The Middlesboro Independent School District was awarded a GEAR UP grant that was implemented at the middle school in January 2015. Gear UP stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.” Students began “gearing up” for their futures right away with support from partner Berea College. The local Gear Up team consists of coordinator, Melissa Bailey, parent engagement specialist, Lutricia Woods, and gear up tutors, Kristy Wright, and John Simpson. Principal Bill Jones has welcomed the Gear Up program and supports it 100%. The Gear Up cohort focuses on grades six, seven, and eight, and will continue to move with these students each year until they graduate from high school.
In addition to academic tutoring, Gear Up promotes planning for life after high school by providing students with many experiences. Many of the students at Middlesboro Middle School have already been on college visits to Lincoln Memorial University, University of the Cumberlands, Union College, Hazard Community and Technical College, and Southeast Community and Technical College. Early discussions about graduation requirements, the ACT, financial assistance, and tuition costs are already evolving at the middle school level.
Gear Up funding has been used to supplement both the language arts and math curriculum. A mobile iPad lab has been purchased for student use along with IXL software. Math manipulatives, student magazines, and novel sets have been added to the existing curriculum. Authors Helen Hemphill and Christopher Eplng have both conducted writing workshops for students and language arts consultant, Angela Hilterbrand is also working with the seventh and eighth graders on two separate literacy projects.
Through Gear Up activities, different career pathways are explored. Various speakers are invited to share their careers with students throughout the year and a career day is planned for the spring as part of Operation Preparation. A joint effort between the Bell County Extension Agent, Brandy Calvert, the MMS Youth Service Center, and the MMS Gear Up Team hosted a “Dollars and Sense” simulation last spring where students were responsible for budgeting a weekly allowance. This year 8th grade students will complete a Reality Store simulation where they are assigned a job and must manage a family on their monthly earnings.
Engaging parents is also an integral Gear Up component. The FAST (Families and Schools Together) currently meets every meets every Monday night. Nine families are registered. A family meal is served. Both parents and youth have group and one-to-one time. This is an awesome experience for all involved.
MMS Is proud to partner with Berea College in preparing students for their futures!