Beyond Math and Geography
We offer free complementary education to people in social risk.
We bring those who love teaching to those who love learning.
About You
About You
First Name
Paulo
Last Name
Rocha
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
http://www.facebook.com/#!/EducadoresSemFronteiras
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Educadores sem Fronteiras (Educators Without Borders)
Organization Website
Organization Country
Brazil, SP, São Paulo
Country where this project is creating social impact
Brazil, SP, São Paulo
Is your organization a
Non‐profit / NGO / Citizen sector organization
Your role in Education
Teacher.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Other
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Established (past the previous stages and has demonstrated success)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
According to UNESCO, Brazil occupies the 88th place in Education. 8th graders have problems to read and execute simple math operations. Public schools show bad results. It’s our goal to offer a different way of teaching, bringing a personal touch, fun and respect for the student. A method that public schools can easily embrace.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
We bring a new way of teaching. Opportunities democratization is our goal. Classes have 10 students or less; respect for the student; humour, a friendly and relaxed environment; we only move ahead when all learned. We help our students to achieve the dream of the admission to the public universities. We work to improve their self-esteem and make them aware about their role as citizens. Our solution will be completed when we share this new way with the public schools in Brazil. Students must be at the formal school and we don’t charge for the classes.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
At ESF (Educators Without Borders), students come if they want. Frequency is higher than 90%. Classes have 10 students or less. A Geography class can go through History and Chemistry. Tests are used to evaluate the teachers. No one is left behind. Subjects move ahead when everybody understood. Theatre and Music Workshops help to make each student aware of his role in life and society. We give no diplomas. Admission criteria: to be in the formal school and have a lot of will power. Students recover their self-esteem and many are approved to technical schools and public universities. Students praise the fact we care about them as human beings, not numbers. And the interesting way we present each subject that stimulates them to study. They enjoy the classes and are approved at the exams.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
We’re talking about helping people. So we don’t see other organizations as competitors.
Many NGO’s in Brazil work to develop teenagers professional skills. But they don’t cover the huge educational gaps. Others try to reinforce what formal schools teach. We’re different. We complement what formal school teaches at the student rhythm. And as we are not tied to schedules, we can guarantee that all students learn. A challenge for us: show we don’t provide just “reinforcement classes” with the same mistakes of the formal school.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
We offer free complementary education to people in social risk.
We bring those who love teaching to those who love learning.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
We learn how to teach and teach how to learn. From Peace to Math, from Citizenship to Geography.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
So far we helped more than 200 students, in 2 units. Many got the highly pursued seats at Tech Schools. Some were approved at Public Universities. Students improved their self-esteem; some parents were so impressed they started studying with us. We treat students as friends, as human beings with a lot of potential. Not as problems to be solved or numbers in statistics.
Students help each other. A girl approved at a Public University came back as a teacher, to share her knowledge.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
We expect to have our 3rd unit, have 240 students and help the development of innovative educational ideas at public schools.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
In the next 6 months, we will duplicate the number of educators, and we’ll edit our materials in digital form.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Duplicate the number of professional educators. Select and train them.
Task 2
Organize and edit our teaching materials in electronic midia, so we can replicate the classes and share knowledge.
Task 3
Update our institutional site / Facebook page.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Our educators preparing new educators without borders and new educators for the formal school
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Raise funds to organize workshops to share our technologies
Task 2
Execute the workshops
Task 3
Evaluate and share the results; become a reference for the formal school.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
Nadia lives in a violent area in the outskirts of São Paulo. When she was not approved at the State University, she felt deceived, she had never learned what was asked on the tests.
Working two jobs, without anyone to help her, no time, no computer, and after trying for 15 years, she was approved at the State University.
She and some friends realized the need to help other students who, like Nadia, need to surpass, with their tenacity, the difficulties required to attain a University seat. That was the start of “Educadores sem Fronteiras” (Educators without Borders); its mission is to provide complementary education to students who strive for a better future. They saw the need of a place where good and caring teachers, could, at no cost, help students at social risk.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Today we have the support of 5 private companies.
We intend to expand our network, articulate with private companies and Government (regional and national)
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
We need teachers and people to carry on marketing and fund-raising activities. We look for people with passion, with a spark in the eyes. People who understand our action is about love, respect and citizenship. People who understand our action goes beyond Math and Geography classes.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
We need financial support. We need to spread our news. Networking is key for our growth.
At the same time, we are eager to share our knowledge, our experience and our networking to help other people/organizations with the same passion for the cause.
 | 60 weeks ago Paulo Rocha updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago Paulo Rocha updated this Competition Entry. |
| 60 weeks ago Paulo Rocha submitted this idea. |
