'Life Changing' Mobile Classroom Is A Success So Far: DeKalb County School District

DEKALB COUNTY — A “classroom on wheels” launched last month in the DeKalb County School District and since then, it’s been nothing but successful, said Marcia Coward, family and community empowerment manager.

“It's life changing,” Coward said. “The ability to meet parents where they are on any given day is so impactful.”

In an effort to bring education to marginalized communities, the Mobile Impact Learning Hub is equipped with a library, computers, internet access, desks, and study nooks for students and their families for free. The district is introducing “Mobile Mondays” beginning in November. To kickoff the new engagement event, the school district is planning to partner with local officials such as DeKalb County District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

'Meet them where they are'

The school district announced at the beginning of the academic year that families could continue virtual learning. For those who opted out of in-person learning, this resource is needed in some communities, Coward said.

“We wanted to use this opportunity to meet them where they are,” she said. “We have a lot of families who have transportation issues. And some are not available during the school day. So that's why it is great for us to be able to go out after school and on weekends.”

The goal is to allow students and adults to pursue education goals by removing the barrier of getting to a school campus.

There are families who need technological assistance with computers and phones, Coward said. The district uses a software program called Infinite Campus, which allows parents to connect with their children’s learning. It’s used for grades, report cards, assignments and communicating with teachers.

“We're going out and ensuring that our families are connected,” she said. “We’re showing them how to access Infinite Campus.”

Principals and community leaders can request the mobile classroom, Coward said.

So far, the feedback over the last month has been positive.

“The communities love that we're coming to them and they love the fact that we have created a space that is warm and welcoming,” Coward said. “They’re excited about the resources that we’re bringing.”

Her vision is to one day expand the program and have “many” mobile classrooms across the district.

“At the end of the day, if we can go out in the community and meet our students for tutoring, for coaching, for simple social emotional support, in their own communities, it makes for a better student that's going to show up for school,” Coward said.

This program supports social-emotional learning and really addresses the needs of the whole child, she said.

“To me, we've started a movement, and not just for us educators, but a community movement,” Coward said. “We may not be able to take a building into a community, but we absolutely can take a mobile unit to bring the support our families need.”