Rachel Peck

My work at City Year Chicago as a Student Success Coach during the COVID-19 pandemic helped me develop many skills and attributes through experience. For example, on a weekly basis I supported 40 students in gaining access to remote learning through phone calls home to parents/guardians for technology access assessment daily. I worked 1-1 with a CPS 6th grade literacy teacher to create and curate lesson plans that operated effectively in the virtual landscape. On starting with City Year I immediately had to become adaptable to a fast-paced environment that changed drastically month to month. With my team of fellow success coaches, we fostered a positive school climate through 4 SEL (social-emotional learning) campaigns, involvement in parent-teacher conferences, and hosting both in person and virtual events to celebrate students. Out of 32 City Year partnerships at City Year Chicago, my team ranked in the top three for minutes of small group student support time. This demonstrates both my resiliency as a new educator and my ability to work and support a team that ultimately achieves our goals within our school community.