Winter Newsletter

The Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) is a nonprofit organization based in San Diego that provides equitable access to high-quality, innovative educational opportunities for marginalized students.

Message from the TLC President

Email Bailey

The new year is off to a great start! Thanks to so many of you who donated, TLC is offering more programs than ever, ensuring that underserved San Diego kids and families – and the teachers who work with them – will feel prepared for, and excited about, the future. We are especially excited about our new TLC space in the Art Produce building on University Avenue in North Park. We are planning gardening and cooking classes, teacher book group discussions, and mentor-student hangouts. We’d love to see you there. Be sure to pass this newsletter along to your friends and colleagues, I’m pretty sure TLC has something to offer them. Wishing you all the best for 2025!

Bailey Choi-Vanos, Ed.D

bailey@tlcollab.org

Program Updates

The Future Looks Bright:

High School Juniors and Seniors Plan Next Steps

Recent studies show that students who do not finish high school or get a GED are at 346% higher risk of becoming homeless. That risk increases for students who are already facing housing-insecurity. To address this need and to support bright and talented high school students in challenging circumstances, TLC has created the TLC High School Scholars program. Partnering with the Lucky Duck Foundation, this new program bolsters unaccompanied and housing-insecure high school students with academic support to ensure graduation, one-on-one help with developing a resume and finding a job, and community service opportunities to connect them to organizations and resources.

TLC Finds a Home in North Park!

Art Produce is a non-profit community cultural center that connects artists, cultural organizations, schools, urban farmers and businesses. Art Produce approached TLC in 2024 to become a full-time, active part of their mission to build community and foster civic engagement through arts, education and public culture.

Opportunities for Educators, Too

TLC’s active and ongoing connections with UCSD’s Department of Education create new opportunities for teachers and the practice of innovative education. TLC uses its new Art Produce space to host Educator Book Clubs which focus on important methodological approaches such as relational inclusion.

Jamelle Jones

We asked TLC Board Member Jamelle to respond to several questions to help the TLC community get to know her better. Check out her answers below:

Why are you drawn to TLC?

I am drawn to all things that disrupt the systems that perpetuate inequality. TLC is student-centered, teacher-centered, family-centered and community-centered all at once, with the goal of bringing high quality, educational opportunities and experiences to individuals who are least likely to have access within the current system.

What TLC event has been the most memorable or inspirational?

Whenever we have the chance to collaborate with other teachers I am always inspired! All teacher events are memorable because they ultimately lead to our being able to support more children.

As a teacher, what lesson do you want your students to walk away with?

I want my students to walk away knowing that their unique minds are brilliant enough to creatively solve problems, innovate, play, discover and engage in meaningful work.

What book are you currently reading?

I'm listening to "The True Nature of Reality" by Darryl Anka.

What kitchen appliance do you most identify with?

A grill.

What is your favorite shape?

A heart.

Artist Collaboration

TLC was delighted to collaborate with local artist Thao French of Mindful Murals to create two murals for its new Art Produce space.

Thao did a fabulous job of using her talents to communicate the vision and spirit of TLC. The new artwork not only awes and inspires, it helps identify us and new space in the neighborhood. Come check them out on the east side of the Art Produce Building (3139 University Ave, San Diego 92104). Go around the block on Herman Street to see the new TLC mural on the exterior wall and the new artwork around our main entrance in the garden area.

Recent Blog Posts

Want to take a deeper dive into our programs and innovative approaches to education? Check out our blog posts. Each post combines descriptions of our programs integrated with relevant educational topics. We’re delighted that our posts are being widely read and used in professional development and university settings.

Check out our blog here.

Thank You to Our Community!

We are grateful to all the talented students, teachers, mentors, families, partners and sponsors who make this important work happen.

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