Volunteers to help ease teacher layoffs

KXAN TV

Josh Hinkle

Updated: Feb 22, 2011 8:33 AM

As the Austin Independent School District faces the threat of increased class sizes and teacher layoffs, the nonprofit group Partners in Education is planning a way to put players back in the field.

“As these class sizes go up, we need to become more engaged as a community in the classroom, helping those teachers make sure every student gets exactly what they need,” said PIE Executive Director Kathrin Brewer.

Armed with a public service announcement featuring University of Texas Head Football Coach Mack Brown, the group is well on its way to promoting its program "Classroom Coaches" in mass.

"Being a coach means I get to work with some great kids, watch them grow and help guide them towards success,” Brown said in the piece. “But coaching doesn't only happen on the field. It also happens in the classroom."

About 1,600 volunteers from a vast realm of professions spread out across 32 AISD schools to help out with students, usually those suffering the most educationally. Volunteers are able to work on a 3-to-1 ratio with students.

"It can be a challenge,” said PIE Program Manager Jessica Carley, who is also a former teacher. “I think, even thinking about grading five more essays or what it means beyond even the ratio, but the work it involves. Our teachers work very hard."

State lawmakers such as Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, who once served on the Eanes ISD School Board and is a part of the Classroom Coaches program, said volunteers are crucial but can only do so much to fill the gap.

"Could they do more?” Howard asked. “Absolutely. Is it going to be enough to make an impact on the kinds of budget cuts we're talking about? No way."

The state budget cuts to education trickle down, not only hurting just districts but also programs like this. AISD is one of the primary donors for the 2,650 students coaches work with. Each student costs the program at least $250, with a lofty total of at least $660,000.

The group said it needs not only more classroom coaches but also money from donors. Along with one-third of its funding from AISD and one-third from the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the rest comes from private donations.

"We really are going to need the community to step up,” said Brewer.

The group will have a massive recruitment push in August. To find out more information, click here.

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