Each month, we’ll be introducing you to a new School on Wheels staff member so you can learn more about the people who make our programs run successfully! This month, we’ll highlight Asia Reynolds, one of our Program Coordinators who manages tutoring each night at our partner locations. This year, she has been overseeing tutoring at our two new school sites in Washington Township and has some great results and insights to share about the school expansion program – read on to learn more!
I am the Program Coordinator at Wellspring Cottage, Greenbriar Elementary and Foxhill Elementary.
What did you do before you came here?
Before I started at School on Wheels, I had recently graduated from the University of Indianapolis. I had also been a Program Specialist for Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis for about three years.
Why did you decide to join the School on Wheels team?
I was (and still am) eager and determined to make a difference in the lives of students facing homelessness. I am a huge advocate for children facing adversity and I was certain that School on Wheels would be a wonderful opportunity for me to make an impact on this population of youth.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
The fact that I can wake up every morning knowing and believing in my heart that a student needs me to be his or her voice. To know that I am not only guiding students towards academic success but that I am teaching them valuable life skills along the way humbles me and brings me great joy!
Can you share one of your favorite tutoring stories?
One day as I was wrapping up the tutoring session, a kindergartener started to frown when I announced that it was time to line up to board the buses. Seeing disappointment in his face, I walked over to him and asked why he was so sad. He said that he was not ready to leave tutoring and even though he loved his family very much, School on Wheels was also his family. This melted my heart as I realized that for so many of our children, seeing the familiar faces of the tutors each week and the encouragement that they receive from tutoring means so much to them!
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to know that I tend to get nervous speaking to large groups of people. I am also a huge LeBron James fan!!!
Can you share some highlights / stories from the recent School on Wheels school expansion to Greenbriar and Fox Hill Elementary Schools?
For me, a huge highlight from the program expansion has been the praise that School on Wheels has received from the parents of students at our two new schools. These parents feel so much support from our staff and appreciate every workshop and positive phone call made to them regarding the amazing progress in their children’s academics. They feel more confident speaking to teachers and other school personnel due to the successful parent workshops we’ve held this year.
Another highlight has been the progress that many of the students have made since the beginning of the school year. A lot of this has to do with the positive praise and support that they receive weekly from their tutors. I can really see a confidence boost in many of the students who previously felt discouraged because of their academic performance. The recent school expansion has been a positive experience for students, parents, and many tutors!
We’ve had so many successes in our school expansion so far this year!
- We have served a total of 36 students between both Greenbriar and Fox Hill Elementary Schools.
- We have logged a total of 189 Ignite Learning consultations between both schools which includes in-take meetings, communication with teachers and parents, and parent/family workshops.
- 92% of our students at Greenbriar Elementary have maintained a C- or better or improved in two subject areas from quarter 2 to quarter 3.
Interested in learning more about our school expansion and hidden homeless initiative? Click here to learn more.