EAST AURORA, NY (WKBW) — “They will come with their worksheet — their homework assignment they have to complete or a specific area they need to pass a test in,” replied Sarah Barber, owner, founder, Shaw Academic Institute, East Aurora.
Students are wrapping up their holiday break and it will be back to school work Monday, but that means back to a mix of in-school and remote learning.
Barber’s center offers services for school families tackle learning struggles during this pandemic.
“Students are doing so much virtual learning right now that they need that face to face time,” declared Barber.
For the past five years Barber, an education expert, has been providing a variety of educational services for students in K-through college in all subject areas.
Barber is getting a lot of calls from parents who want to send their child to her center for that extra in-person learning and tutoring because of so much remote learning.
“Right now, I’m finding that students are at least a few months behind — if not a whole year behind,” remarked Barber.
The Shaw Academic Institute in East Aurora says students are falling behind from remote learning. The center is working to help school families. Our story tonight at 5:30 @wkbw #ShawAcademicInstitute pic.twitter.com/FwpIwrUFSK
— eileen buckley (@eileenwkbw) January 1, 2021
With COVID restrictions, she can only accommodate ten students in-person. But for parents trying to navigate remote platforms, the center can help.
“I think we can get students where they need to be,” Barber said.
The program helps support some students in five school districts, including East Aurora and students who attend private schools in Buffalo.
“Many East Aurora students and Orchard Park, Iroquois, Holland, West Seneca and south Buffalo,” Barber noted.
“Sarah offering what she does — she takes the pressure off the parents — she actually knows the curriculum which parents do not,” explained Wendy Apln.
Aplin and CJ Andrews own Andrews Barber Parlor in East Aurora.
Andrews says a couple of years ago his son Dillon was struggling and the Shaw program helped him succeed.
“He went to east aurora high school and he has since graduated and he's on to bigger and better things now,” said Andrews.
“He would have not graduated. There's no way he would have graduated,” Aplin said.
The couple is such a big believer of the program, they promote it in their shop because so many clients come in frustrated with remote learning.
“I have so many that come in are just so frustrated and the pain in their eyes I can see it,” Andrews responded.
Barber shares that struggle. She's also a mother of three school-aged children. She says her youngest is having troubles with kindergarten virtual learning.
“That has been — very challenging for a five year old,” explained Barber.
The program cost $45 per hour, but scholarships are being offered for families who can't afford the extra, but much needed help.
