Educate Today, Gulfport to Work Hand in Hand

During Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Pinellas County School Board Member Glen Gilzean presented information about his non-profit organization that aims to increase achievement for at-risk youth. Educate Today is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and currently hosts after school programs in Bradenton, Jacksonville and Pensacola.

Educate Today offers parental options as well as after school programs for students. “Our goal is to make sure that academic achievement improves in students,” said Gilzean. “We are the academic version to the Boys and Girls Club.”

In 2011, Educate Today applied for three grants out of 18 slots. 220 agencies competed and Educate Today was awarded all three.

Rather than just offering a place for children to go after school and play, Educate Today builds on the student’s education. For example, if students learn about volcanoes in class, organizers with Educate Today would further the teach by creating an actual small scale volcano and explain it's function. That's right, it's a hands on experience aimed at enhancing the processing of each child's understanding.

Gilzean said that instead of putting school atop school, the after school program is meant to be “fun.” For instance, one exercise is hauling the students to an open field and setting up a relay race, baton and all. Before a student can advance to the next stretch of the relay, they must answer a math problem correctly. This type of integration between activity and education keeps the children’s attention.

A typical day at Educate Today’s after school program looks a little something like this:

• Enjoy a healthy snack
• Receive homework help
• Two, full hours of academic enrichment with a certified teacher (reading, writing, math, science)
• Personal enrichment activities (service learning, entrepreneurial education, character education, nutritional and physical education)

“We provide a safe, fun environment but we provide the academic focus,” said Gilzean. “That’s why the city is excited about this particular grant.”

The presentation was well received by the Gulfport City Council Members with leaders showing support of the program.