2017-March-14

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We Teach Science

By Annette Blum · Marketing Manager · U.S.

When I was young, I assumed I’d be a teacher. However, a summer school teaching job cleared that notion from my head quickly. Instead I have found ways to support the education community and to be part of preparing young students for what lies ahead.

One of them is as volunteer with We Teach Science, a nonprofit that provides mentoring to economically underserved students, especially minority populations and females. Its Remote Tutoring and Mentoring Program uses collaborative technology that connects students to mentors by removing the obstacles of time and travel. This gives potential mentors like me the opportunity to inspire students to excel in math and science.

The first time I met with Kristani Frazier, we drew pictures on the virtual whiteboard we shared—she was in Oakland, I was in in San Jose. We met weekly and I was supposed to tutor her in math, but more often than not, we found ourselves talking about travel, pets or our passions—some shared, some not. She was creative in finding ways to avoid doing the assignments and was hesitant to talk about school and her future in general.

Every week was a new opportunity to experiment with drawing her out of her shell if the topic was something that challenged her. I began to doubt that I was reaching her and also thought that my efforts were having no impact. Then I received a note informing me that Kristani’s teachers and primary caregiver had noticed improvement in her performance, and more importantly in her enthusiasm for learning.

I realized that you don’t have to be a professional teacher to help a student and inspire them to work hard and to commit to their education. Sometimes, you simply have to show up. Show up to give them support. Show up to encourage them to push themselves, to set goals and to remind them that they are smarter than they give themselves credit for.

Kristani felt (and still feels) frustrated with math; and with school in general. And it’s that frustration, which motivates me to show up every week. As Kristani and I work slowly through a math problem that she wasn’t sure how to approach, I have an opportunity to remind her that she is clever, she is a problem solver and that she has a voice that should be heard. She doesn’t have to wait for someone to give her answers. I’ve seen her eyes light up and I’ve actually seen pride on her face when she finishes a difficult exercise.

I am passionate about education and the many opportunities if offers. It is the foothold for creating financial security and independence, for reducing unnecessary confrontation through communication skills, and for exploring and cultivating joy.

Initial grant funding from Cisco helped We Teach Science expand the program to more students, schools, and regions across the United States. Enabling the program to double the number of students it serves to 400. In 2016, the program provided over 4,400 hours of e-mentoring and tutoring sessions from mentors based in 35 states.

I am so appreciative that Cisco not only affords me the means to donate to organizations that support teachers and education pioneers, but that it also gives me the flexibility to show up for a student through We Teach Science, giving her the confidence and motivation to work hard and to have a reason to excel.

I would encourage anyone to participate in this program and can assure you that while you may not feel you have a lot to offer, your student will know and show you otherwise—maybe even giving you the confidence you need to achieve more in your own personal and professional development.

Connect with We Teach Science today and help change our world for the better.

Related Links

• We Teach Science
• Benefits & Perks at Cisco

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