On Tuesday, April 1, TGR Foundation opened the TGR Learning Lab on the Cobbs Creek Golf and Education Campus, becoming one step closer to providing a safe, inspiring space for students in the area to learn and grow.
I grew up in Ardmore, PA, and I was an English major at Haverford College. One weekend I visited my older sister, Emily, who was a Teach for America educator in Atlanta, and I fell in love with her role as an instructor. I followed in her footsteps and taught high school English in Newark, New Jersey. I then served nine years as the principal of Overbrook Educational Center, a K-8 public school, across the street from the Cobbs Creek Campus, before transitioning to TGR Foundation.
Opportunity For Impact
The number one reason I decided to join the team was the opportunity to have a bigger impact and serve youth from a host of schools across the city. When I flew out to California and saw the flagship TGR Learning Lab Anaheim, I was awestruck. Nothing like it existed in our city. I could envision the facility in West Philadelphia serving more students.
My experience as a principal and as an educator has been helpful because I have learned valuable lessons, including that parents want the best for their kids, students are extremely bright and creative and what is needed most is opportunity.
I speak with young people daily. When I inquire about their plans post high school, the majority of students are uncertain of their next steps. Providing as many opportunities as possible for kids to explore their interests and to empower them is what I’m most excited about to be able to offer.
Our goal from the start has been to be an embedded part of the community. We didn’t wait for the Learning Lab to open before engaging students and families. From day one, we made sure to host student and parent focus groups, attend Back-to-School Nights and parent meetings, speak at local council meetings and share information with school leaders and neighbors.
Proof In The Programming
Through pre-launch programming including after-school tutoring, mobile workshops and Community Fests, we served more than 5,700 students and families with support from over 130 volunteers before we opened our doors. In the first two weeks we have already hosted 675 students and families at our new home.
It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Watching students engage deeply in experiments, ask thoughtful questions and bring fresh perspectives has been truly inspiring. Their enthusiasm and curiosity reaffirm my passion for the mission of the TGR Foundation.
Our priority is ensuring students have a clear path to a career or college that’s aligned with their interests. That’s why we’re on the ground every day – so young people who want and deserve these opportunities know they exist.
If given the opportunity, any child can succeed. Our goal is to listen, understand and to determine what the needs are in our community. We are working closely with our public schools, Catholic schools and charter schools. There are ten elementary schools and 19 high schools within a one-mile radius of the campus. We want to be true partners to our local schools.
We provide experiences that support what they are learning in school, empower them with resources and give them a place to explore. You can’t be what you can’t see. Every program we offer is connected to a career and we are thrilled to be able to provide learning experiences that show clear paths to post-secondary success.
From digital photography to forensics, psychology to robotics, personal development to self-reflection, our students are jumping in with curiosity and creativity—and it’s already shaping up to be a season of joy, growth and discovery.
I am deeply grateful for the support of my dedicated team, TGR Foundation, the Cobbs Creek Foundation, Troon, all of our donors, volunteers and advocates, as the partnerships we have make these transformative learning opportunities possible.
Recipe For Success
With almost 20 years of impact and more than 200,000 students served, TGR Foundation has built a recipe for successful expanded learning programs. We’re excited to continue adding to its legacy and equipping more students and educators with the support needed to drive transformation in more under-resourced communities.
Out of school time also has to be exciting, hands-on and different from school experiences. Students want to go to a place after school that’s enjoyable, where they have time to be with friends and to explore. If you have a safe place, good food, good music and amazing hands-on programs that are empowering and unique, students will attend. What’s most important, however, is the educators who deliver our programs.
Teachers matter. What I’ve observed at different schools is this; the sky is limitless if you have effective teachers, especially for students who have excellent teachers over multiple years in a row. Youth come to expanded learning programs because of staff. If they have positive relationships with adults who care for them, who they like and who they feel connected to and loved by, they will show up and engage in learning in a meaningful way.
We are providing youth a safe space, while also creating an opportunity for them to explore their interests, take courses, tinker in the makerspace and dream big.
At the end of our first week of after-school programming, several youth requested autographs from our educators. Celebrity status at the TGR Learning Lab was delightful to witness and further showcased the true impact of educators.
I am honored and grateful to be a part of the TGR Foundation team. We believe every student deserves access to quality educational programs that unlock their fullest potential. There are limitless ways that we can collaborate with families, students, schools, community organizations and the greater Philadelphia region to make magic happen.
Invitation To Youth Empowerment
If you are hardworking, positive, solutions-oriented and love kids, I encourage you to join us as a volunteer, guest speaker or in a position on our team. We need positive, uplifting people to empower the next generation.
In addition to STEAM programming, on Saturdays we host students and families for community events and open exploration days in our makerspace. We also will be open on the first Friday of each month as a positive space for teens to gather and have fun together with our team.
I’m looking forward to many more days of fostering a safe, inspiring environment where students can learn, grow and prepare for their futures.
For more information on upcoming program sessions, events and opportunities to get involved visit Philadelphia.TGRLearningLab.org.
Meredith Foote is the executive Director of the TGR Learning Lab Philadelphia. A Pennsylvania native, Foote earned her bachelor’s degree from Haverford College. She continued her education at Teachers College, Columbia University where she earned a Master of Education and a later earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Foote joined TGR Foundation with more than 17 years of experience in education. She began her career with Teach for America as a high school teacher and went on to serve as the chief innovation officer for Camden Street School in Newark, New Jersey. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was the principal of Overbrook Educational Center, a leading Community School in Philadelphia, where she led significant improvement in student achievement. Click here to connect with her on LinkedIn.
