On March 12, Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, announced that all Ohio schools would be closed for three weeks starting Monday, March 16. This left Bluffton University student teachers wondering how they were going to complete their classroom instruction hours needed for student teaching.
Atticus Prothro, 8, works with his study buddies Rob Cremeans and Leslie Beasley. Photo courtesy Marathana Prothro
Robin Bowlus, vice president of enrollment management, came up with the idea for Bluffton Study Buddies. She reached out to Gayle Trollinger, professor of education and education department chair, on a way to set this program up.
“We want to offer support (academic, emotional, etc.) to students who are not in school because of the virus,” said Trollinger in an email about the goal of Bluffton Study Buddies.
Bluffton University has a nationally accredited education program, and they wanted to find a way to help parents and students who are adjusting to remote learning for the next couple of weeks.
Holly Metzger, enrollment counselor for degree completion and transfer students, is serving as the advisor for this program and believes that this is going to help take the pressure off of parents and help keep children on track with their schoolwork.
“This service gives kids a safe and fun atmosphere to learn, work on homework and socialize with other kids who are maybe from another school and maybe even another state,” said Metzger.
The study buddies consist of current Bluffton University student teachers, Bluffton University faculty and staff, and Bluffton University alumni who are currently teachers. They want to help serve the needs of families who want their children to move forward with their education despite moving to remote learning.
This program is completely free for all students in K-12 and meets from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. They also offer special rooms that your children can join for different age groups.
At 9 a.m. there are rooms for anyone in first through third grade to work on reading and socializing. There is also math tutoring for anyone in fourth grade. At 10 a.m. there is a preschool readiness group as well as a math tutoring session for children in seventh grade.
The overall goal of this program is to help any and all students who are currently struggling with the transition to remote learning or just would like someone to talk with.
“Human beings are social beings and we all want contact with other humans,” said Trollinger. “This gives children contact with caring adults and other children and also gives them support with their schoolwork. This is also an opportunity for Bluffton to give back to the schools that have opened their doors to our field experience students and student teachers. We want to help and support in any way possible.”
