Bobcat Learning Center Launch 2019

Daniel Akamine, Bobcat Learning Center Coordinator

On October 16, 2019, the Bobcat Learning Center officially launches for the 2019-2020 year!

Already, Daniel Akamine, our new Learning Center Program Coordinator, has been hard at work preparing for the year. Daniel was hired for the role in 2019, but has already spent three years working alongside the youth at Jason Lee Middle School, both as an AmeriCorps member and as program staff.

“I feel challenged, but I’m excited about the challenge,” said Daniel. 

The Bobcat Learning Center is the result of a partnership between Trinity Presbyterian Church, Tacoma Public Schools, and Peace Community Center. Seven years ago, Jason Lee lost all of their funding for afterschool programs. Trinity and Peace came together and offered to help. This collaboration continues to thrive as a vital resource for Jason Lee students. 

“Collaboration between organizations is important to better serve the students that we work with, in order to provide more resources,” shares Daniel.

Learning Center students learn to skateboard at Alchemy Skateboarding

Students at the Bobcat Learning Center have access to the incredible team mentors in the AmeriCorps Program Staff from both organizations. Additionally, the Program regularly collaborates with local organizations to offer new opportunities for their students during Enrichment Programming, a time of day committed to exploring new things and building meaningful relationships. Past partners have included organizations like Amazon’s Kids Who Code, the Major Taylor Bike Project, the Tacoma Art Museum, and Metro Parks People’s Community Center Aquatics program, and more.

That sense of collaboration continues after enrichment and into the designated homework time. Program staff, Jason Lee teachers, volunteers and students all work together for student success. For example, last year, the science and math teachers began providing the Learning Center staff with information about upcoming assignments and exams, and which students were particularly struggling. With that information, staff and volunteers with science and mathematics backgrounds to tailor their approach to support students in pursuit of their academic goals. Tracking data shows that 92% of the 50 students who most regularly attended programming were passing in math by the end of the year. At a school where 29% of students meet math standards on state tests, we see this as evidence of successful collaboration. 

With the start of programming in a few short weeks, we look forward to seeing how that collaboration will continue to serve students, right here in our neighborhood.