1. CASE STUDY –
EDUCATION OVER
LIFESTYLE
LAUREN DICKEY – KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY - ECE 7513
2. Introduction
This case study involves a family who gave up everything for the good of their children’s
education. It follows the story of the Landers* family, who moved from Eastside, Georgia to
Roswell, Georgia. The parents, Sean* and Suze*, decided to uproot their family from comfort
and beautiful home in South Atlanta to move to the northern suburbs. This case student focuses
on their journey and specifically, the successes of the two Landers children, Chris* and Gina.*
I am a teacher at the school where the Landers family decided to bring their children to
receive the best education possible. I teach third grade at this elementary school, where our
school report card is currently an 89.4 according to the College and Career Readiness
Performance Index (CCRPI). There are approximately twenty students per homeroom at this
school of about 800 students. Each homeroom is mixed with different learners including (but not
limited to) gifted, learning disabled, English language learners, and general education students.
My current philosophy of education focuses on the intellectual growth of each student. I
believe that students who train and discipline their mind through social issues and problem
solving while incorporating and applying curriculum will create citizens for the future. This can
be done by creating a warm and welcoming school environment through positive reinforcement.
*Names have been changed.
Characteristic Profile
The Landers family identifies as an African American family. The mother, Suze, and
father, Sean are both born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. They both graduated from high
schools, Sean in 1988, Suze in 1990 in the Atlanta Public School System or Fulton County
School System, both have direct ties to the city of Atlanta. They met while they were both in
3. college and then married in the early 90s. The Landers children came after Suze and Sean were
married for over ten years. Their children, Chris and Gina, are one year apart in school. The
family lived in southern Fulton County until they moved to Roswell. Chris was in the third
grade, Gina in the second. They identify as Christians and use the Lord to guide their decisions.
The extended stay hotel is down the road from the elementary school; this is where the
landers family settled on their first day in Roswell. On the first day of school, Gina and Chris
walked the mile to school with their parents. The family did not have a car, but Mrs. Landers
wanted to meet her children’s teachers for the first time.
Gina and Chris are both in the Gifted and Talented program, and their leadership showed
in the classroom. Both extremely likable children, they grabbed attention of teachers,
administration, and students quickly through their academics and social awareness. Since they
have enrolled in this school, they have scored in the highest possible category on every
assessment, standardized or informal. Chris is now in fifth grade and Gina is in the fourth.
The main reason I choose this family for this case study is how both children are
exceeding academically and socially even though they were considered homeless for the
majority of the past three years. Statistically African American students do not score in the
highest percentile due to whatever reason, but these children excelled. Their resiliency showed
that their parents instilled in them the importance of education.
4. Questions for the Reader:
Outside of the classroom, do you think that a student is more impacted by his/her
physical environment or support system (family, friends)
Why do you think these children succeeded despite their low economic status?
Do you believe it is possible to continue living in this lifestyle with the same successes?
