For the 4th year in a row, Northeastern’s Social Enterprise Institute (SEI) is partnering with Citizen Schools. As a part of the 8th Grade Academy (8GA) Writing Coach Program, Northeastern students volunteer their time to serve as mentors to 8th graders from Orchard Gardens K-8 Public School in Roxbury. This year, we have 26 SEI affiliated coaches participating in the one-on-one program.
Citizen Schools is a non-profit organization that pairs with under-performing schools to provide an expanded learning day for its students. 8GA is just one of many programs offered by Citizen Schools, with the purpose of helping 8th graders improve upon their writing skills. Grace Shim, a writing coach and senior at Northeastern, says: “The 8th graders are incredibly hardworking and passionate about becoming the best writers they can be”, and our writing coaches are there to provide support. In addition to the one-on-one mentoring pairs, there is a Northeastern student writing coach coordinator and one Citizens Schools teacher in charge of each session.
Lucy Arthur-Paratley, the Citizen Schools teacher better known as Ms. A-P around the classroom, sees the value in university student involvement with the students at Orchard Gardens. “The one-on-one attention that my students get through the 8GA Writing Program is essential to their development as writers, and as people. It is so fun to see them focus in when with their coaches — and to see the coaches reflect back undivided attention. Similar to Citizen Schools Apprenticeships (which Northeastern students also help teach!), one major benefit to our students is exposure to additional caring adults who model dreams to which our students aspire.”
The pairs were first tasked with a biography assignment. This initial interview introduction helped pairs get acquainted with one another. After that, students wrote biographies about their coaches and vice versa. Pairs were able to bond over found commonalities, favorite memories, and future dreams. A popular topic brought up by nearly all of the pairs was the subject of where the 8th grader would like to attend high school, a main focus of the 8GA program. All public and private schools in Boston require students to go through an application process. Writing coaches assist in this process by helping students with their high school essays. Students aspire to attend some of the best schools in the area, including Boston Latin Academy and Catholic Memorial High, where past participants in 8GA are currently enrolled.
8GA will continue into the spring semester, when high school acceptances are received. At the end of this fall semester, coaching pairs are invited to a celebration to recognize the achievements of the eighth graders. Students will be showcasing their written work and celebrating all they have accomplished throughout the year. It’s an exciting year ahead for all the 8th graders and their coaches. SEI feels lucky to be a part of this incredible journey.
Photo: Northeastern students and Orchard Gardens 8th graders came together in the Spring to showcase their work on campus.
