How Community Based Resources Helps Schools and Students Thrive
It’s a powerful truth that schools have the potential to evolve into vibrant community centers, enriching everyone with diverse learning experiences and resources. However, many schools currently close their doors after classes, missing out on opportunities to engage and support the entire community. Let’s envision a future where this changes, where schools are not just for children, but for everyone.
When we talk about ‘resource programs’ for K-12 students, we often think of after-school tutoring, mentorship initiatives, online learning platforms, specialized subject-based enrichment programs, career exploration workshops, food banks, clothing drives, mental health counseling, and programs addressing specific student needs like learning disabilities or language barriers. These programs are not just additional, they are essential. They provide crucial academic, social, and emotional support to students, extending beyond the confines of the classroom.
Just as we teach children the importance of sharing, schools can embody this value by creating and sharing resources with the community. This approach not only enhances student learning but also strengthens community bonds, demonstrating the mutual benefits of this strategy.
Community members can benefit from educational athletic and recreational facilities, theatrical and multipurpose facilities, and more, and they can also rent these facilities to put money back into the schools.
One effective way to create active community involvement is by incorporating flexible maker spaces or tinker labs. These areas can host guest professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, and experts from different fields to share their knowledge and experiences with students. Guest speakers can connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
Community members play a crucial role as mentors, sharing their expertise to help students grow. This mentorship provides personalized support, aiding students in developing life skills, setting goals, and making informed choices. It fosters a sense of belonging and boosts self-confidence through validation from role models. The impact of community members as mentors on students’ lives is truly invaluable.
Why not bring schools back into their communities and utilize all the excellent resources available around their local communities? Of course, it’s not a cure-all by any means, and proper precautions must be in place, but the saying, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” still rings true today. If it takes a village to raise a child, then let’s give the child a village or resources to support them.
Written By: Meredith Biesinger
Professional Writer/ Education Specialist
Meredith Biesinger is a licensed dyslexia therapist in Mississippi, in addition to being an experienced classroom teacher and K-12 administrator. Meredith also works as a consultant, where she bridges the bridge the gap between K-12 school districts and ed-tech organizations. With a passion for literacy, she is also a professional writer and syndicated author. With a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and a B.S. in English Education and Creative Writing, she has had rich and diverse opportunities to teach students and education professionals in different parts of the country as well as overseas.
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