Chelsey Caldwell

Chelsey Caldwell

Meet Chelsey Caldwell

"I barely survived tenth grade. My grades were not good and I literally had to lock in completely the last three weeks of school in order to pass my classes." These were that last words anyone is expecting to hear from the mouth of high school camper, Chelsey Caldwell who registered for after school tutoring and homework help with the intentions of creating a better school year. She was seen as a sheer leader this summer by her peers and a sure-footed scholar by her instructors. She spoke with transparency and gratefulness about why she likes coming to Bridges After School.

"Bridges is a safe place to get work done without being distracted. I can get help when I am here. It's a bonus to continue learning with teachers I learned to appreciate over the summer." She continued, "Ms. Beasley is always willing to help. She is funny, easy to talk to, receptive of my personality and jokes and all around positive like me. All my life, I have been around older people as the only child. Beasley reminds me of my grandmother and makes me feel comfortable and open to make mistakes. Math be mathing! Sometimes when I am on my last brain cell, Ms. Beasley always comes in to save the day."

When asked if Summer STEAM had a positive impact of her studies this year, she responded, "This summer, we learned methods, strategies and content that prepared me for this year. I actually use the notes from this summer to help me in math class this year. I am more enthusiastic about class because I feel like I have already been exposed to the concepts that are going to be taught. Bridges Summer STEAM gave me different ways to see the problems. Generally, we use the methods that are taught by our teachers because that is what they give us. After the summer at Bridges, I have a tool belt of strategies that I get to choose from. There are many ways to solve one problem. I am glad I have options."

Enthusiastic is the word Chelsey used to describe Bridges because she said that all of the staff seem to want to be here. She is right in her assumptions. Ms. Beasley looks forward to seeing Chelsey each day as well. "She is so much more vocal than she was this summer. She didn't speak much this summer but she wrote down every thing I said. Now, she comes in after school, ready to talk about her day and then straight to business. She often runs down the things she has to do and then asks for a review on any math we have gone over. She wants to get things right, master them," said Beasley. Chelsey's mother, Ashley Caldwell echoed these sentiments and added, "She even wants to come here when she doesn't have homework. She wants to get ahead. Usually around this time of year I start to see where she has missing assignments. That's no longer the case. She is focused."

"Bridges holds me accountable. I have to write down all of my assignments when I get here to show my tutor. I know those things have to get done and I know that I have to do them well because someone is going to check behind me. If I don't do it right, they help me get it right. When I go home, I can go to sleep, watch Youtube or chill without that looming thought of things to do. This is the most relaxed school year I have had in high school. I know what I have to do, where to go get it done and who can help me do it well and completely."

Chelsey is currently set to receive honor roll this semester and moving forward. She is not afraid of hard work and welcomes challenges with the assurance that Bridges will be right there to fill the gaps.