In the first half of 2021, an extraordinary group of mentor tutors and paraprofessionals provided Lopez students individual tutoring and supportive academic engagement. Our goal was to reduce learning disparities during remote schooling. Thanks to a grant provided by the Washington Office of Superintendent Public Instruction (OSPI) and the dedication of a phenomenal group of caring adults, our program exceeded initial expectations and is poised to continue next year.
The new tutoring initiative was a natural outgrowth of the LIFRC mentoring program, and was led by Gretchen Wing. Gretchen wears many hats on Lopez: musician, cyclist, baker extraordinaire, previous mentor, and now mentor tutoring coordinator. A former public school teacher, Gretchen wanted to support local students and educators navigating online schooling during the pandemic.
The grant we received is awarded to community-based organizations in partnership with local public school districts. Our longstanding partnership with Lopez Island School District (LISD) enabled us to shape a new virtual tutoring program for students needing extra support in grades 4-12, extend paraprofessional services to special education students, and support English-language learners.
Gretchen coordinated twice-weekly Zoom tutoring sessions, pairing each student with a tutor in a separate breakout room. Thirty-eight sessions provided individualized tutoring. Some students needed math help; others worked on essays; and others faithfully returned, day after day, week after week, to practice their reading fluency by reading aloud to adults.
The tutors showed dedication by going above and beyond. One tutor got so attached to the book a student was reading that she bought it herself. Another tutor acquired a copy of a student’s math textbook so he could stay current with the week’s work. While everyone involved recognized that remote interaction cannot substitute for in-person learning, the regular attendance during months of quarantine made it clear that this program filled an important need.
To all the students who persevered through a very challenging school year, we wish you the best of summers!
We are grateful to our local businesses who helped us create a rewards program, Learn and Earn, with prizes and treats from Lopez businesses: Isabel’s Espresso, Holly B’s, Paper Scissors on the Rock, El Taco Bout It, Just Heavenly Fudge, and Poutine Your Mouth. And we are especially grateful to the mentor tutors who stepped up: Bob Buchholz, Bruce Creps, Lorna Reese, Corky Searls, Brian Silverstein, Ronni Tartlett, Leora Willis, and Mac Wing. And we also thank the paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators at LISD who supported the program: Kathy Booth, Tuoya Deach, Trisha Elliot-Napier, Martha Martin, Arielle Ott, Tara Patino, Stina Soderland, and Table Studzienko. Thank you!