The Learning Alliance recently received a $250,000 boost from AT&T to expand its Moonshot Academy after-school program in honor of Riomar resident Jim Kelly. Kelly served on the AT&T board of directors from 2006 to 2015 and that of BellSouth Corporation from 2000 to 2006. Before moving to Vero, the retired UPS Chairman/CEO was already a keen proponent of education and served as a former board chairman of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
“When I got down here I got involved with The Learning Alliance; I thought they were doing good work,” said Kelly, who recommended TLA as the beneficiary when approached by AT&T for the honor. “Based on the newness of this initiative, $250,000 is really an impactful amount. You can actually see the results.”
Moonshot Academy launched last year at four of the district’s 13 elementary schools – Indian River Academy, Rosewood Magnet, Treasure Coast and Sebastian – and has already seen remarkable growth in student literacy scores, including a 300 percent gain at the Title 1 Indian River Academy. Funded in part by the Indian River Community Foundation and the Learning Alliance, this additional support has enabled an expansion to Beachland Elementary School.
As with other Learning Alliance initiatives, Moonshot Academy is one more tool in the arsenal toward achieving the school district’s Moonshot Moment goal of 90 percent literacy by third grade. The free program provides two hours of after-school tutoring to struggling, low-performing students in a fun and engaging manner that has them clamoring for more. Because of improved skills, students who previously never raised a hand to answer a question are doing so with confidence.
Grateful teachers and administrators sat on child-sized chairs around a table in the Beachland library last Wednesday to share some their experiences prior to the official check presentation.
“The kids love it; they can’t wait,” said second grade teacher Brenda Durwin. “It’s fun for them so they’re learning and keeping engaged.”
“They’re learning and just don’t know it,” agreed second grade teacher Fran McDonough. “We’re seeing a growth of understanding.”
First grade teacher Erica Thomas said it is especially helpful for ESL (English as a Second Language) students, as they act out the vocabulary of words they don’t understand. “As soon as their body makes that statue, the word connects.”
“The people who are funding this and coordinating the program need to be thanked, but really the teachers are the ones to be commended,” said IRC School Superintendent Mark Rendell. “In reality, it’s still the relationship between the classroom teacher and the students.”
“The teachers are a vital part of co-creating what happens in their classroom. This wouldn’t happen without the teachers,” agreed TLA Executive Director Barbara Hammond, adding that most are now applying the program’s tools and techniques in their daily classrooms.
“There really is something new being created by this mix,” said Hammond. “They’re coming out of school thinking about applying their knowledge; it’s not about memorizing and reciting anymore.”
