Little did they know in 2016 that their teacher/student relationship would spark a nonprofit, one that is most needed right now during COVID-19.
Parents, educators, and especially students, are struggling to keep up with the changes currently happening in education. Being “plugged in” for school requires a host of new skills. Students must be organized, self-motivated, self-directed, and above all else able to process hoards of information from several different angles.
Students who are socio-economically challenged will feel these impacts more than those who are not, but their families may not be able to provide the necessary support. Meanwhile, their more financially-able peers will hire tutors, attend micro-schools, or have one parent home full time for guidance. This will further increase the opportunity gap.
Students who live in poverty have fewer resources and less access to help. Efrain Monterroso and Marion Friedman are hoping to bridge this opportunity gap for low-income students.
Pace Education is a Princeton-based 501(c)(3) that seeks to support low-income learners in three learning areas: academics, mental health and social-emotional learning. Their team includes professors, teachers, counselors, health-care professionals and social-emotional learning specialists.
PACE is always looking for those who want to get involved. Anyone with expertise who can support their mission, or who wants to make a tax-free donation, can visit www.paceeducation.org for more information.
To submit an application for services, visit https://forms.gle/pQexXvuX9DyYaMVM6
Free and reduced tutoring services are available for students who qualify. For more information, visit www.paceeducation.org
- This article was submitted by Marion Friedman, founder of Pace Education.