By: Bobby Davin
The Eighth Grade Academy is an extension of the Social Enterprise Institute’s involvement with Citizen Schools. Our group of 23 students act as writing coaches for a group of eighth grade students from Orchard Gardens Middle School in Roxbury.
In the fall semester our coaches guided their students through the high school application process, building creative writing skills, conducting brainstorming activities, and helping with organization to meet deadlines. This semester we are building on many of the same academic skills as we begin writing for the Bridging Magazine; a collaborative publication where each student shares a personal piece of creative writing. For the first time this year we are able to digitize the magazine so students can share their proud work with friends, family, and next year’s eighth grade students.
Although much of what we do revolves around building important writing skills and helping students to revise their essays, 8GA is also a mentorship program where coaches act as a professional example for our students. This comes in various forms, whether it’s talking to our students about study habits or showing them the proper way to wait your turn for the next slice of pizza. Every session, my student asks me questions about my high school career and life as a Northeastern student. He aspires to learn more about science and math in high school and further his education to work in the medical field. During one of our sessions we brainstormed about how he could make the world a better place. The first idea that came to his mind was to learn more about diseases and find a way to help the people who suffer from them. After this discussion we researched a few local math and science oriented high schools for him to apply to, and now we’re patiently waiting to hear back.
The writing coach program is a great way for Northeastern students to give back to their local community, and the reward of watching your student grow and develop is immeasurable. Our team of dedicated and enthusiastic coaches are looking forward to another great semester with the eighth graders at Orchard Gardens.
