In Boston Public Schools, non-profit partners help with student achievement, including one that's celebrating a big birthday this year.
On Wednesdays, twice a month, Matt Malachowski and second grader Millie spend lunchtime together at Gardner Pilot Academy in Boston, playing games, reading books, and just talking. Matt is a volunteer with Boston Partners in Education, a non-profit focused on placing academic mentors in Boston Public Schools classrooms.
"We want to reach kids who are falling through the cracks. Those kids who need extra support to keep up and get ahead with the skills and knowledge that they're being taught in the classroom," said Pamela Civins, Executive Director of Boston Partners in Education.
The organization is celebrating its 50th year of service. Civins says it fills a crucial gap.
"When a teacher is alone in a classroom for a portion of the day with 20-25 kids, having that extra person in there helping a student, a few students, is just so important," she said. "It helps a teacher do his or her job better."
Power Lunch pairs up young students with corporate volunteers who act as reading mentors.
"The kids who are in the program, they so enjoy their reader," said Suzanne Mason, 2nd grade teacher at Gardner Pilot Academy. "It teaches kids at a very young age how to talk to adults, an appropriate relationship. It is just another adult in their life who's positive, who is reinforcing the fact that education is important."
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While academic success is key, so is nurturing personal growth.
"Volunteers will say that their student may start out really shy and not really talkative or they won't make eye contact. By the end of the school year, that shyness is gone, they're making a friend," Civins said.
"I always tell her she's meant for the camera," said Malachowski of his young mentee. "She's kind of Hollywood at this point. She's gained a lot of confidence in the year and a half I've been working with her."
Boston Partners in Education says research has shown that people who give back to their community are happier and more productive in the workplace. If you're interested in becoming an academic mentor, click here.
