This past year has undoubtedly been challenging for all of us, but we’re pleased to report that we continue working with our students and their families (in addition to teachers and administrators) to advance our mission of enhancing the academic abilities, self-confidence and life prospects of young learners in Seattle Public Schools.

Last fall our tutors and students successfully switched to online tutoring. This transition has allowed us to successfully bring together elementary students with dedicated tutors to continue our free, one-on-one tutoring during this very difficult time.

While we still sometimes struggle with distractions such as spotty internet connections, our tutors have risen to the occasion by innovating how their hour-long sessions with students look. They’ve incorporated more technology such as online whiteboards, where a tutor or student writes onto a virtual whiteboard on the computer. In this way, the role of IIY has shifted to something more all-inclusive and specific for each student.

We’ve learned so much in the past year about how to adjust to students’ ongoing needs, and I believe that we will continue to serve them even better than before in the coming months and years. We know first-hand how impactful this support can be for young students who are falling behind academically.

Looking to the future, we continue to evaluate ways our program can expand by continuing our close partnership with Seattle Public Schools. And in hopes of creating stronger community connections through shared experiences, we have started working closer with families for the first time in several years.

With few established virtual learning standards or precedents, a Seattle student’s experience with virtual learning can differ drastically from district to district, school to school, and even teacher to teacher. This has left many families overwhelmed and concerned their children will fall behind academically.

Our goal is to continue to provide support for as many students and families as we can during this pandemic and beyond. We are so excited for the opportunity to continue expanding our work to serve students most in need of support.

Please know how much we appreciate your support and dedication to Invest in Youth! We are better because of all of our stakeholders. Be well and be happy.

In gratitude,

Cindy Sackett
Executive Director