The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation launched an online tutoring website Dec. 3 in partnership with the peer-tutoring platform Knack, according to a press release. Officials said the program will be driven by retired Texas public school teachers who are equipped to engage with students of all ages and educational needs.
“None of us have ever experienced ‘distance learning’ in our school system the way today’s children are,” said Tim Lee, executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association and its charitable partner nonprofit organization, Texas Retired Teachers Foundation. “We’re already seeing an impact on their academic readiness and success, and we decided to take action.”
Retired teachers participating in the program will be able to earn extra income. Officials said the average monthly pension from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas is $2,000, and most retired teachers in the state do not receive Social Security benefits.
Additionally, the program will help students adapting to virtual learning environments, and parents can get access to reduced-cost tutoring services, the press release states.
“These are unprecedented times. We have a responsibility to think bigger and do more than ever,” Lee said in a statement. “Just imagine the difference we can make together by connecting thousands of Texas retired teachers with our students and schools. TRTF is also calling on all interested TRS retirees to consider being a tutor on the platform. Our belief is that demand will be very high, and we want to rise up and meet the challenge.”
TRTF is aiming to raise $10 million to donate 250,000 hours of tutoring to Texas schools as part of the program launch. Visit www.trtf.org for more information.
