Love of reading nurtured for middle school ‘scholars’ at Freedom Schools

CEDAR RAPIDS — Scholars — students — at Freedom Schools say the summer program is a safe place where the love of reading is nurtured, confidence is gained, friends are made and teachers demonstrate how to regulate emotions.

The program operated by Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids has proved results, with an average increase in reading scores among scholars in the program one year and five months, according to data from Tanager Place.

There are 60 rising sixth through eighth-graders this summer in the programs fourth year, which is held at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy. Scholars read almost eight books over the course of the six-week summer program, which ends Friday.

Students both self-identify for the program -- open to students throughout the Corridor -- and suggested by their teachers.

Scholars start their day with Harambee, a time where they gather in a circle to chant, sing and display “radical enthusiasm,” said Crystal Hall, Director of Community Based and Prevention Programs at Tanager.

“The kids might be tired, might not be coming from the most positive home situations, so if we can surround them with enthusiasm and connection and relationships, it really sets the tone for the rest of the day,” Hall said.

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Recognizing scholars ‘daily for the hard work’

Jordan Pinckney, project director and site coordinator of Freedom Schools of Tanager Place, leads Harambee daily, incorporating celebrations of what students are accomplishing at Freedom Schools.

“Every day, staff and I discuss our beautiful scholars and the highs and lows of our day,” Pinckney told the scholars during a Harambee last month. “I want you all to know every single one of you are obviously investing in this program, and we’re seeing your hard work. You’re getting recognized almost daily for the hard work you guys have put in. Just know you guys are not invisible, you’re not forgotten, you’re not left out, you’re not the least of these.”

The energy Pinckney brings to Harambee — smiling, dancing, cheering loudly — is not his preferred state of being, he said. But he brings his “childish self” to Freedom Schools every day to better relate to the scholars.

At Freedom Schools on July 9, Pinckney recognized a scholar in front of his peers for the time and effort he put into finishing a chapter book. His peers responded by chanting words of encouragement and drumming loudly.

Last year, this scholar “came in with a first grade reading level maybe,” Pinckney told The Gazette later. Now, he’s reading chapter books and taking pages of notes on what inspires him. “It’s not about being the best reader. It’s about having the confidence you can do something,” he said.

Funding uncertainty ahead

Freedom Schools of Tanager Place could lose 20 percent of its funding if grants for 21st Century Community Learning Centers are not reinstated by the federal government, Hall said.

Almost $8 million in 21st Century grants is being withheld from Iowa from as part of a review to ensure grants align with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

No immediate changes are being made to current 21st Century grant contracts or operations administered by the Iowa Department of Education for fiscal year 2026, which began July 1 and ends June 30, 2026, The Gazette reported last month.

Hall said beyond fiscal year 2026, Tanager Place is planning for “worst case scenario.”

“Tanager Place has a fantastic grant writer dedicated to helping us fund this program,” she said. The funding that could be lost from the 21st Century grant is “significant, but it’s not detrimental at this point.”

Incentives for participation, effort

An anonymous donor this year provided $5,500 worth of prizes to Freedom Schools, Pinckney said. Scholars can “buy” the prizes through “scholar dollars” they earn through participation, engagement, effort, being kind, cleaning without being told or anything “outside of their norm,” he said.

“We try to catch as many details as we can, so it gives us opportunities to address, ‘Hey, you did something awesome.’ I want to be very specific and very intentional because this whole program is incentive-based, whether it’s with words or rewards, everything has to have a purpose,” Pinckney said.

Casey’s has provided about $20,000 worth of food to the program, and many scholars are able to take food home to their families daily, Pinckney said.

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Program teachers plant seeds

Freedom Schools is staffed by student leader interns — often college students studying social work or psychology — who are classroom teachers for the summer. Like Pinckney, they all said it’s important for them to tap into their inner child to better relate to the scholars.

These interns come from diverse backgrounds and help scholars envision themselves as future college students, advocates and leaders.

Pinckney tells the interns that they probably won’t immediately see the difference they’re making in the scholar’s lives.

“I want these kids to have so many seeds planted in their hearts from what you’re teaching and guiding them through that 20 years from now you’ll hopefully see something very special that you did. You won’t be able to see that change tomorrow. It takes daily effort,” Pinckney said.

Tyquirra Moore, 22, said as an intern she brings her “whole self” to Freedom Schools. “Be authentic in how you show up because they receive that really well, and it helps them show up as their authentic selves,” she said.

Moore said the curriculum at Freedom Schools is different from what’s taught in a traditional classroom. “We have in-depth conversations about racism, Civil Rights and other social issues not homed in on during the school year,” she said.

“Freedom Schools is the best program ever,” said Moore, who graduated from the University of Iowa this spring with a degree in social work.

Engaging scholars in multicultural curriculum

The curriculum provides multicultural books with engaging content that scholars can relate to focusing on empowering stories of the accomplishments of people of color throughout history.

Freedom Schools is a program by the Children’s Defense Fund designed to increase literacy, self-esteem, socio-emotional skills and a love of learning. Through a research-based and multicultural model, the Freedom Schools program inspires scholars to believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, their families and their communities.

The program encourages scholars to embrace their cultural history.

The CDF Freedom Schools program is rooted in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project, which provided a reading and humanities curriculum of English, art, creative writing, math, and science to diverse students.

The program is offered at more than 100 sites across the U.S. Tanager Place was the first to offer the program in Iowa in 2021.

‘Demonstrating’ how to regulate emotions

Abby Bartz, 21, who is studying social work at the University of Northern Iowa, said she is learning more about the history of Black Americans as a teacher intern.

“I grew up in a predominantly white high school. The history lessons were white focused and didn’t go in-depth. My favorite part of this is learning more about the Black community.” Bartz said.

Ari Clayborn, 27, is an intern with Freedom Schools in the summer and special education paraprofessional at Roosevelt during the school year.

Clayborn said she’s a student leader intern “who cares” at Freedom Schools, and it creates a different dynamic than teachers and students have during the school year. “It really opens them up to be vulnerable to receive more and connect with the kids better than being an authority figure,” she said.

Clayborn said the scholars frequently see her demonstrating patience and enthusiasm.

“Kids don’t want to wait on feeling better,” Clayborn said. “But if you can see someone actively doing that it gives them a better perspective on how to handle themselves, and I think that is one of the ultimate goals here.”

Starting her day with Harambee “wakes me up in the morning,” Clayborn said. “If I get here and I’m dragging, all I’ve got to do is hear a drum and a few screams. I’m up, I’m ready. I can come in here feeling ‘blah,’ but if I put in the energy to change my mood, I can and have a better feeling or a better day.”

“I’m demonstrating it for the kids,” she said.

Freedom Schools after-school program at Roosevelt

Freedom Schools also is an after school program at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy. It is operated by Tanager Place and is the only after school Freedom Schools program remaining, Hall said.

During the school year, about 40 students in the program meet daily for literacy development, to receive tutoring and homework help

Pinckney said it’s still going because of the “really great, strong partnership with the Cedar Rapids Community School District.”

During the 2024-25 school year, scholars in the after-school Freedom Schools program read 1,200 books, six of which were chapter books.

Tanager Place is a nonprofit in Cedar Rapids that provides services to children and families challenged by social, behavioral and psychological needs. It works with more than 5,000 children a year in Linn and Johnson counties and in southeast Iowa.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com