Stem Learning Ecosystem Mobilizes Partners to Meet Student Need During COVID Crisis
UNITED WAY/BRIDGEPORT PROSPERS INITIATIVE PROVIDES TUTORS FOR REMOTE LEARNERS
A crisis like the coronavirus pandemic calls for an “all hands on deck” response. United Way’s Collective Impact team—specifically, the Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem—took up the challenge, and mobilized partners to help students plunged into the era of remote learning.
The STEM Ecosystem set out to support students with one-one-one virtual tutoring, aligning allies to help meet the need:
Trusted partners ACCESS Educational Services and Bridgeport Public Education Fund recruited and vetted tutors from six local colleges (University of Bridgeport, Housatonic Community College; Southern CT State University, Fairfield University, and The University of St. Joseph’s College of Pharmacy).
Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem members trained and now supervises the tutors.
PT Partners and the PT Barnum Apartments resident council (whose own resident survey had surfaced the urgent need), recruited the initial families worried about their children keeping pace. Local administrators, social workers, and guidance counselors referred additional students.
Bank of America provided a local funding grant to seed the program.
“The coronavirus pandemic disrupted learning and routines almost overnight. Our partnership wanted to support continued learning, especially for vulnerable students, ” commented Gwendolyn Brantley, Lead of the Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem (GBSLE).
What began in a public housing complex with five tutors and five families has now grown eight-fold, expanded across the city, and spread into Fairfield.
“This collaboration demonstrates the power of collective impact,” commented Allison Logan, Executive Director of Bridgeport Prospers, the home of the initiative. “When diverse stakeholders unify around a common goal, they can achieve collectively what no single organization can do alone.”
“I’m so grateful to our many GBSLE partners who made this possible, ”added program lead Gwendolyn Brantley.
Program Feedback
Early feedback on the program is positive.
A parent of one Bassick student commented: “I love it because--for my son--constancy is key. The one-on-one is what he’s used to and what he thrives on.”
Students also voiced approval for the program. A Central High School junior remarked: "I got information on topics I didn’t know about.” A sophomore from Fairfield Warde High School noted: “My tutor really takes the time to help me. We always work through the problems and she makes sure I understand.”
Tutors are pleased with the student progress they’re seeing. “Understanding and self-esteem have increased by setting small goals and helping students reach them, ” commented a tutor getting her Masters degree in teaching/secondary biology education from Sacred Heart University. Further, “Student engagement and confidence have been boosted by making math enjoyable with games, short videos, and the Zoom interactive white board,” added a sophomore tutor from Housatonic Community College.
The program benefits the tutors as well. They receive hourly stipends for their sessions, which really helps given the lack of summer jobs in the wake of COVID-19. And they improve their own self-confidence and communication skills. Longer term, younger tutors enjoy the encouragement, mentoring, and role-modeling of the senior tutors from the St. Joseph’s school of Pharmacy, who are volunteering their time to the program.
“Overall, this is a community-wide win. United Way is proud to foster this effort through our collective impact work at Bridgeport Prospers,” said Jeff Kimball, CEO of United Way of Coastal Fairfield County.
Program Offering
The tutoring program offers:
Two free one-hour sessions weekly, by Zoom meetings or by phone for those without computers or Wi-Fi connections
Tutoring for school assignments in math, science, and reading, along with social-emotional support, as requested by parents
Support for a range of students: those who are anxious, struggling, or just wish to advance
This support benefits families as well, who may lack time, energy, or knowledge to support their child’s learning alone.
Next Steps
With additional funding, the program will continue throughout the summer. The plan is to partner with UBTECH, a leading global Artificial Intelligence and Humanoid Robotics company to engage children in Camp Aspire Virtual Summer Camp. The goal is to help prevent summer learning loss and maintain academic skills needed for entry into the new school year.
Program capacity is 150 students. Anyone who would like to request a tutor can contact Gwendolyn Brantley at gbrantley@unitedwaycfc.org.
To donate to the program, visit www.unitedwaycfc.org.
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About the Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem (GBSLE)
The Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem mission is to prepare students to become career-ready leaders by providing access to quality STEM learning environments. It is a collaboration of 35 innovators: educators, business and civic representatives, non-profits and youth-serving organizations. GBSLE is one initiative of Bridgeport Prospers, a cradle-to-career collective impact initiative. It is a member of the global STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice (SLECoP), a group of 89 cross-sector collaborations seeking to nurture and scale effective STEM learning opportunities for young people.
About Bridgeport Prospers
Bridgeport Prospers mission is to work collectively as a community of stakeholders to have a positive, measurable, and sustainable impact on outcomes for all children and families, from cradle to career. We focus on a set of seven common outcomes, from healthy and ready at three and kindergarten readiness, to high school graduation and career readiness. The initiative is funded by United Way of Coastal Fairfield County. Find out more at: http://www.unitedwaycfc.org/bridgeportprospers
About United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County’s mission is “Together, we mobilize our communities to improve people’s lives.” Our vision is that all children in coastal Fairfield County are successful in school and prepared for success in life. UWCFC serves the towns of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. Find out more at: http://www.unitedwaycfc.org .
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