Mentor Spotlight: How mentorship led to global impact
What can one person do to change the world? That is a tough question. Many people ask themselves this question. I would venture to guess that most answer it with pessimism. How could the actions of one person actually change the world? Unless you are Bill Gates or Elon Musk or someone with unlimited means and influence, you probably feel that your efforts would be a drop in the ocean.
I started to think about what I could do. I thought if I can help one person, that person can possibly help other people and those people will carry the wave further out in concentric circles.
With this in mind, I volunteered with TGR Foundation to be a mentor.
A Virtual Fundraiser for TGR Foundation
While the pandemic has challenged fundraising efforts through in-person events, loyal TGR Foundation donors virtually rose to the challenge over the past month to help raise over $1 million in support of youth through the Charity Challenge campaign.
TGR Foundation expands programs, impact during pandemic
As the nation transitioned to social distancing and remote living in response to COVID-19, student learning was an important concern. Using more than 20 years of experience, TGR Foundation responded quickly and continued serving our community of students, educators and families.
As we reflect on our virtual spring and summer programs over the last five months, and head into a new academic year, we’re proud of what we have achieved and motivated to continue our efforts to empower youth through education.
TGR Foundation announces new President and CEO, welcomes Gordon McNeill
Today, TGR Foundation announced the appointment of Gordon McNeill as the foundation’s new President and CEO. McNeill, a seasoned nonprofit leader with experience in education, corporate strategy, capital raising and event management will lead the foundation as it continues its mission to empower students to pursue their passions through education.
McNeill succeeds Rick Singer, who announced his retirement after serving as the foundation’s President and CEO since 2014. Singer will assist in the leadership transition as a consultant to the foundation.
Virtual College Bound Academy student reflects on her experience from NC
When she’s not working toward her dream college and career Tanis Priddle, a rising senior at Eugene Ashley High School and the North Carolina School, can be found performing at an athletic event or varsity cheerleading competition for Eugene Ashley High School, practicing one of the many string instruments she plays or leaving Wilmington, North Carolina for a spontaneous travel adventure.
After learning about TGR Foundation’s virtual College Bound Academy, Tanis took advantage of the opportunity. She recently reflected on her experience and how it’s shaping her path to college and career success.
Embracing the present and future of education: 7 tips to master remote learning
This year since the transition to remote learning, I’ve consistently read and heard about the failure of remote learning and how students will continue to fall further and further behind because teaching can’t happen without a classroom.
We are at an inflection point, one that challenges teachers, and everyone in education, to not succumb to the way things used to be, but instead, give voice and energy to what can be for each and every classroom around the country. Now is the time to create new spaces for learning – without fear of failure.
We encouraged our TGR Learning Lab educators to experiment during their summer virtual classes, and they learned seven practices that proved to be effective in remote learning environments.
TGR Learning Lab student completes all summer classes, reflects on experience
A longtime TGR Learning Lab (TGRLL) student, 15-year old Nathan Zet is a familiar face at our flagship facility in Anaheim, Ca. Despite the recent shift from in-person classes to virtual learning due to COVID-19, Nathan has remained an equally dedicated student. A sophomore at John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma, Nathan is the only student who participated in every TGRLL virtual summer class offered including Space Science, Photography: Visual Storytelling, Healthy Habits at Home and What’s “App”ening in Computer Science, in addition to taking virtual golf lessons. In an interview with TGR Foundation, Nathan reflects on his favorite classes, hobbies and his dream job.
TGR Foundation releases 2019 Annual Report
With the release of our 2019 Annual Report, we look back on a year highlighted by a historic milestone as we reached a cumulative one million students impacted through TGR EDU: Explore, alone. In addition, we continued to fulfill our mission and expand impact among students, educators and families globally.
Volunteer Spotlight: How volunteerism allows me to pursue my passion beyond limits
I have been volunteering at the TGR Learning Lab since May 2016. Over the course of these four years, I have been able to meet wonderful people, as well as learn some new skills that I hope to use in my future career. I got involved in volunteering at the TGR Learning Lab through College 2 Career, a program at North Orange Continuing Education that helps students with disabilities get an education and find volunteering or employment opportunities. I have always known I wanted to work with youth. Thus, my job developer discovered the TGR Learning Lab and helped me apply. Once I began volunteering at the TGR Learning Lab, I kept returning because people there have accepted me for who I am, regardless of my disability. I have Cerebral Palsy, but that does not stop me from doing anything I want to achieve.
TGR Foundation celebrates Class of 2020
One of my favorite things about this time of year is Commencement. I love the pageantry, the music, the colors, seeing proud families cheering on their graduate and yes, I do cry at Pomp and Circumstance – every time. Commencement signals a rite of passage, and comes with a lot of hard work, sacrifice, sleepless nights and hope. For some this road of accomplishment represents a different kind of sacrifice, unique to those who will be the first in their family to graduate.
The Class of 2020 has achieved its success in the shadow of a world health crisis and the unsettling circumstances surrounding racial inequities. In the face of darkness, learning and education will always be a bright light.
TGR Foundation celebrates Juneteenth, commits to long-term equity in education
Education has the power to be one of the greatest equalizers in our society. But the heartbreaking events of the past several weeks and the countless tragedies throughout history remind us that systemic racism is deeply rooted in all of our institutions, notwithstanding our education system.
As we close our offices today in observance of Juneteenth, the leadership at TGR Foundation is recommitting itself to not only do better but to do more in support of our Black and Brown students, colleagues and communities.
TGR Foundation stands with Black community against racism, commits to driving change through education
Every day at TGR Foundation we work toward our vision of a world where opportunity is universal and potential is limitless.
Our impact over the last 25 years has reached into deeply underrepresented communities of color. As we move through an unprecedented global pandemic and unrest over the recent tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many other members of the Black community that have come before them, our thoughts are with their families. Beyond our emotions, we offer our support and commitment to be a part of real change.
TGR Foundation launches e-learning series for educators, website redesign
TGR EDU: Explore has seen a face-lift as the free digital platform developed in partnership with TGR Foundation and Discovery Education relaunched on Thursday, May 28 and debuted the first of a new six-part e-learning series for educators. Adding to the 40+ resources on the site including interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and […]
Student Spotlight: How COVID-19 motivates first-gen graduate on path to college
Many of us have heard “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” Going into my first day of high school, all I could think about was the destination – graduation night. However, being the oldest sibling also meant achieving this goal wasn’t just for me. I realized early on that I had to be the one to set the steppingstone for my younger siblings, show them just how important education is and what it means to have a high school diploma; graduating is the first step in doing so.
Losing the privilege of that special walk because of the COVID-19 outbreak took a good while for me to process.
Earl Woods Scholar Mentor Shares Four Tips to Support Students during COVID-19
It was March 11th when my family and I were sitting in the Orlando airport waiting to catch a flight back home from Disney World where we had just spent the past five days for spring break. When we left home on March 5 there were 159 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. I watched […]
Scholar Voices: My road to graduation amidst COVID-19
As I packed the rest of my belongings for spring break, I crafted a vision in my head of my final semester at Skidmore College: sun-bathing on the Case Green, fun nights spent downtown with friends, presenting my senior thesis at Academic Festival, weekend trips into town for brunch, late-night crams at Scribner Library and so many more treasured “lasts,” as I got ready to move on with the rest of my life.
I didn’t know it at the time, but my final moments on campus would be taken away and I would move out two months earlier than expected. During spring break, Skidmore College followed several other universities across the United States and the world in announcing it would be moving to remote instruction for the rest of the semester in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
TGR Foundation provides free digital learning amid school closures
With the doors to schools and academic institutions closed to stop the spread of COVID-19, TGR Foundation understands the challenges that students, parents and educators are facing as they navigate the world of distance learning. The resources offered through our no-cost digital platform, TGR EDU: Explore, will help parents-turned-educators and education professionals alike keep students engaged until schools are back in session and beyond.
Lessons engage participants in relevant disciplines and related 21st-century careers, with content ranging from animal ancestry and life science to astronomy, engineering, video game design and more.
TGR Foundation responds to COVID19
TGR Foundation responds to COVID-19 with measures to protect the health and safety of employees, students and communities served through education programs. Click below to learn about its efforts from President and CEO, Rick Singer.
TGR Learning Lab shines Student Spotlight Miguel Jimenez
With more than 50 courses available for middle and high school students in the Expanded Learning Program, the flagship TGR Learning Lab provides exposure, preparation and skill development for the workforce of tomorrow.
Through the program Miguel Jimenez has gained more than opportunities to spend time with his friends and get help with his homework after school. He has developed skills in and outside of the classroom and connected his passions to potential career paths. He recently took a moment to reflect on his experience and plans for the future in a Q&A.
Junior golfer gives back to TGR Foundation
For junior golfer Vanessa Ngo, golf has always been more than a game. Golf has given her new friendships and lifelong memories while fostering in her a drive to succeed and a desire to give back. As a junior coach, Vanessa volunteers her time training beginner golfers as well as disabled adults and veterans. Her spirit of generosity doesn’t end there. Vanessa recently donated her tournament winnings to TGR Foundation. In an interview with the foundation, Vanessa speaks about her passion for the game and her commitment to giving back.