Jaidah is not the oldest student we have at Fortress - that honor belongs to Ja’Nautyca who is a few months older than her - but she has been here the longest, and that’s a fact that Jaidah is very proud of. Jaidah is bright, energetic, bold, and a natural leader. Ms. Stacy sat down for a quick chat to learn more about this future world changer. (Stacy sat. While she answered questions, Jaidah bounced around, did cartwheels and headstands, and managed to paint someone’s nails between all the action.)

Ms. Stacy: So Jaidah, what do think is special about being the Fortress Kid who’s been here the longest?
Jaidah: It’s cool because Ms. Melissa has known me longer than anyone else.
MsS: That’s right! Ms. Melissa used to be your teacher. Do you remember preschool? What did you like about it?
J: It was fun. We got to play all the time.
MsS: Right. Do you still like Fortress?
J: Sometimes.
MsS: The other day when you got on the bus, you said to Ms Kim, “Just so you know, everybody on this bus hates Fortress.” What was that about?
J: I do hate it when y’all try to teach us boring stuff. But I really don’t REALLY hate it.
Ms S: I don’t think you’d keep coming if you really hated it.

MsS: So what DO you like about Fortress?
J: The only thing I like is Ms. Stacy.
MsS: (laughing) I know that’s not true. You barely even see me.
J: But you gave me candy one time, so….
MsS: As a 5th grader, what’s your favorite thing now?
J: I love helping in the younger kids’ classes.
MsS: What do you like about it?
J: {shrug}
MsS: Do you get to boss them around? I bet you like that.
J: It’s fun to play with the little kids, but I also just like helping.

MsS: If you could spend the day at Fortress doing anything, what would it be?
J: Stay on my phone.
MsS: What do you want to be when you grow up?
J: A makeup artist! Or a hair artist.
MsS: How would your best friends describe you?
J: Weird. Fun.
MsS: And how would you describe yourself?
J: Weird. Mean. But not mean. More tomboyish.
MsS: What do you want the world to know about Jaidah?
J: People been sayin’ I’m bad, but I’m not. Also, I had a fight with a boy and I WON.

Fortress Focus