Project Description

Darien Gets Back on Track Thanks to his Parents and COA Teachers

Darien, an 8-year-old participant at COA’s Riverwest Youth Development Center, is known by COA staff for his fun and energetic personality. Like other kids his age, Darien enjoys playing soccer with his friends and spends his free time playing computer games.

Darien was one of many students nationwide whose educational experience was drastically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though usually someone staff described as having an open mind, Darien grappled with the new changes that came with virtual learning.

When Darien first started to attend COA for support with his virtual learning, he struggled. Learning from a screen was an entirely different experience from his former school days. Zoom sessions made focusing on his schoolwork difficult, and he would exit out of learning sessions out of frustration. Darien struggled with asking for help and soon began to submit incomplete work to his teachers and disengage from his learning.

Once he started being transparent about his struggles, COA staff learned more about his needs and were able to help him succeed.

Seeing Darien struggle, COA teachers partnered with his parents and school teachers to ensure he was getting the support he needed. Shortly after, Darien started being more honest with his teachers and asked for help with his assignments. Once he started being transparent about his struggles, COA staff learned more about his needs and were able to help him succeed.

Soon after, Darien showed a complete 180 in his care and attitude towards virtual learning. He started to understand the importance of staying logged on to his classes and stayed engaged by keeping his camera on. Darien became invested in his virtual learning and ended up making the most of his experience.

Not only did COA staff provide Darien, and fellow program participants, with a safe and accepting environment to complete online learning, but they also ensured that Darien’s voice was being heard, his needs were being listened to, and he had a community of support to help him persevere.