GPB Presents Re:Dream

People always mention the pursuit of the American dream. In the past this meant buying a house with a white picket fence, raising 2.78 children, and owning a dog. Americans strived to obtain these things because they were considered to be a sign of wealth, but many realized that acquiring them did not equate to contentment.

The reality is that dreams are as unique as the individuals who have them. For some, purchasing a house is top priority. Others prefer to live out of their suitcases and travel the world. As educators, it is our job to help students define their own American dream and determine what success means to them. A resource that will aid you is the Re:Dream project, a national project from KCPT in partnership with WETA, PBS SoCal, DPTV, and GPB about changing opportunities in the 21st century.

Re:Dream is an immersive, digital-first project that covers people living in America as they navigate opportunity, meet obstacles, and pursue happiness. GPB has contributed to this important venture by producing eight of forty videos that highlight various citizens working towards their goals.

Meet the Dreamers!

Will Johnston: After choosing a life that includes a close-knit community and little to no debt, Will began Tiny House Atlanta.

Dave Moody:  Dave set out to build his own company when his  employer went bankrupt. He now runs C.D. Moody Construction, a successful Atlanta business.

Nasiha Mujkanovic: Fleeing Bosnia as a child, Nasiha made her way to the United States and became an elementary school teacher. She makes it a point to share the opportunities available in the United States with others like herself. 

Sallie Ann Robinson: In addition to assisting patients as a full-time nurse, Salllie found time to write two cook books and desires to eventually host her own cooking show.

Carrie Christie: Carrie found early success in the arts but became exhausted. She took a step back, secured a stable 9-to-5 job, and is now revisiting a promising career in the arts arena.

Lynn Chopp: Lynn is balancing a job, family, and school. Earning a degree in psychology is one of her missions.

Hope and Steve Dezember: Six months into Hope and Steve’s relationship, Steve was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They desire to raise awareness and spread encouragement.

Ashlee and Tom Cleveland: Ashlee and Tom have found happiness on Tom’s family farm in Fort Valley. They would rather work 80 hours a week for themselves than 40 for others.

Maybe the same ideals presented in these pieces are true for our students, but we will never know unless we create forums that allow them to discuss their destinies. These stories can motivate them to contemplate their futures, plan the steps needed to reach their objectives, and identify obstacles that may hinder achievement. Below is a list of resources that will help you introduce them to your class.

Resources

Re:Dream for Educators: Access this document for suggestions on how to incorporate the series into your lessons. You can also have students complete Re:Dream cards and share their dreams with others in the classroom. Then, let them select partners and write action plans outlining how they will accomplish their goals. 

   

Re:Dream for Students: Get students involved in spreading the word. They can facilitate a campaign or interview producers about documentary production and topics related to the American dream. 

Discussion Guide: Check out this discussion guide for brief overviews of each video and accompanying questions that promote meaningful and thought-provoking dialogue.

Community Outreach: Find ways to get the community involved with this outreach flyer. You can even find a scheduled event near you with this link.

Events

• On Tuesday, April 26, GPB will host a special community conversation at the Clarkston Community Center. It will explore the various iterations of the American dream that are being realized in the diverse Clarkston area. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. with the program beginning promptly at 7 p.m. Celeste Headlee will moderate a panel discussion with Clarkston area residents, a mix of immigrants and refugees, who are working towards fulfilling their dreams. We hope to see you there!                                                                                                                               
• GPB hosted a special family and friends screening on April 11 for the eight individuals featured in the project. GPB's host Bill Nigut moderated a question and answer panel afterwards.

We would love to hear how you are encouraging students in your classroom using these materials. For more information, visit ReDreamproject.org.