Summer 2026
TLC, a nonprofit organization based in San Diego, provides equitable access to high-quality, innovative educational opportunities for marginalized students.
We’re glad to have you with us as we share stories, resources, and updates.
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It's been an action-packed, rewarding school year filled with smiles and fun and great learning for students, families and teachers alike. In spite of education budget cuts everywhere, TLC continues to make a real difference for the San Diego community.
To date, TLC programs, classes, and projects have served more than:
- 3400 K-12 Students
- 1300 Educators
- 1200 Family and Community Members
- 340 Undergraduates and Student Teachers
Please take a few minutes to see what TLC has been up to and what's on the summer horizon. Check out all of TLC's programs. As always, thank you for your interest and support.
Caren Holtzman, Executive Director
caren@tlcollab.org
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TLC Scholars: Graduation and Beyond
The TLC Scholars have shown resilience, determination, and creativity throughout the school year. The weekly meetings at TLC became an anchor for the students as they completed their schoolwork, applied for scholarships, looked for jobs, and planned for their futures.
Now high school graduates, the Scholars will continue their learning through the summer -- a trip to the zoo, paragliding, yoga class, surfing, and tennis - many activities that will be first-time experiences for the housing-insecure students. The Scholars' summer promises to be a balance of practical support for college and career transitions with a solid dose of San Diego summer fun. The summer session continues the encouragement, resources, and experiences that mean so much to the students.
The TLC Scholars program is a perfect example of TLC’s work to connect underserved students, educators, and community members in pursuit of academic success and joyful collaboration.
| | Students and their mentors formed deep, trusting bonds that will endure well into the future. | |
Local Leader Inspires
Real stories create real hope. In May, Lucky Duck Foundation Board Member Ben Schuster came to TLC to share his personal story of experiencing homelessness growing up — and the journey that led him to a successful business career today.
Ben’s honesty, resilience, and encouragement deeply resonated with the TLC Scholars. His message was a powerful reminder that circumstances do not define a person’s future — and that with support, opportunity, and people who believe in you, change is possible.
READ MORE...
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R’Monderick Has Big Plans
R’Monderick, a.k.a. R5, is one of TLC’s brilliant 2025-2026 housing-insecure TLC Scholars. R’Monderick graduated from San Diego High School with big plans. In the fall, he will attend CSU Northridge to pursue a degree in business with a real estate emphasis.
R’Monderick has earned awards, scholarships, and accolades - including being named 2026 San Diego High School Prom King! (Recall 2025 TLC Scholar, Blessing, who was prom queen last year. Of course correlation does not imply causation but we’re just saying…)
READ MORE...
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In Support of Military Families
Through Operation QUEST, TLC supports often overlooked and underserved students at seven elementary schools with high percentages of military-connected families. TLC tutors and educators provide academic support for students who often fall through the cracks due to mobility and other challenges for military families. TLC supports the academic and social-emotional needs of hundreds of students and their teachers.
TLC’s commitment to teaching excellence is on full display at the QUEST sites where students are off their screens and fully engaged in collaborative, active problem solving. One astute first grader observed during an estimation and data collection lesson, “Touching the tiles is so satisfying.” TLC’s work with the teachers and students helps these seven schools offer an enhanced sense of belonging for military-connected families, resulting in students who can envision a bright future.
| | Resources for Teachers and Families | |
Family Fun Builds Learning
All families engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) activities such as measuring ingredients while cooking, understanding plant biology in gardening, or constructing and repairing household items. Yet, too often, systemic barriers leave families from underserved communities feeling disconnected from STEAM learning.
What if we recognize the knowledge, skills, and cultural wisdom that families already bring into these spaces? By tapping into these rich experiences through hands-on, community-driven learning, we can reimagine STEAM education as a place where diverse ways of knowing are not just included but celebrated.
TLC hosts Gardening, Cooking, and Arts workshops for students and their families, encouraging hands-on STEAM learning that respects cultural ways of knowing in the learning process.
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Teacher Party!
Resources and support of teachers is a critical piece of TLC's model. Caren Holtzman, TLC Executive Director, co-wrote (with Rusty Bresser) a new book that helps children understand science through a social emotional learning (SEL) lens. Mel the Mealworm Who Saved the World is a science-packed read-aloud with lots of follow up activities and discussions. The book is a perfect way for diverse students to read, learn, and take action to protect the environment. TLC hosted a Teacher Party, inviting classroom teachers, researchers, and administrators to celebrate Mel, make professional connections, and bring the book and activities back to their schools. Participating teachers received a copy of the book and a “menu” of activities to try, such as testing which foods mealworms prefer, building mealworm houses, and observing mealworm behaviors (yes, with live mealworms). Download your copy today!
| | Building Infrastructure for Education | |
Building Bridges: Research Practice Partnerships
TLC continues to work closely with educators from UC San Diego in order to blaze a trail of innovative collaborations between cutting-edge researchers and highly motivated classroom teachers.
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Theory of Change in Education
Are you interested in learning about practical, research-backed insights from education professionals? Visit the TLC Blog and read about our educational foundations and how we operationalize our innovative, research-based approach to joyful and equitable learning for all.
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...to the families who trust TLC with their students, the teachers who work to create outstanding learning opportunities, and the researchers and community partners who work with TLC to create effective and innovative education environments for underserved students.
TLC's work is local, innovative, and essential. Your support has a huge impact. Thank you for giving what you can today!
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