Long Beach BLAST Partnership for Tutoring and Mentoring

The College of Education enjoys a rich partnership with Long Beach BLAST (Better Learning for All Students Today). Long Beach BLAST provides one-on-one academic mentoring and small group tutoring opportunities through matching CSULB teacher candidates with children in Long Beach Unified School District school sites. According to Long Beach BLAST, “an Academic Mentor is a trusted and influential college student who is also a consistent caring, and committed role-model to a younger student…Each year our Academic Mentoring Program strategically pairs 500 college students with a youth facing adversity, one-to-one, and is uniquely equipped to foster relationships that work towards academic gains, strengthen character development, and encourage higher education and future success.”

For future teachers from the College of Education, Long Beach BLAST facilitates initial field experiences with children at school sites. College of Education Dean, Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, serves as a volunteer board member, and shared that “BLAST provides important developmental experiences for our aspiring educators. They are in the field, engaging with diverse students in our community through providing important mentoring and support. This opportunity is truly a 'win-win' for all students.”