All of the Lights

Turn up the lights in here baby
Extra bright I want ya’ll to see this
Turn up the lights in here baby
You know what I need
Want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights.
-“All of the Lights” Kanye West


Greetings folks! The number one question I’ve been asked since I left Chicago is “why did you leave practicing law to teach?” There are many reasons I can give for why I decided to leave Chicago and teach at Miami Carol City Senior High, but I’ve done that post before (see What The Hell Am I Doing? 8/24/10).

Today’s post is to highlight some of the progress made since I arrived in August 2009. Teaching, even high achieving students, is stressful, physically, mentally, and emotionally draining, and often times thankless. At times it down right sucks. But when it came time for me to prepare a report for my administration on our progress and I saw our accomplishments on paper, it made me realize that the 10-12 hour days, the stress, the worrying, is all worth it. So below are the highlights of that report. Enjoy!

41st Annual Legislative Conference
On September 23-25, students from the Miami Gardens Junior Council attended the 41st Annual Legislative Council in Washington, D.C. The Junior Council is comprised of students from Miami Norland Senior High and Miami Carol City Senior High who participate in S.G.A.

On Friday 9/23 the students attended a session entitled “The High School Class of 2012” hosted by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. The panel featured Florida Memorial University President, Dr. Henry Lewis, III; United Teachers of Dade President, Karen Aronowitz; Florida International University’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Isaiah Thomas; and the Miami Gardens Junior Council Mayor and Vice-Mayor. This very important session was moderated by Rev. Al Sharpton. The discussion centered on the state of education and what awaits the high school graduating class of 2012.

The students had the wonderful opportunity to attend a reception in honor of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek where they had the opportunity to meet Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and a host of other prominent figures.

The students had an opportunity to see a few of the many sights the nation’s capital has to offer. The students were given an in-depth tour of the U.S. Capitol and met Rep John Lewis (D-GA) and Democratic Party Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

As a chaperone for the trip, I was pleased to see all of the compliments the students got. Everywhere we went heads turned to see who this group of well mannered [colored] and great looking students were and what our secret was. I was truly proud.

Class of 2012 Top 50
A list of the Top 50 students in the graduating class of 2012 was recently disseminated. I am pleased to announce that 14 of the Top 50 are in the magnet. The law magnet makes up less than 10% of school’s total population and 28% of the Top 50. It’s hard being a “Law Chief” but it sure does pay off!

The Word is Out!
On Thursday, 9/29 I had the pleasure of attending a meeting for Magnet Lead Teachers. It was an opportunity to get some tips on how to improve our magnet and an opportunity to see the improvement we’ve made since we’ve been under the I Choose Grant.

In 2009 the magnet received just 84 applications. In 2010 applications doubled to 165. In 2011, we received 225 applications (online only). Add the more than 50 paper applications we took in 2011 as well and we surpassed the combined 2009 and 2010 numbers. This upcoming season we’re looking to take in well over 300 applications.

Grisham Book Trial
Last year, our magnet program was selected by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Schools of Choice/I Choose Program to take part in a wonderful and innovative project. The project featured John Grisham’s book “Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer.” At the time, it was the only book the international best-selling author had written for a young adult audience. I and a team of some of our best faculty took the book and implemented it in the English/Language Arts curriculum in conjunction with the magnet curriculum.

On February 1st we conducted a mock trial based on the book. The facts were supplied by the students who read the book, the jurors from another teacher’s class, and the attorneys for the case, coached by myself and a good friend Attorney Adres Jackson, were students in the magnet. Attorney Scott Mager, a well respected attorney and motivational speaker, served as our judge for the trial. The trial was professionally filmed and broadcasted on the company’s website and will be going up on our website soon. http://www.meryshinguel.com/sme/index.html The trial was a success and something the students and I both look forwarding to doing again.

Dates to Remember
We have a slew of events planned for the upcoming school year, which we would love to invite you to and which you will be receiving more information about shortly.

Wednesday, 10/26 6:30 p.m.-Law Magnet Parent Night

Tuesday, 12/13-Thursday 12/15 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.-Law Magnet Winter Recruitment Fair

Tuesday, 2/7 and Wednesday 2/8 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. -Mock Trial

All dates are tentative and subject to change, however invitations and additional information is forthcoming.


For those of you who have come out to speak to my students, wished me well, provided materials, insight, advice, a contact, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to lean on THANK YOU! You’re just as much a part of this success. It can be overwhelming at times running a program with over 200 students, and no secretary, intern, or indentured servant. But thanks to many of you it happens. Thank you! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!