NASHUA – When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools online, it didn’t just disrupt lessons, it created a massive educational crisis.

According to a 2021 National Assessment of Educational Progress report, nearly 50 percent of students in grades 4 and 8 experienced learning loss due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Additionally, a 2022 study by McKinsey & Company found that students in the U.S. experienced an average learning loss of five to seven months compared to pre-pandemic levels.

In the midst of this educational crisis, United Way of Greater Nashua saw an opportunity to make a difference. Thus, the Learn United Tutoring Program was born, offering hope and support to students in need.

“We saw firsthand how the pandemic created significant academic setbacks for many students,” said Sara Ceaser, director of Volunteer and Community Engagement. “Learn United was designed to bridge that gap and provide the support that students needed to get back on track.”

Since its launch in November 2020, the program has provided more than 1,500 hours of free tutoring to students in grades K-12. This initiative aims to ensure that every student in the Greater Nashua area has access to the academic support they need, regardless of their socioeconomic status. According to a 2022 report by the National Tutoring Association, students who receive regular tutoring can see an average academic improvement of 30 percent in their grades and test scores.

The program quickly garnered interest from students and teachers alike, highlighting the urgent need for accessible educational resources. As of June of this year, Learn United is serving approximately 50 students with the help of nearly 60 dedicated tutors and monitors, each providing individualized support tailored to meet the unique needs of their students.

The Learn United program is always seeking new volunteer tutors and session monitors to help meet the demand for educational support in the Greater Nashua area. Since its inception, Learn United has seen a 200 percent increase in the number of students served and a 150 percent increase in the number of volunteers.

“Our growth over the past few years has been incredible,” said Program Assistant Rachel Caliguiri. “We’ve gone from a small team with a handful of volunteers to a robust network of nearly 60 tutors and monitors. It’s a testament to the community’s commitment to helping our students succeed.”

Ceaser initially managed the program primarily on her own with the assistance of a few volunteers. As the demand grew, she added Caliguiri to the team.

Caliguiri, who started as an intern in January 2021, has been instrumental in finding times, locations and tutors that are the right fit for each student. She grew up in the Greater Nashua area and utilized the support of similar tutoring programs through her school and local outreach programs, which inspired her to join Learn United.

“I was a Girl’s Inc. girl, so I’m always super glad to be able to work with them and have tutoring there,” said Caliguiri. “It was so beneficial to get one-on-one support through Girl’s Inc. and my school.”

The program accommodates both remote and in-person meetings, available on different days and times, including weekends and at varying frequencies. Sessions are held at a variety of locations around the area. The program does not require volunteers to have teaching experience, just an understanding of the subject(s) at the skill level their assigned student needs help with. Tutors and monitors must be at least 15 years old and pass a background check.

Tutors in the program come from diverse backgrounds and life stages. For instance, Judy, a recent retiree who worked in hospice care, now helps students with their academic needs. Judy found that incorporating games like hangman and jeopardy into her sessions helped build a strong bond with her student, who now looks forward to their “100 percent Miss Judy time.”

“I’m now playing jeopardy with him. If he reaches a specific amount of points, he gets a bag of purple Doritos and does a happy dance,” she said.

Her unique methods not only keep students engaged but also build their confidence.

Another tutor, Mei, a high school senior, joined the program in 2020 and specializes in tutoring students from immigrant families who are developing English language skills. Mei loves tutoring because she has “always loved explaining and teaching topics” and finds that kids are “fun and excited to learn.”

“Post COVID, kids need one-on-one attention that they can’t get in schools,” said Mei. “It makes them feel like their learning and skill development is important.”

Mei’s experience underscores the findings of a 2023 study from the Brookings Institution, which reported that students who received personalized tutoring during the pandemic showed a 10 percent improvement in math and reading scores compared to those who did not.

Emily joined the program in 2020 to support students struggling with schoolwork and isolation during the pandemic. With an MBA in Journalism, she helps students of various ages and specializes in writing for high school students. Emily values the opportunity to pay it forward, recalling her own struggles with algebra and how a free tutor made a significant impact on her life.

“A lot of it is learning approaches for when they don’t know something, like how to figure things out,” she said. Emily appreciates the moments when she sees “something that really daunted the student made clear.”

“Seeing a student go from feeling defeated to having those ‘aha’ moments is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “It reminds me of the difference a little support can make.”

While the tutoring program is where Caliguiri has dedicated most of her time, she has also worked on other United Way education-centered projects, such as the United Way TAPP/Rod Hansen School Supply Pantry, which has provided more than 300 students with essential school supplies since 2021. Caliguiri has observed how crucial one-on-one tutoring is for students with focus issues and how it helps maintain a routine that supports their learning.

A 2022 study from the University of Chicago revealed that students who received one-on-one tutoring during the pandemic saw a 15 percent increase in academic achievement compared to those who did not receive additional support.

“Most students really benefit from the organization and the help maintaining a routine that a tutor provides,” said Caliguiri.

Looking ahead, Learn United aims to expand its reach to support even more students in the Greater Nashua area. The program plans to increase its volunteer base by 25 percent over the next year to meet the growing demand for educational support.

Education is a fundamental building block for a good quality life, which is why equitable access to educational resources in the Greater Nashua community is a primary focus for United Way. The Learn United program continuously seeks new volunteers with experience working with children or expertise in specific subjects to support students in the Greater Nashua area who need academic assistance.

Learn United is more than just a tutoring service, it’s a community effort to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. By providing free educational support, we are building a stronger, more equitable future for all students in Greater Nashua.

Whether you want to volunteer your time or seek tutoring support, Learn United welcomes you to be part of our community’s educational journey. Whether you’re a retiree with a passion for giving back or a high school student eager to help your peers, Learn United offers flexible volunteer opportunities for everyone. No teaching experience is required, just a willingness to support students and share your knowledge.

To get involved as a tutor or monitor, visit Volunteer Greater Nashua or contact UWGN at tutoring@unitedwaynashua.org with questions. To get information on how your student can join the Learn United Program, visit Learn United and complete the referral form.

The locations for tutoring sessions are as follows:

-Westwood Park YMCA at 90 Northwest Blvd.

-Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua at 1 Positive Pl.

-YMCA of Greater Nashua at 24 Stadium Dr.

-Nashua Police Athletic League at 52 Ash St.

-Salvation Army at 1 Montgomery Ave.

-Nashua Public Library at 2 Court St.

-United Way of Greater Nashua at 20 Broad St.

-21st Century Extended Day Program in the Nashua School District at 141 Ledge St.

· Merrimack YMCA at 6 Henry Clay Dr. in Merrimack