By Ross Pitcairn | Training Director
In the fall semester of 2017, we achieved our aims of scaling up gradually and further refining our processes. We trained and supervised 40 volunteers to teach 220 videolink classes at five sites in Anhui, Henan, Sichuan and Fengxian. That’s a total of 323 students. We also introduced better systems in terms of scheduling, communication and curriculum distribution, as well as investing in better Internet connections for our sites and more videoconferencing hardware and software equipment.
We acontinued to work with Bloomberg, whose Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and Princeton offices provide an excellent pool of motivated and talented volunteers for us. We are currently training over 20 new Bloomberg volunteers to add to our existing roster.
In spring 2018, we will continue to scale up gradually in terms of number of volunteers, students and sites. We are also embarking on an exciting new collaboration with the Chi Heng foundation, which we hope will be fruitful for both sides. We at Stepping Stones have the curriculum and expertise, Chi Heng have excellent resources and contacts, so our aim is to team up to provide more disadvantaged students with better quality English education. We will begin this semester in Nandawu school, Shancai County, Henan.
Regarding new sites, we are excited to be entering into a partnership with Taohuajiang school in Taojiang County, Hunan province. We have already worked with this school on other programs, including our rural trips and online teacher training, and they have always been extremely supportive of our mission.
To conclude, we are seeing signs that our program is gradually beginning to mature; we are fostering long-term relationships with like-minded sponsors and partners; we are increasing our roster of sites at a sustainable speed; and we are reaching more and more isolated and disadvantaged students then ever before.
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