Even three years after the covid-19 school closures, the disparities that were created through missed learning opportunities are readily apparent in classrooms. While all students suffered from greatly reduced instruction, those who lacked internet connection and/or a supportive home environment often were unable to access any educational services at all for one and a half years. In addition, our unfortunate reality in the state of New Mexico, is that our educational system is regularly ranked 49th or 50th in the nation.
With students back in full time school, a new phenomenon is impacting the ability of children to learn. The rise of social and gaming media which encourages short attention spans through short entertaining clips, has infused children with a lack of patience, perseverance, and ability to concentrate without distraction. Coupled with the learning losses of the pandemic, students who experience little limitation on social and gaming media experience large gaps in the behavioral habits that support learning.
EVTA partners with teachers, parents, and schools to Mentor these children on how to be available for their own education. EVTA tutors begin sessions with significant transition activities that permit children to make a change from one situation to another, quiet their minds and bodies to participate in their own learning and growth.
During the pandemic, EVTA hired a technological consultant, who trained all of the tutors in online learning platforms, apps, and supplemental technologies. To directly support the social-emotional health of our students, a key aspect of the student/tutor relationship, mentoring, was emphasized. EVTA trained tutors in mentorship skills and included mentorship as an official component of services offered. “Mentorship” included social emotional support, executive function support, mindfulness and stress management, and healthy approaches to managing work load.
Our work continues in the post pandemic years, by providing in person and on-line support to students who need assistance developing either academic or behavioral skills (or both). During our "return to school" years, EVTA has emphasized yearly training to its staff, which we now source from the Bureau of Education and Research. Tutors obtain professional development in a variety of areas including content areas, growth mindset, and remediation.
EVTA has placed tutors at five school sites in Rio Arriba and Taos County and at one public library site. Tutors work with families and school staff to determine what interventions will best benefit the student. At mid year and end of year, tutors submit progress reports which give EVTA staff a chance to review programs and ensure effectiveness for each client.