ABSTRACT
More and more celebrities are lending their name and their influence to the cause of education and learning in America. The celebrity urge to lend a hand can be an extremely beneficial tool in getting children excited about learning. Working with Academica's Fernando Zulueta, Armando started the Sports Leadership and Management (SLAM) charter school in downtown Miami. SLAM uses sports themes as an innovate learning tool throughout its curriculum. We need to be more and more intentional about using these trusted voices to get America excited about learning. People listen to entertainers, athletes, and celebrities. We must also be creative. Positive, upbeat messaging; slick ad campaigns; friendly, competitive learning challenges—all these things push us toward the upbeat learning culture we need. We must work to channel these celebrities' desire to make a difference into positive messages extolling the virtues of creating personal and national pride around learning.
