say
Whether it's working with a struggling student, making a community contact or simply being there, Mr. Cherry's desire for students to be successful is evident in his words and actions. Mr. Cherry's Guide for Success is another example of his wisdom and passion for student success. Through real world experience, Mr. Cherry has provided a blueprint for students and families to utilize in guiding the winding road of high school. Mr. Cherry will not leave any stone unturned in his pursuit of excellence for the students, schools, and communities that he serves. As a high school student, or parent of a potential high-schooler, "Beyond The Books: A 9th Grader's Guide to High School Success", is a must-read.
Dr. Stephen Fisher
Superintendent
Cleveland County Schools
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Juan and I met through GEAR UP North Carolina in 2011. I attended his session during a conference and knew immediately that we wanted him to speak at our mentor retreat to a group of 100+ mentors who work with our high school students. His keynote was such a success with our mentors that we brought him back to speak to graduates of our JumpStart (middle to high school transition program). He has been our JumpStart graduation speaker since then. We have also had Juan do our opening keynote for our senior College and Career 101 Conference for at least 5 years. Juan is an insightful, motivational speaker that catches and then keeps our student’s attention with his high energy delivery of relevant messages.
Monica Lee
Executive Director
Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation