Mattie Brown

Brown's "Trans-Generational Learning Exchange" brings second- through fourth-graders and seniors into the classroom together as co-learners. The seniors spend two full days per week in the classroom as students with the focus on reading, math, and technology. Each senior is assigned to a pod with three or four students for a period of four weeks, after which they rotate to work with a new pod. The project provides a realistic environment for seniors to learn while building a support system for students through caring adult models who can stress the importance of education. Students also realize that learning is a lifelong process and will see the seniors as a vital link to the past and future.