Meet Jerniee

As an 8th grader and third-year participant in the Beyond School program, Jerniee is known for her endearing kindness toward others and hard work ethic. Jerniee is often found with her binder open, diligently working through her assignments, continuously seeking out ways to improve. Although she has struggled with understanding her schoolwork at times, Beyond School has provided her with the tools to manage those feelings through enrichment activities and support on her assignments. Through one-on-one tutoring and personalized reading programs, Beyond School helps students prepare for high school and beyond.  

Jerniee describes feeling more prepared in subjects that she struggles with like math and science because of the program’s personalized academic support and strategies it has given her.  

“She’s always utilized every resource we give her,” her Success Coach Noah Rodriguez said. “In her first year, she was too shy to ask for help because she didn’t want to be a burden. Now, she’s confident enough to say, ‘I need this,’ and that’s a huge change.” 

With every encounter, Jerniee touches the hearts of those around her, exuding genuine kindness and a sincere desire to support others. “If somebody asks her for help, she will drop everything and go help them, even if she doesn’t fully understand the lesson herself,” said Noah. “That’s just the kind of person she is- always giving, always kind.” 

For Jerniee, she also feels proud of her progress and of the way she interacts with others. “I typically am proud of how helpful and polite I am with the success coaches and other students,” Jerniee said. 

Throughout Jerniee’s time in Beyond School, Noah has witnessed a change in her confidence and willingness to show a more silly side of herself. Her growth has been exemplified in how she handles leadership and social conflicts. A lesson on boundaries has taught Jerniee to advocate for herself when someone is hurtful or unkind. Even as Jerniee has found a more assertive voice during her time with Beyond School, she remains warm-hearted and free of malice. During a crew time activity, Noah assigned Jerniee to lead a group. While he initially worried about how she would handle the assertive personalities, Jerniee stepped up boldly when challenged by others in the group. 

“She told them, ‘You’re not in charge. I am.’ It was a moment where I could really see her growth,” Noah said.  

Outside of school, Jerniee enjoys drawing and spending time with her two younger siblings, who look up to her as a role model. Being the oldest, she is always willing to care for others- a quality reflected in her dreams for the future.  

“My dream is to become a doctor because I feel like I'd be very helpful to other people,” Jerniee said.  

For Noah, the most rewarding part of watching Jerniee grow has been witnessing her starting to believe in her own strengths. “She’s starting to realize what she’s worth,” Noah reflects. “People always talk about how wonderful she is, but now she’s starting to believe it, too.”