Jumpstart: Where College Students Fuel Preschool Potential

Image Courtesy of Gaby Pereira-Ruano

By Francesca Jonica

When contemplating your child’s educational journey, are you concerned that, upon starting school, your child might lag behind and struggle to catch up? Do you hope to ensure that they stay ahead of the curve? If these questions resonate with you, look no further than Jumpstart, an innovative program dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning.

You may be wondering, “What is Jumpstart?” This dynamic nonprofit organization is committed to recruiting and training college students to deliver high-quality early childhood education in underserved preschools. Collaborating with AmeriCorps and nearly 100 universities across the nation, Jumpstart provides language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschoolers. 

Since its 1993, Jumpstart has made remarkable strides, training over 50,000 college students and volunteers from 64 colleges across 15 states. This network has positively impacted more than 123,000 preschool children nationwide. With a dedicated team of over 4,000 AmeriCorps Federal Work-Study tutors each year, Jumpstart is paving the way for a brighter future in early education.

At institutions like The Catholic University of America, enthusiastic college students seize the opportunity to participate in Jumpstart for work-study or volunteering. After undergoing rigorous training, these students are organized into groups based on their schedules and assigned to one of the four schools that Jumpstart collaborates with Catholic U: Noyes Elementary, Burroughs, Langdon, and Marie Reed.

At Catholic U, Jumpstart deploys seven teams of four to six students to five different schools, dedicating two hours to nurturing the potential of our future scientists, artists, and innovators. Through interactive reading sessions and other activities, they help these little learners expand their vocabulary and ignite a lifelong love for learning. 

Sarah Lilian, Catholic U Jumpstart Site Manager Sarah Lilian commented on the program’s essence. 

“It provides teaching and learning opportunities for college students and young kids. We help ensure that students from low-income families are prepared for kindergarten.”

Jumpstart encompasses more than just the students and site managers; it also includes a dedicated support system behind the scenes. One key player at Catholic U is junior social work major Gaby Pereira-Ruano, serving as a Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC). Pereira-Ruano’s role is crucial in arranging activities and overseeing groups of Jumpstart members, ensuring that the early education curriculum is implemented effectively within the preschool settings.

Pereira-Ruano finds her role within Jumpstart immensely rewarding. 

“There are many things that go on behind the scenes for the Jumpstart members to feel prepared in going into the classrooms and teaching the kids,” Pereira-Ruano said. “Being a helping hand for them feels rewarding.” 

The impact of Jumpstart extends to the students who participate. Gaby shares, “They get to grow in their social skills, community bonding, and individual perspectives on what it means to be a teacher. With these skills, they become more independent individuals. ” This collaborative effort not only enriches the preschoolers’ lives but also fosters a deep sense of empathy and understanding among the college students.

Jumpstart volunteers and work-study students dedicate over 300 hours a year to support the children. While the minimum requirement is 300 hours, many students go above and beyond, investing additional time in organizing materials for each lesson and forming lasting friendships with their teammates. This dedication not only enhances the educational experience for the children but also creates a strong community among the volunteers, fostering connections that last well beyond their time in the program. 

So, if you find yourself worrying about your child’s educational future, take heart. With an increasing number of college-aged individuals stepping up to help, initiatives like Jumpstart are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow for our children. Jumpstart empowers young learners and aspiring educators by fostering an environment of learning, growth, and community, ensuring the future is filled with promise and potential.