Partnership Spotlight: Brooks Insurance Agency & Walbridge School

When Jennifer Duffield began working as a Business Development Analyst for Toledo’s Brooks Insurance Agency in 2005, she did not realize she would also be developing young minds.  Jennifer learned that her employer works with Partners In Education, which facilitates connections between local companies and Toledo Public Schools.

Soon after starting her new job at Brooks, Jennifer was approached by a co-worker who asked “hey, would you like to be a tutor?”  Jennifer agreed to give tutoring a try at Walbridge Elementary, the south Toledo school that Brooks works with through Partners In Education.

Apparently that first tutoring experience went well.  The following school year, Jennifer agreed to become the coordinator of Brooks’ partnership with Walbridge.  Today as a brand-new Walbridge Elementary building undergoes construction, Jennifer continues to build on the achievements Brooks employees have helped Walbridge students make over the past few years.

Even though she coordinates the partnership for her employer, Jennifer continues to volunteer her time as a tutor at the school.  She remembers being excited from the moment she was asked to tutor – having briefly been an education major in college.  For those who may be intimidated by the prospect of becoming a tutor, Jennifer points out “we’ve never had a tutor quit once they’ve started tutoring.”  She says most tutors quickly figure out that the kids benefit even if it’s just the attention they are getting from a caring adult.

Each year, 10-15 Brooks employees volunteer 30-60 minutes per week to work with Walbridge students on math and reading skills, with the guidance of teachers working under Principal Teri Sherwood.  Ms. Sherwood became Principal at Walbridge shortly after Jennifer began tutoring at the school.  Brooks Insurance supports the partnership by allowing the volunteers to provide tutoring during the workday.  Jennifer says management is committed to playing a role in improving our local schools.

Principal Sherwood is convinced that her school’s partnership with Brooks Insurance has played a role in the academic improvement her students have achieved. “At Walbridge, test scores increased at almost every grade level. This happens because of the dedication of our Brooks tutors.”

While tutoring is the most important part of the Brooks/Walbridge partnership, the employees contribute in other ways that sometimes cause a race to the company’s break room bulletin board.  At holiday time, the school selects several needy families to receive gifts.  Brooks employees shop for the gifts, bring them to work and wrap them before delivering them to the school. 

Each May, 20 Brooks employees spend the day at Walbridge to help with Annual Field Day, guiding the children through running races and games that help bring the school year to a fun close. 
Jennifer says Brooks employees miss the interaction with children and teachers over the summer months.  By August, associates are asking how to sign up for the next school year even before the e-mail notice goes out to the staff. 

Dozens of partnerships like this one are thriving in Toledo Public Schools and central city schools of the Catholic Diocese.  If your company or organization would like help forming a partnership with a local school in need, call Partners In Education at (419) 242-2122.

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