Fourney looking for boost to germinate idea
Even though there's a website and a growing database in place, "Learning Boost" remains for the time being at least a concept.
Retired teacher Shirley Fourney is the executive director of the fledgling company which she envisions as being able to provide a comprehensive pool of experienced teachers such as herself dedicated to helping students who are experiencing difficulties in school.
Saying that the concept is a new one in terms of connecting with parents and students, Fourney said "I think we fit in well with the SchoolPLUS environment, and in fact we could be the Plus part."
Fourney indicated that unlike some tutorial services that utilize university students, Learning Boost would hire only qualified teachers who are licensed in Saskatchewan.
According to Fourney there's a void in schools now that didn't exist years ago caused by funding cutbacks.
"Schools can no longer do everything they used to, certainly in areas like Special Ed for example," she said in alluding to her background as primarily in the area of French immersion and Special Ed.
Fourney, who retired in 2001 after having taught for more than two decades in Saskatchewan, had a career that encompassed kindergarten to grade 12 in several different subject areas, including English as well as French.
While she did some tutorial work last fall she decided to make the format more official by establishing her company, which she said now has a database of more than 33 retired teachers. She indicated that whereas these teachers are primarily from around Saskatoon she would ideally like the format to expand to cover the province.
"Certainly we're not there yet, but it would be ideal if we had teachers from around the province in the different subject areas to meet the needs of the students."
Adding that the teachers would follow the Saskatchewan curriculum, Fourney added that the idea would be to utilize the students' books they are currently using in school. She added that the instructional sessions could be arranged at either the students' own school or at their home.
The irony of the situation is not lost on Fourney, who acknowledged that what we really need now is to get the word out and we need students. ...
Qualified, experienced teachers interested in this one-on-one format can contact Learning Boost at info@learningboost.ca.
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (2003). Fourney looking for boost to germinate idea. Saskatchewan Bulletin, 71(5), p 3.