After School Matters in Action: Instructors

April 2012

Annie Warnick and Sara Covert, The Art of Skateboard at Sullivan High School, gallery37

Summary of Expertise:

Annie Warnick and Sara Covert are co-instructors for After School Matters gallery37 program “The Art of Skateboarding” at Sullivan High School. “The Art of Skateboarding” is a visual arts program in which Chicago teens explore their artistic abilities and study the styles of classic artists for inspiration as they create, assemble and design their own custom skateboard.

In her fifth year with After School Matters instructing “The Art of Skateboarding,” Annie created this unique class that combines two of her passions—extreme sports and fine art. An avid skateboarder, Annie enjoys the opportunity to perform physically spectacular skateboarding stunts while guiding Chicago teens as they explore and develop their talents through her program. Skateboarders dedicate endless hours to the craft, so it’s natural for them to want their equipment to express their own creative style.

Sara is a first-year instructor with After School Matters and a freelance illustrator.

Previously, she primarily worked with more conventional mediums, such as painting on canvas or wood. Sara enjoys being able to apply her traditional skills to a new medium through skateboard art. She finds her work with “The Art of Skateboarding” very rewarding and enjoys guiding teens as they explore their artist skills. You can see her artwork at www.saracovert.com.

(Pictured below- Left: Annie Warnick, Right: Sara Covert)

March 2012

Carol Ika President and Shakeena President-Beckford, Les Enfants Dance (LED), gallery37

Summary of Expertise:

Mother-daughter instructor duo, Carol and Shakeena, team up to bring a unique dance experience to Chicago teens through their After School Matters apprenticeship program — Les Enfants Dance (LED) at Hyde Park Academy. This program provides teens the opportunity to learn the art of dance-theater performance.

Shakeena (the daughter in the duo) was born on the island of St. Lucia and began dancing at the age of 4. She credits her mother, Carol, a former member of one of St. Lucia’s most famous dance duos, for her natural dance ability. Both mother and daughter have performed throughout the Caribbean and the United States. They are thrilled to now have the opportunity to work alongside each other to inspire Chicago teens to discover their potential and become stronger, more disciplined students, professionals and world citizens by exploring the connection between culture and performance.

February 2012

Russell Gilmer, sports37

Summary of Expertise:

With seven years of experience as an instructor for After School Matters sports37 programs, Russell Gilmer has developed meaningful relationships with hundreds of the Chicago teens who have participated in his programs over the years. Through the structure of his program, Russell not only teaches teens skills specific to sports officiating and recreational leadership, but also challenges them to develop important life skills they need to build a strong foundation for their future, including teamwork, communication, discipline, leadership, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Following their participation in Russell’s After School Matters program, many of his teens use the skills they have gained to secure summer jobs as recreation leaders for the Chicago Park District, where they serve as mentors for other youth and pass along to them the tools they to succeed both on and off the court.