The pandemic brought new challenges to everyone over the past year and a half. But for GEAR UP Coach, KenJuan Lockhart, he embraced the challenge and helped students succeed in spite of COVID-19.
Mr. Lockhart joined GEAR UP in 2020 as a coach, and he has taught English at Buckeye Union High School for four years. “When the opportunity came up, it made sense because I get to reach a broader range of students on a daily basis,” Mr. Lockhart… Read more
On May 25, Arizona GEAR UP’s Middle Grade Program Manager Ann Connelly hosted the 5E Feeder Middle School Year 3 Planning meeting.
Representatives from 15 schools joined the virtual meeting to discuss the upcoming school year plans and services available to schools. The meeting began with a presentation highlighting the positive impact a college-going culture has on students and how to build a positive culture within a school.
Ann was joined by several GEAR UP project partners that shared what services… Read more
MacKenzie Sanford recently graduated as part of the Class of 2021 at Tonopah Valley High School, an Arizona GEAR UP 5E High School in Maricopa County, Arizona.
MacKenzie first heard about GEAR UP from an email she received her junior year. She says she immediately wanted to learn more, and when asked about her participation in GEAR UP, she was ecstatic.
“I’m talking to them all the time, like about graduation and ‘how do I do this and do that?’”
MacKenzie says… Read more
Every year, Arizona GEAR UP hosts a Summer Program for rising 10th graders, where students spend a week learning about themselves and exploring the STEM field.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s camp looked a little different. This year’s camp was open to all grades. Students signed up for this year’s Free Virtual Leadership Academy & Technology Camp online, which featured a choice of four one-week classes that focused on robotics and programming. Before the program started, students were sent… Read more
For many, summer brings vacations and recreation, but there’s no time to relax for GEAR UP and all our partners with concerns of college readiness, summer melt, and career exploration.
From middle school to high school graduates, Arizona GEAR UP has packed the summer with initiatives to address access and educational equity.
Planning for Year 3 of Arizona GEAR UP 2019-26: The Five E’s of Equity is in full swing for middle school services. Our middle grades team met with educators… Read more
Do you know families that struggle to pay for internet—especially since COVID-19 hit? Help is on the way. In response to the pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit for families in need, and we want you to help us spread the word.
The service provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal… Read more