Category Archives: Blog

Volunteers – An Untapped Resource

Volunteers can be a powerful source of academic support for struggling students – on a widespread scale.  Here are some programs doing it well, and the work is still ahead of us.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/an-untapped-force-in-the-fight-for-literacy/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&smprod=nytcore-ipad&_r=0

“Slavin believes that community volunteers should be a part of a tiered system of tutoring that employs volunteers, paraprofessionals and, for kids who need the most help, certified teachers. “But … You’d need an army of volunteers to work with the number of kids struggling in schools.”

That army exists, said Lombardo. … continue reading

HEART Tutoring’s Logo to Appear on Jimmie Johnson’s Helmet at the Brickyard

Jimmie Johnson revealed today the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope design he will wear during this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. HEART Tutoring is proud to share that we are one of five winners to receive a $25,000 grant, a Blue Bunny ice cream party and logo placement on Johnson’s helmet this Sunday.

Emily Elliott, Executive Director of HEART Tutoring says, “We are thrilled and thankful that Jimmie Johnson is lending his name … continue reading

HEART Tutors and Paul Tough’s “Who Gets to Graduate?”

Paul Tough’s “Who Gets to Graduate?” makes me excited about HEART tutors’ role. – Emily Elliott

We tell our tutors, “Your job is 50% delivering the curriculum and 50% being a positive influence.”  Paul Tough’s description of self-doubts around ability and belonging as obstacles preventing low-income students from graduating from college has been great food-for-thought on how HEART tutors can help.  In addition to the high-fives and explicit messaging around hard work and growth, our tutors have the opportunity to share their own experiences in … continue reading

Winterfield Parent Breakfast!

We had such a blast last Friday hosting students, tutors, and parents for an end-of-year breakfast!  Parents and tutors joined to celebrate students’ progress in HEART and practice more math with a deck of cards and games that can be played all summer long.

Thank you to Winterfield Elementary for being such a fantastic school partner in hosting HEART volunteers this year.  Ms. Boyd presented volunteers with an unexpected and much appreciated surprise: HEART / Winterfield coffee mugs designed by Ms. Eatman!

… continue reading

Saying Thanks to Jimmie Johnson

The five nonprofits in the Helmet of Hope competition got to meet Jimmie Johnson and Mike Wells via google hangout this morning.  I found myself overflowing with gratitude for the leadership they show in supporting and validating these organizations’ work in K-12 education and for the community backing that led HEART to 61,000 votes.  It takes a village!

You can see the conversation here:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/coe6vthjjhv7tnjtoqdpg50q3d8

– Emily… continue reading