Taking learning to the streets recently earned recognition for two Hamilton County teachers. Brittany Harris, an academic coach at East Brainerd Elementary, and Colleen Ryan, a teacher at Rivermont Elementary, received the Community Outreach Award at the CHI Memorial Heroes Luncheon sponsored by the American Red Cross. Harris and Ryan are the developers of “The Passage,” a mobile classroom that goes to children's neighborhoods to make learning accessible.
In April 2016, Harris and Ryan bought an old mini school bus with their own money and transformed the interior into a mobile classroom they called The Passage. Harris and Ryan saw a need for the parents to have more opportunities to be active in their children’s education and for children to have more opportunities for academic growth outside of the classroom.
"We feel like the best way for a student to learn is when they're having fun and excited about learning," said Ryan. “Building those relationships and connections with children as well as the community have been the most rewarding.”
The Passage has been helping students in Hamilton County for two years, and Harris and Ryan hope it will continue to help families for years to come. Grants and donations allow the two to provide the home learning service for free to children and their families. To donate to or get more information on The Passage, go to
https://www.thepassage423.org/.
Photo: L to R - Colleen Ryan and Brittany Harris with their awards at the CHI Memorial Heroes Luncheon