By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent
You could argue Christopher Velasquez took a big risk. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, the recent college grad dove head first into a city that’s become known as an educational battleground.
“Everybody understands that we’re here for this mission to get students to college and to prepare for college,” said Velasquez.
Velasquez is a member of the Great Oaks Tutor Corps in Newark. Recruits dedicate a year of service to urban students, providing intensive one-on-one tutoring in exchange for a one-of-a-kind experience.
“The students are recent college grads. They go through a series of training throughout the school year they receive a modest stipend and housing in teachers village ,” said Great Oaks Charter School Director Chiffon Rushford.
The Great Oaks Foundation partnered with Americorps to create the program. Students get two hours of individualized instruction every day.
“The idea is that we’re working with people who are so passionate about this work but not necessarily wanting to be teachers, but who are passionate about closing the achievement gap. Since the inception four years ago we have about 1/3 of corps members who have committed to staying in Newark and the idea is that we are generating a pipeline of talent back into Newark,” said Rushford.
“I’m interested in going to law school to study family law, so I figured I needed to get in a space where I can gain personal experience with student interactions to build on that skill,” said Great Oaks Charter School Tutor Corps member Sharonn Dinkins.
“YWe all look out for one another. So if someone is not doing well in math we help each other out so it just creates a really good dynamic and environment for the students to learn,” said Velasquez.
Since the doors opened in 2011, Great Oaks’ proficiency on the NJASK is up nearly 20 percent.
“They’re my motivators and even when I’m down they’ll lift me up,” said Khnaue Robinson.
The concept is to have the teachers live where they work, that idea is they become members of the community and more importantly, they’re better able to relate to their students.
“How can I make this material relatable to something you understand. You know, living here definitely gives you an eye opener of what its like for them growing up,” Dinkins said.
It’s also helped to revitalize the neighborhood. Tutors can attend weekend activities with the kids and become mentors.
“I look at her like a big sister like a role model who I can look up to and talk to her about everything and anything,” said Robinson.
“So the benefit is having someone who has committed their life to going to college and now coming back to commit to Newark,” said Rushford.
If tutors decide they do want to pursue a career in education, Great Oaks partners with NYU in a teacher residency program.
“They get a scholarship from Great Oaks for the first year and then in their second year, if they opt into the Master’s program, the credits they completed in this residency transfer to a Master’s and then they get a 45 percent scholarship from NYU,” said NYU Great Oaks Teacher Residency Program Director
“A program like the tutor corps really allows you to say hey is there where I wanna be, is this something that I love to do. And it’s funny, like I said I’m not necessarily interested in teaching but it has definitely changed my mindset on being an educator,” said Dinkins.
And for Great Oaks, that means mission accomplished.