Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Macias.
Hi Angela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a career educator, I always wanted to provide my students with access to technology and set up an environment where they can freely explore STEAM concepts. Unfortunately, the school system doesn’t allow the freedom that most educators really want for their students. Additionally, there is not usually access to the latest technology.
After teaching in public schools for 12 years, I became a college professor and I train educators. I love helping aspiring teachers prepare for their future, but I saw another problem. Getting the right experience in which you can actually see and facilitate the learning process is challenging for young teachers. Most jobs that college students would have are in youth programs with rigid prescribed outcomes and don’t allow for true experimentation and creativity on the part of the instructor or the students.
I took these two problems from K-12 and higher education and worked with my partner, who is in the tech industry, to create a solution. The driving force behind the design of our center and everything we do is that learning should be fun. Scholars Collective is a small business run by educators and technology experts. We provide aspiring teachers with a job that allows them to bring their own interests and expertise with STEAM topics to facilitate learning in a less rigid environment. This results in an exciting experience for scholars who come to our after-school classes or camps.
One thing that makes us unique is that we embrace the use of videogames as a source of fun, friendships, and learning. This love for gaming is what spurs all sorts of passion for technology and STEAM-related learning. Unfortunately, many have bought into a false stigma associated with gaming. However, research indicates it is a great source of problem-solving, leadership, and friendships. In our center, gaming is supervised, and our staff teaches how to play safely in an inclusive environment. Starting in March, we will have Esports coaches on site to help those who are more competitive hone in their skills, but of all levels and interests are welcome! Some really want to pursue pro status of competition. Others simply want to play for fun and try out 3D printing or take an art class. We carefully selected our options based on youth interest because learning should be fun!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We opened at a time which we thought was the end of the pandemic, but as we all experienced, the resurgence really halted our growth. Fortunately, we have been able to weather that storm and are steadily growing since the pandemic ended.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Scholars Collective is a small business run by educators and technology experts. We provide educational enrichment to local youth and school districts. We are proud that our driving mission is to make learning fun. If it isn’t fun, we don’t do it. The great think about children is that if you give them enough freedom and access to educational opportunities, they will have fun. We also do our best to provide access to the latest technology so that our youth can grow in their passion for a high-tech future; despite the stigma, games are actually good for you!
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a very caring home that prioritized education, but we could not afford the latest technology. In fact, I did not have a computer until I was an adult. When I was in school, I was desperate to learn more about how to use them so I took typing class and joined the yearbook team so that I could use computers more. The access was not very modern. I seek to close the digital divide for youth and provide access to the latest technology so that children can have a higher baseline of knowledge when they go into college and careers.
Pricing:
- $30 flat rates for daily M-F after-school services
- $45 per day for camp
- $30 per day for Parents Night Out
- $10 hot meals can be purchased at the door
- $50 per session 1:1 tutoring
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aboutscholars.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scholarscollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScholarsCollective
