UT students have developed a new initiative called Inspire, a service organization driven to make a positive impact on elementary schools in the Knoxville community.
The new community service group will be designed to connect students with opportunities to mentor elementary students primarily in full-service schools in the surrounding community.
Full-service schools, as authorized by Elementary and Secondary Education Act, are concerned with the complete development of students, caring for their physical and mental health as well as their intellectual growth. These schools include a wide range of extended service for students including medical and dental care, nutritional care and counseling. Training for parent involvement in education is also offered.
Sarah Owen, undeclared sophomore, Britta Johnson, sophomore in the College Scholars Program, and Katy Tanner, junior in mathematics, have laid the groundwork for Inspire. The student team was motivated to start this organization after an honors seminar led by Bob Kronick, professor in educational psychology and counseling, based on service learning.
The class required volunteering in full-service schools, and through their experiences in these schools, the students discovered how valuable mentors could be in the lives of these children.
“Dr. Kronick has been an advocate for full-service schools in Knoxville for many years,” Owen said. “After volunteering in one of these schools for the semester, each of us saw the need these students and schools had for mentors and after-school programs.”
Kronick and Gavin Luter, Baker Center coordinator, will sponsor the organization, offering a new way for UT students to invest in their community.
“Inspire represents what we hope is a movement that encourages other students to be involved in their community in college,” Luter said.
That certainly appears to be the motivation behind this effort.
“We found out when talking with our friends that there were many UT students who would love the opportunity to work in elementary schools,” Owen said. “We personally enjoyed our time working with these children and were able to see many of them improve behaviorally over the course of the semester.”
This interaction benefited not only the elementary students but the volunteers as well.
“After seeing the benefits both us and the children received, we decided to begin this organization so that any UT student could work in these schools so that no full-service school would be in want of volunteers,” Owen said.
The program is flexible for student volunteers.
“Volunteers with Inspire will work in one of four Knoxville elementary schools or a preschool for a minimum of one hour each week,” Owen said. “The student can choose what time and what he or she will be doing.”
Students will have a measure of discretion in the work they will do.
“We hope to start after-school programs in any of the schools that are interested, and volunteers will be able to decide what programs the children will be doing,” Owen said. “During school hours, volunteers will serve as mentors and tutors depending on the need.”
The new organization will serve as another important connection between UT students and the Knoxville community, allowing students to focus on addressing needs off campus, Owen said.
“We hope to educate, enrich, and inspire students in Knoxville’s full-service schools,” Owen said.
