TAF e-news

Research shows that students perform better when they have teachers who look like them. But in the Pacific NW, TAF Academy and other schools are challenged by a dearth of teachers of color. That’s why the Martinez Foundation, which helps college students of color prepare to become teachers, teamed up with TAF. Martinez fellows are learning how to create and teach project-based lessons, and how to integrate STEM into all subjects, by teaching incoming and returning TAF Academy students this summer to prepare them for the upcoming year. We’ve even added a graduating Martinez fellow to TAF Academy’s permanent teaching staff! Carlito Umali will be teaching 6th grade humanities beginning this fall.

That’s a student’s rendition of binary numbers and gears – two things 1st-6th graders are learning about in robotics summer camp! We’ve teamed up with Community Day School Association to offer robotics to participants in the summer camps at area schools. Participants in Madrona built robots and learned about binary numbers. Another camp started at Maple Elementary in Beacon Hill this week. Better than doing crafts? We think so, and so do the kids: “My summer was awesome!!!” one student wrote. “And ever since I joined CDSA and Lego robotics was the best time of my life because I like hands on things to do.”

If you’re wandering around Lakewood Park in White Center and you don’t notice TAF’s new building, here’s why: it was designed to blend in with its green surroundings! It’s almost done, and we can’t wait to move in. Move-in is set for early September, but don't worry - it's not too late to leave a legacy for kids by buying a paver. Here’s what the building looks like now, so you can get excited about bringing your kids there to develop the STEM skills they’ll need for future success.