Our Mission Statement
Writing to Inspire Successful Education (WISE) fights generational poverty by promoting academic achievement through writing tutoring and mentorship of elementary school students in Houston’s Third Ward. By helping students reach grade-level reading and writing expectations, mentors encourage them to develop the enthusiasm and communication skills required for pursuing higher education.
WHO ARE WE?
We are a group of students from the University of Houston Honors College who tutor elementary school students in reading and writing. Our objective is to not only improve the reading and writing skills of our students, raise their college aspirations and better their test scores but to also facilitate future achievements through personal mentorship.
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How do we serve?
Only one out of every three students from poverty/low-income status families graduates with a college degree, and they do not receive the same level of writing instruction as students from more affluent backgrounds.
Mentors in the WISE program provide high quality, constructive, and consistent feedback to develop students’ writing skills that match their affluent peers, and giving them a better chance at getting into and finishing college.
Face-to-face Tutoring
WISE mentors primarily engage in face-to-face instruction. These sessions can involve editing essays, working through practice tests, or helping with homework.
We expect all mentors to be present and prepared for all in-person tutoring sessions. In addition, we will occasionally have writing workshops and other events outside of weekly tutoring for mentors to serve and bond with their mentees.
Mentoring
We don’t just tutor – we mentor. We actively encourage conversation with our mentees about aiming for college because we want them to be passionate and motivated for their journey ahead.
We also plan fun events at our schools throughout the year so that our mentors and mentees get to know each other in a less formal environment.
Where Do We Serve?
P-STEM Academy
Mentors at P-STEM Academy work with one or two fourth-grade mentees in preparation for the STAAR writing exam. Each mentor attends in-person tutoring twice a week, working closely with our community partner to support individual student improvement.
WHY JOIN US?
Here's what our mentors are saying about WISE, a program that offers a sense of community, and personal and professional growth.
"I have gained a sense of community and belonging from WISE. WISE has given me the opportunity to put my energy into something worthwhile."
Tania Hameed
"It's a way that I can take a break from my studies and focus on my long-term goal of making a meaningful impact on the Third Ward community."
Michael Matthews
"WISE gave me the opportunity to share my skills of writing. It made me glad to know that the skills they learn now will help them in the long run."
Maite Albarran
"I've grown as a person and realized how much I enjoy helping my mentees. I've realized a lot of about myself I wouldn't have otherwise."
Emily Thundiyil
