Unity Learning Communities

The Unity Learning Community is an innovative after-school tutoring program designed by The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Tremaine Brown. Our mission is to address educational disparities faced by children experiencing poverty in the North Heights Neighborhood of Amarillo, Texas, with a specific focus on supporting students during the critical transition from 5th to 6th grade.

The Warford Center

Held at the Warford Community Center: A Hub for Learning and Growth

The Unity Learning Community is fortunate to operate within the Warford Community Center, a state-of-the-art facility that provides an ideal environment for experiential learning. The center's amenities include:

  • Indoor Swimming Pool: Offers opportunities for water safety education and physical fitness activities.

  • Multi-use Aerobic/Dance/Fitness Studio: Enables diverse physical education and creative expression programs.

  • Weight and Cardio Room: Promotes health and wellness education.

  • Gymnasium: Provides space for team sports and large group activities.

  • Classrooms: Offer dedicated spaces for focused tutoring and group projects.

  • Kitchen: Allows for nutrition education and culinary skill development.

  • Gardens: Enable hands-on learning about nature, sustainability, and biology.

  • Playgrounds: Provide safe outdoor spaces for physical activity and social interaction.

  • Game Room: Offers opportunities for social skill development and cognitive challenges.

These varied resources allow us to create a rich, multifaceted learning environment that caters to different learning styles and interests. By leveraging these facilities, we can provide our students with diverse experiential learning opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom instruction.

Program Overview

The Unity Learning Community will operate at the Warford Community Center, offering personalized tutoring and comprehensive support to students in 5th and 6th grade for two years.

Our program integrates academic instruction with social-emotional learning, physical wellbeing, and creative expression.

Focus on Transition

We have identified the transition from elementary to middle school as a particularly challenging period for many students, often resulting in academic struggles and decreased engagement. Our pilot program specifically targets this crucial transition, providing support as students move from 5th to 6th grade. By focusing on this pivotal time, we intend to:

  • Ease the academic and social challenges associated with entering middle school

  • Maintain and improve academic performance during this transition

  • Build confidence and resilience to help students navigate new environments

  • Provide continuity of support across the elementary to middle school divide

Program Structure

Four master teachers will serve as Thought Partners and Advocates in a 1:3 ratio.

  • Students will complete five initial challenges to help design targeted programs addressing their specific learning needs, socio-economic realities, and mental health considerations.

  • The program will focus on brain function, learning processes, pattern recognition, and social realities to develop individual solutions.

  • Special attention will be given to preparing 5th graders for the transition to middle school and supporting 6th graders as they adjust to their new academic environment.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of our program, offering numerous benefits to young learners:

  • Enhanced Engagement: Hands-on experiences make abstract concepts tangible and relevant, increasing student interest and participation.

  • Improved Retention: By actively engaging with the material, students are more likely to remember and understand what they've learned.

  • Skill Development: Experiential learning fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

  • Real-World Application: Students can see how their learning applies to real-life situations, making education more meaningful.

  • Holistic Development: This approach promotes not only academic growth but also social, emotional, and physical development.

Key Personnel

  • Dr. Shona Rose, PhD - Education Lead
    Dr. Rose, with a PhD in Literacy, Diversity, and Language from Texas Tech University, has developed the innovative "Learning on Display" model that forms the foundation of our tutoring approach. This model demonstrates that effective teaching stems from successful displays of student reading and writing, allowing teachers to refine their practices based on student responses. Dr. Rose's expertise will be crucial in designing strategies to support students through the 5th to 6th grade transition.

  • Tremaine Brown - Founder and Executive Director
    A prominent community leader in Amarillo, Tremaine brings his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic experience to oversee the program's vision and community engagement.

  • Jacob Breeden - Project Manager, Experiential Programming and Arts
    With over 20 years of experience in fine art, education, and marketing, Jacob ensures the smooth operation and creative direction of the Unity Learning Community.

Reach Out

Here at The Vessel we believe in the power of education. We are in the early stages of development with a program that intends to provide outside of school mentoring and tutoring services to our area’s kids. We are seeking the input of parents, teachers, advisors, counselors, or administrators.

If you are interested in getting involved, please head back to our homepage and fill out the appropriate form. We look forward to hearing from you!