Anna Tinnerello: Walking with students on their journey
Meet Anna Tinnerello: She’s a mother to three kids, a runner, a lover of the shores of Lake Erie, and the Student Engagement Specialist at Buckeye Community School (BCS). With three schools in mid-Ohio, Buckeye is a dropout prevention and credit recovery public high school that offers alternative approaches to traditional high school.
As the Student Engagement Specialist, Anna has a unique position that could be compared to an on-site social worker. She really gets to know her students and helps remove any barriers in their life that could possibly prevent them from thriving and succeeding. Let’s hear from Anna in her own words:
What is your role at BCS?
I am a Student Engagement Specialist at BCS. In this role at Buckeye, we have the opportunity to work with students to overcome the obstacles and barriers making it difficult for them to be successful in school.
What does Student Engagement mean at BCS?
Student Engagement at BCS means a delivery of support and services which help our students in their journey to graduate and achieve their goals after high school. It means building a bridge for our students to a path of success at home, in their community, and at school. It is advocacy for our students’ needs. Student Engagement at BCS is about meeting our students where they are and walking with them in their journey to personal sustainability and growth.
What are your favorite aspects of the role?
There are so many aspects of this role that I love! I feel very fortunate to work along with the students and families to link them to agencies and organizations that can help them obtain things like stable housing, food assistance, or employment opportunities.
I enjoy seeing students at school and really like the flexibility my role can offer to go directly to the student at their home when needed.
Finally, I would like to say I get to work with an incredible team of staff at BCS who are dedicated to the success of our students and are always willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of our students.
How does this role at BCS fit your professional mission or experience?
It is my joy and my drive to work with students to achieve and be all that they can be. The Student Engagement Specialist role at BCS fits with my professional mission and core belief that every student must be supported to assist them in growing their self-confidence that they CAN BE and WILL BE anything they choose no matter their past disappointments or failures. They are valued at BCS and we believe in them!
Why do you want to work with this particular student population?
Since the beginning of my career in 1997, it has been a passion of mine to offer support and services to children and families. Our students are our future! Their resiliency is remarkable and their skills and abilities will take them far in this world. By helping our students face their challenges head-on, it is my hope they will be equipped with the skills they need to persevere as they move on to the next chapter in their life.
Anna and her family at East Harbor.
The Tinnerello Team completing a half-marathon.
About Buckeye Community School
At Buckeye Community School (BCS), we create positive educational experiences that empower every student to overcome personal challenges and pursue their unique goals. We meet the needs of the whole student in our productive, safe, and nurturing learning environment. Our high expectations for achievement and student success are matched by our commitment to quality instructional leadership and positive home-to-school and school-to-community relationships. Get to know BCS, today. We’re enrolling!