"What makes a good teacher? It's a person who has a passion for knowledge and the subject that they teach, for the community, and for the kids."
- Programs
- Volunteers
- Businesses
- Partners
Partnerships
Advent Software
Beginning with the “Lunch Bunch” program – a group of 12 volunteers who read with students during lunch hour – Advent Software’s 8-year partnership with Dr. Charles Drew Academy has now grown to include a weekly mentoring program, school-wide activities like Carnival, Dictionary Day and African American Read-In, and this year’s supply drive, which provided a crate of supplies and chart paper for every teacher in the school.
The principal and volunteers at Drew Academy say they can see the positive change the partnership fosters in students. Assistant principal Julie Alderete says Wednesday (the day Advent Software volunteers visit) is the best behavior day of the week – “no one wants to be on bad report when their mentors and tutors visit,” she says. Julie says the teachers and staff notice a real improvement in the students’ confidence and self-esteem, and the fact that students are excited to give up their lunch each week to read with the “Lunch Bunch” is a true testament to the program’s impact.
Hansen Bridgett Law Firm
Hanson Bridgett Law Firm’s partnership with Everett Middle School goes above and beyond funding and classroom volunteers. Hanson Bridget employees understand the importance of connecting with students and building school community. Each fall, volunteers kick off the school year by serving a Welcome Back pizza party for the entire school. According to Principal Dennis Curci, “the Welcome Back luncheon puts the entire school in a good mood. [Students] feel good about returning to school.”
Hanson Bridgett provides wholesome snacks for Everett’s after school program, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating among students. They also print the school’s monthly color newsletter, helping Everett’s parent communication.
Inside the classroom, Hanson Bridgett volunteers tutor two classes of newcomer students every Wednesday, and started a boy’s mentoring group at the school. According to Parent Liaison Denise Rueda, “Hanson Bridgett has a huge impact on our community not only because they give us funds but because they are present in the school – they are great role models for our students.”
Everett parent Guy Arevelo says, “Hanson Bridgett makes the students feel important and makes the school a great place to be.” Hanson Bridgett’s impact on the school is best explained by the students themselves. Eighth grader David Hunter says, “My mentors help me with algebra. I am understanding it better and hopefully will graduate on stage. This will make my Granny real happy since she takes care of me just like my mentors. No other guys have cared about me so much and even if I am not the best student they still help me and accept me for at least trying to do good.” Proving that Hanson Bridgett has established a true connection to the students and staff at Everett, one student exclaimed, “We even want them to come to Great America with us!”
Morrison Foerster Law Firm
Every week for over 15 years, Morrison and Foerster Law Firm employees pile into taxis and head down to Bessie Carmichael Elementary School. There, the law firm’s volunteers work in various classrooms, supporting teachers and students in their lessons. Some volunteers, like Braden Paule, help English language learner students work on vocabulary; others, like Jeff Kentzer, practice art and music activities with a kindergarten class.
Although he has retired Morrison and Foerster, volunteer Marshall Small has stayed committed to weekly volunteering. Teacher Elvira Ebalo sometimes cleverly incorporates law themes into her class’s coursework when working with Marshall. One week, the class’s reading and writing topic was “What if Goldilocks was on trial for breaking into the three bears’ home?”
No matter what the particular lesson, all the Morrison Foerster volunteers provide students with dependable role models, and the children get regular interaction with a caring adult from outside the school. According to teacher Catherine McCormac, “Having regular interaction with a responsible, respectable adult besides the teacher is so valuable.”
Ms. Ebalo says the time students spend with the Morrison Foerster volunteers really helps build the students’ self esteem – especially the English language learners, who are working on their speaking skills. According to Principal Jeff Burgos, Morrison Foerster’s commitment and dedication Bessie Carmichael is what makes them truly valuable to the school. “I feel that whoever is the principal long after I am gone will be able to count on Morrison Foerster. It is truly a pleasure to be connected with them.”