Through Ignite, a national tutoring corps accelerates learning and fosters belonging with students.
Over the last two years due to COVID-19, students have lost 12 months of learning due to school closures. This is exacerbating inequities by 15-20%. Student engagement is dangerously low. And they are no longer willing to accept not seeing themselves reflected in their educators & curriculum. Mental health is a quiet, yet equally real pandemic. Anxiety/depression/suicide rates are at an all time high.
The Ignite Fellowship leverages research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring led by exceptional, equity-oriented leaders. This structured, curriculum-based instruction gives lift to both teachers and students, enables customized learning, and helps young people feel connected, healthy, and able to bring their full selves to learning. Sessions are offered virtually to expand the pool of tutors and reduce time and logistical obstacles. The Fellowship partners with veteran educators (often TFA alumni) within schools to lead training and support for fellows on-site.
St. Louis is one of 20 Ignite sites across the county. Launched in Fall 2022, the program started in two schools, KIPP Wisdom Elementary and St. Louis Language Immersion School, and has since expanded to a third, Brittany Woods Middle School, in spring 2023. To date, 50 fellows (20 in the fall and 30 in the spring) have served nearly 150 students in 3rd grade reading and 6th grade math and we intend to expand to 60 fellows a semester in the 2023-2024 school year. This translates to more than 3,600 hours of tutoring over the fall and spring semesters.
Our initial results are promising. Through the Panamera Experience Survey (a nationally normed survey that measures program participants’ experience), we were able to assess that 89% of students felt like they mattered in Ignite tutoring and 90% enjoyed their sessions. Furthermore, the average growth towards students’ academic goals was 106% as assessed by each school’s established curriculum and assessments.
89%
Of St. Louis students felt like they mattered in Ignite tutoring
90%
Of St. Louis students enjoyed their sessions
Program Components
- Virtual tutoring 3-5 hours per week for 10-12 weeks
- 1-3 students per fellow in groups that are consistent to deepen relationships
- A school-based trainer that delivers ongoing training and support to Ignite fellows
- During school hours
Other Information
- Fellows receive an award of $1,200 for completion of the program and school based trainers receive a stipend of $4,000
Application Process
Ideal candidates for the Ignite Fellowship meet the following criteria:
- Be available to work approximately 5 hours per week: ~3 hours directly with students weekly and ~2 hours learning and preparing for student session
- Be a current undergraduate or graduate student, TFA alum, or renewing Ignite Fellow
- Fellows must be authorized to work in the U.S. and at least 18 years of age
- Undergraduate GPA must be at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA if the candidate is a first year undergraduate without a college GPA upon applying)
“Ignite made a huge impact on the confidence and joy that kids have. It is formative to say you're going to sit with a college tutor, someone who is not me or another adult in the building. It has built their confidence and instilled this joy and excitement to come to school. ”