A University of Minnesota / St Paul Public Schools collaboration providing tutors and mentors in local school classrooms.

Background

Classroom Partners began with University Honors Program students volunteering in science classrooms at Murray Middle School in 2017 and has since expanded to include students from all over the University of Minnesota supporting students in all subjects at Murray Middle and now Como Park Senior High School.

Both schools are home to an exciting and diverse student population who can really benefit from extra opportunities because many students are from backgrounds currently under-represented in professional fields and just under 60% qualify for free/reduced lunch because they come from households with limited resources. The teachers and staff at both schools are inspiring -- they have a strong commitment to help students from all backgrounds excel. Our role as Classroom Partners is to provide an army of flexible, conscientious adults who can come alongside students in the classroom and support their learning.

When a volunteer signs up, they sign up to work at either Murray Middle School or Como Park Senior High School. The specific locations and times that volunteers are needed are different between the two schools, but otherwise the program structure is identical.

Your commitments as a volunteer

Training. In addition to completing Safety of Minors training provided by the U and a background check, volunteers commit to full participation in an orientation session provided by the leadership at the school. The goal of this training is to help us be aware of implicit bias we bring into the situation, learn skills for focusing on positive behaviors, and begin seeing how we can detect and celebrate the strengths of the students we serve.

Weekly presence. Volunteers commit to being a weekly presence in daytime classrooms to support the existing curriculum. We always follow the teacher’s lead; we are there to provide extra eyes, hands, ears, and inspiration in the classroom. 

Reflection. Volunteers also commit to participating in regular peer-led reflection activites, in addition to the time spent working with students. The chance to reflect on our experiences in the classroom and share what we've learned and seen with others working in the school is an important part of our commitment to the process. You'll be assigned to a reflection group that meets weekly; participation in at 50% of the sessions is expected.

End-of-semester. Volunteers also commit to being present after the University of Minnesota semester ends, until the semester ends for our public schools -- Fall semester ends in mid-January; Spring semester ends in early June. If the end of the U's semester means you need to leave town, staying in touch digitally is an option!

Specific details for Murray Middle School

Murray Middle School (2200 Buford Ave, St Paul  55108) is located 4 blocks from the St Paul Campus and 3 blocks from the #3 bus line.

Volunteers are needed between 8:30am and 3pm, Monday-Friday.

Volunteer orientation for Spring 2024 will happen after school during the first full week of February. The sessions are identical, so you just need to attend the one that fits your schedule best -- please indicate the best fit when you fill out the application form.

Contact Cheryl Olman, caolman (at) umn.edu, if you have any questions. Cheryl's job is to provide a list of names and information about schedule availability to the school and to track completion of training requirements and background checks. Beyond that, teachers and staff at Murray Middle School will provide training, classroom assignments, student mentoring matches, supervision, and feedback. The AmeriCorps Promise Fellows at Murray Middle School will lead the peer reflection circles.

Specific details for Como Park Senior High School

Como Park Senior High School (740 Rose Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55117) is located just east of Como Lake, 2 blocks from the #3A bus line (note that the eastbound 3B, 3C, and 3E do not get you to Como from campus!).

Volunteers are needed between 8:30am and 3pm, Monday-Friday, as well as during some after-school hours.

Contact Como Park Classroom Partners, comoparktutor (at) umn.edu, if you have any questions. Folks at the University provide a list of names and information about schedule availability to the school and to track completion of training requirements and background checks. Teachers and staff at Como Park Senior High will provide training, classroom assignments, student mentoring matches, supervision, and feedback.