I served for two years as an AmeriCorps member wtih City Year Boston (09-10, 10-11). During those years, I discovered my passion for educational equity and social justice. I also met some truly incredible people who became some of my closest friends! I then joined City Year Boston's staff and led teams of AmeriCorps members in two Boston Public Schools for four additional years. These experiences totally transformed my life. I am now a school psychologist, partnering with teachers and providing direct services to students on a daily basis. 

I am so grateful to City Year on both a personal and professional level. Let's help make sure they are able to continue this level of impact in the Boston community for years to come!

In March, Boston Public Schools (BPS) announced the closure of all 125 schools citywide. These school closures left 50,000 Boston students without access to in-person schooling.  City Year Boston is working closely with BPS to provide innovative distance learning opportunities to students, adapting our Whole School Whole Child program model to suit virtual spaces.

While teachers continue to provide whole-class instruction using platforms like Google Classroom or Zoom, City Year’s AmeriCorps members are providing academic supports in English language arts/literacy and math by facilitating breakout groups, answering questions, and leading enrichment activities.  Our corps members are assisting teachers in planning lessons and reviewing students’ assignments and holding office hours to provide one-on-one and small-group tutoring.  Importantly, our AmeriCorps members are also supporting students’ social-emotional health and placing phone calls home to students and their families as a way to build connectedness, troubleshoot, and communicate updates. 

City Year Boston is one of the only partners to support Boston Public School students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

City Year’s support of virtual classrooms is a pivotal step in preventing learning loss and generating opportunities for new learning, as well as ensuring greater equity of experience among families who may not otherwise have the ability to facilitate in-home instruction.  Beyond this school year, City Year will continue to engage in the virtual space to support BPS students and will be in schools next year to support students when they will need more than ever.