After graduating from Whitman University in 2012 with a degree in Biology, Abbey McGrath decided to stay in Walla Walla to pursue the opportunity to work with middle school students as a GEAR UP tutor in the AVID program.  While she plans to continue her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner in pediatrics, she currently spends her mornings working with the 7th and 8th grade AVID students at Garrison Middle School.

In January, Abbey will have been an AVID tutor through the GEAR UP program for one year.  When asked about her favorite part of working with the students at Garrison, Abbey stated, “My favorite part about working with students at Garrison is encountering diversity in the student population and guiding students to recognize and value other students' individuality as well as their own.”

Abbey is no stranger to diversity.  While she was raised in Seattle, she lived with her family in Germany for several years, and this is what fostered her love for diverse cultures.

One of Abbey’s favorite parts of the AVID way is tutorials.  She stated that she loves to see students “break out of their shells” to help each other and celebrate the successes they get out of the process.  Abbey also believes the AVID gives middle school students structure, support, and great resources, but most importantly AVID holds students accountable to do their own critical thinking.

When asked to discuss how she sees AVID benefiting college students, Abbey said, “When I first entered college, I wasn't adept at collaborating with others and suspending my own beliefs to consider the validity in others' opinions. The focus in AVID on critical thinking and collaboration begins college preparation for middle school students. For example, even the structure of the AVID classroom promotes skills necessary for success in higher education and careers. With multiple college tutors in each classroom, students engage with more adults of different ages than the average middle school student, which helps them build the ability to interact and collaborate with adults, supervisors, and professors.”

Big thanks to Abbey for her work with the AVID students at Garrison Middle School.  She is clearly a wonderful addition to the AVID program, and a huge portion of what makes the GEAR UP program beneficial to Garrison students.

The shortest month of the year, was filled with two unique leadership opportunities at Garrison Middle School. The first was a service learning project organized between the GEAR UP sponsored WEB program at GMS in partnership with Blue Ridge Elementary Kindergarten teachers. The other was an opportunity for current 8^th grade WEB leaders and teacher nominated 7^th grade leaders to participate in activities to improve their community and culture at Garrison with Stu Cabe.

The trip to Blue Ridge was filled with excitement for our 8^th grade WEB leaders as well as the kindergarten students. On the bus Garrison students broke into their groups as they prepared their materials which included: Dr. Seuss books, notes, Ritz crackers, life savers, frosting, napkins, paper plates, and plastic silverware. The students then broke into the four classrooms; two Spanish speaking classes led by our dual language program students and two English speaking kindergarten classes. The student leaders made edible Dr. Seuss hats with the kindergartners who had some interesting conversations with their leaders. After their creations were finished the students ate them while our leaders read them a Dr. Seuss book. The Blue Ridge staff was impressed and grateful for our student leaders for working with their students and supporting the importance of reading. It was almost all student led from the moment the students walked in, which is a credit to the student leaders and the staff at Garrison Middle School.

GEAR UP Partnered with Garrison Middle School to bring in Stu Cabe, a specialist in developing positive school climate and culture, returned to Garrison to work with teacher nominated 7^th graders who have shown leadership development throughout the 1^st semester and the current 8^th grade WEB leaders. His topic focused on bullying and its newest form, which is technology from Facebook to texting. Stu Cabe’s ability to teach or advise through activities and questions led to discussions and reflections on what issues students face with peers, teachers, and their families. Students left with a great experience as the 7^th graders were excited about the opportunity to improve to become a WEB leader next year and the 8^th graders got a fresh perspective on their roles as a leader in Garrison Middle School.

On Friday February 1st, the 7th and 8th grade AVID students from Garrison Middle School embarked on a journey to La Grande, Oregon to visit the campus of Eastern Oregon University.  Lead by AVID teacher Mike Braddock, school counselor Kristen Graber, GEAR UP Student Achievement Specialist Ryan Engel, and GEAR UP Academic Specialist Justin James, the student received more than just your average college visit.

After arriving at EOU, the students were taken on guided tours that included a view of many of the different facilities that EOU has to offer.  This included a look into the some different classrooms, auditoriums, the fitness center, and last but not least, a dorm room.  Following the guided tour, the students were given a presentation by Admissions Counselor, Janet Macias.   She spoke to the students about the college admissions process and how their actions as high school students will impact their collegiate future.  She also spoke about financial aid, scholarships, and the fact that students from Washington are eligible for in state tuition at EOU.  But the fun did not stop there…

While they enjoyed their pizza dinner courtesy of GEAR UP, the students had the opportunity to ask questions to the players on the #1 ranked EOU Men's Basketball Team.  The questions varied from “Why did you choose EOU?” To “Who do you think is going to win the Super Bowl?”  Following the interview, the students headed to the arena to watch the #5 Lady Mountaineers basketball game.  Following that game, the students also "grilled" the Lady Mountaineers with their questions before heading back to the gym to catch the start of the Men's Basketball game.  This trip helped give the students a true perspective of all that college has to offer.