County Resources
The County Resources page is your go-to spot for helpful tools and information tailored to support both teachers and GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinators and District Liaisons. Organized into two clear sections, the page also provides contact information for key staff who can assist with specific aspects of the grant, making it easy to get the support you need to engage students and manage programs effectively within your county.
Teacher/Counselor Resources
At GEAR UP SWV, we believe that teachers are the heart of every student’s success story—especially here in Southern West Virginia. That’s why we’re committed to walking alongside you with support that honors your dedication and helps lighten the load. From classroom resources and college planning tools to professional learning and family engagement support, GEAR UP SWV is here to help you do what you do best: inspire, guide, and uplift students every day. Together, we’re not just preparing students for life after high school—we’re building a stronger future for our communities.
Tutor.com is a flexible tool that gives students access to real-time, one-on-one academic support in over 200 subjects. Teachers can use it during class to reinforce concepts, help students who need extra practice, or offer personalized support without disrupting the flow of instruction. With easy student logins and a teacher dashboard to track progress, it’s a seamless way to enhance what’s already happening in your classroom.
Questions? Reach out to GEAR UP SWV Program Specialist, Ashlei Collins at (304) 384-5262 or [email protected].
Student Success Agency (SSA) offers a flexible, student-centered support system designed to complement classroom instruction. Through its Winbox platform, students are matched with near-peer mentors, known as “Agents,” who provide personalized guidance in areas such as extra-curricular support, post-secondary planning, and social skills development. These services are accessible outside of regular school hours, ensuring continuous support tailored to individual student needs. While not a conventional curriculum, SSA’s approach enhances student engagement and success by providing mentorship and resources that align with each student’s unique goals and challenges.
Questions? Reach out to GEAR UP SWV Program Specialist, Ashlei Collins at (304) 384-5262 or [email protected].
Career and College Clubs is a program by the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) that helps GEAR UP SWV students build the confidence, skills, and knowledge they need for life after high school. Through hands-on activities and peer-led sessions, students explore careers, set goals, and prepare for their future—together. Here’s what students do in Career and College Clubs:
- Student-led activities
- Research-based
- College and career readiness
- Academic preparation
- Leadership development
- Professional etiquette
Questions? Reach out to GEAR UP SWV Program Specialist, Ashlei Collins at (304) 384-5262 or [email protected].
Student seminars are interactive learning experiences designed to inspire, inform, and prepare students for life after high school. With a focus on practical skills like test-taking strategies, career readiness, and college planning, these sessions give students the tools they need to dream big and take action. Through guest speakers, hands-on activities, and guided discussions, GEAR UP SWV student seminars create meaningful moments that help students see what’s possible—and how to get there. Here’s a list of some of the seminars provided thanks to a partnership with New River Community and Technical College.
- Essential Test-Taking Strategies
- Career Exploration
- College Prep
- Financial Aid
Some of the activities include:
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- Career Exploration Board Game – Helping students discover different career paths and what they require.
- College Expo- We bring the technical programs to you and set up in the gym.
- College Knowledge Bingo – A fun way to test students’ knowledge about college life.
Digital Vision Boards – A creative approach to goal-setting and visualizing their future success. - Guest Speaker- Need help finding the right person to talk about careers, financial aid, or financial literacy? I can help get that scheduled for you.
- Test-taking Skills & Strategies Jeopardy – Turning study strategies into a friendly competition.
- VR Headsets- Students will explore different career paths by actively participating in a virtual reality session, along with personalized pathways for each student.
The best part? The lessons can be tailored to fit your students’ specific needs!To schedule a seminar or learn more, contact:
- GEAR UP SWV Coordinator and Community Outreach, Tammy Mills at (304) 929-5471 or [email protected]
or - GEAR UP SWV Program Specialist, Ashlei Collins at (304) 384-5262 or [email protected].
The GEAR UP SWV YouTube channel is designed to be a central hub for students, families, and educators to access engaging, helpful, and easy-to-use video content anytime, anywhere. From college and career advice to student success stories and how-to guides, the channel helps bring GEAR UP SWV’s resources to life in a format that’s familiar and accessible. By meeting students where they are—online—we’re making it easier for them to stay informed, inspired, and ready for life after high school.
The Jenn & Tracy Show is a lively video series from GEAR UP SWV that brings careers to life for students in Southern West Virginia. Whether they’re diving into STEM experiments or stepping into real workplaces, Jenn and Tracy show students that planning for the future can be exciting, hands-on, and within reach. Watch episodes anytime on GEAR UP SWV’s YouTube The Jenn and Tracy Show playlist.
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia has teamed up with New York Times bestselling author and journalist Harlan Cohen to capture the stories of students, alumni, educators, and administrators who support Southern West Virginia students. These videos show students that anything is possible by providing real examples of people who’ve walked similar paths. They offer both a roadmap and a support system to help students dream big and take action. Use these videos in classrooms or on your district’s social media to spark conversations, build trust, and remind students they’re not alone. There are people in their corner who understand their challenges, support their goals, and want to help them reach their full potential!
GEAR UP SWV works with your local GEAR UP SWV coordinator to facilitate a family advisory council. For more information contact your local coordinator.
Local Coordinator & District Liaison Resources
Local Coordinators and District Liaisons play a vital role in bringing GEAR UP SWV to life in schools and communities. This section highlights the core areas designed to support your work—from planning campus visits and documenting services to engaging families and navigating federal grant requirements. Whether you’re new to GEAR UP or a seasoned partner, these resources are here to help you feel confident, connected, and supported throughout your journey.
Whether you’re organizing a campus visit, launching a new event, or preparing documentation, GEAR UP SWV offers hands-on support to help you plan, execute, and report your activities. This role is dedicated to helping schools meet federal requirements while making sure students and families get the most out of GEAR UP programming.
We’re here to help you feel confident navigating paperwork and planning—so you can focus on what matters most: supporting students.
Contact Partnership Coordinator, Jenn Frame at [email protected] or (304) 384-6229.
We are here to help you submit your Event Notification Form.
GEAR UP SWV has a great collection of handy reference documents—usually shared on a jump drive—that are here to support you! Need access or a quick refresher? Just reach out, and we’ll get you the resources you need to stay connected and confident in your role. Here’s a list of the files on the drive:
- Quick Start Guide
- General Reference Documents
- Communications Standards
- Finance Documents
- Workplan Documents
- Service Documents
- Family Engagement Toolkit
Request another jump drive by reaching out to your Partnership Coordinator.
Managing federal grant funds can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. GEAR UP SWV provides dedicated support to help ensure your spending aligns with federal guidelines. From budgeting questions to invoice tracking, this support offers the guidance and tools you need to manage funds confidently and stay in compliance.
Contact Finance and Contracts Manager Emily Peck at [email protected] or (304) 384-5350.
GEAR UP SWV partners with schools to help every student visit at least one college campus before graduation. These visits give students a chance to explore college life, ask questions, and imagine their future. Our IHE Local Coordinator is here to support your school every step of the way—with planning tools, survey insights, and more.
Ready to plan your next visit? Contact Kristen Williams at [email protected] or (304) 384 5269.
Financial literacy is a key part of GEAR UP SWV’s mission to help students prepare for life after high school. By learning how to budget, save, and make smart financial decisions, students gain the confidence to navigate real-life choices—like how to pay for college or job training. These skills help students and families plan ahead, avoid unnecessary debt, and make informed decisions that support long-term success.
- Curriculum
- Featured Speakers
- FAFSA Workshops
You don’t need to be a communications expert to help share the story of GEAR UP SWV—we’ve got your back. Whether you’re posting on social media, making a flyer, talking with parents, or taking photos at events, you help families connect with the GEAR UP SWV mission. We are here to help students in Southern West Virginia get ready for life after high school.
You’ll find everything you need in the Communications Standards section of the Local Coordinators Quick Start Guide.
Fill out the Communications Request Form and tell us about your needs.
If you ever feel unsure—reach out! We’re happy to walk you through it or provide examples that make it easier.
Questions? Contact Communications Manager, Jessica Lilly at [email protected] or (304) 384-5981.
GEAR UP SWV supports teachers with family engagement by providing tools, resources, and events that help build strong connections between schools and families. Whether it’s hosting college and career nights, sharing take-home materials, or offering ready-made communication templates, GEAR UP SWV helps make it easier for teachers to keep families informed, involved, and inspired.
We also facilitate a Family Advisory Council—a group of parent and caregiver volunteers who share feedback, offer ideas, and help spread the word about GEAR UP in their communities. It’s a great way to give families a voice and deepen their investment in their child’s future.
Questions or need support? Contact Family Engagement Coordinator, Catrice Robinson at [email protected] or (304) 384-6231.
