Funded entirely by donations to the MEF, the Learning Center is an exceptional resource offering tutoring and life skills programs to students in grades 6-12 at the Signal Mountain Middle/High School (SMMHS). This invaluable service is not generally provided in public schools and is made possible for Signal students through private investment by community donations to MEF.
Since its establishment, the Learning Center has provided both during-school and after-school tutoring for over 1,400 students. With offerings in organizational skills, social skills, and academic strategies, the center caters to the diverse needs of the student body. In addition, clubs like Mu Alpha Theta and the Leo Club offer peer tutoring services, ensuring that students have access to support from their peers. With hundreds of visitors each month, the Learning Center has become a hub of activity and learning.
One of the key aspects of the Learning Center is its open-door policy. Students do not need to meet specific requirements to access its resources. They can drop in after school from Monday to Thursday, attend during Directed Studies with a teacher’s pass, or reach out to Coordinator Hannah Patton for additional options.
Patton, who has been instrumental in the success of the Learning Center since she joined as Coordinator in early 2022, emphasizes that the center is more than just a tutoring space. “The Learning Center is a safe place for our students to work in,” she says. The team is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that meets the needs of all students, not just those requiring academic assistance. Patton utilizes her Master’s degree in Library Science, with a concentration in School Media and Diversity and Inclusion, to provide programs that enhance students’ learning experiences. She has implemented Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) classes and assists students with executive functioning issues through her Organizational Skills class.
Another key figure behind the success of the Learning Center is Mrs. Willo “Dee” Conlon, who has been a dedicated tutor since January 2023 after years of serving at Nolan Elementary. Mrs. Conlon brought with her a wealth of experience, including a master’s degree in Computer Resources and Information Management, and an impressive career teaching leadership, conflict resolution, and reading intervention at the college level.
Mrs. Conlon’s role at the Learning Center has allowed her to provide individualized support to a wider range of students. “Life is not always easy, but it’s nice to show students they have a place they can go to regroup, focus, or get caught up on their work when needed,” she shared. With a heart for nurturing independent learners, Mrs. Conlon’s influence on students has been both academic and personal, offering them a steady presence and guidance through their middle and high school years.
This year marks a bittersweet milestone for the Learning Center, as it prepares to bid farewell to Mrs. Conlon, who will retire at the end of the year. In her final months, Mrs. Conlon remains dedicated to the students she has mentored, cherishing the connections forged through her work. “I would like to thank MEF and SMMHS for all they have done for my entire family. Their leadership has supported me from day one… When I left the military after 14 years, I never thought I would find friends and coworkers I could call family, who in Army terms always have your ‘six,’ but I have found them here. I am extremely grateful.”
She reflects on the mutual support she has received and provided, adding, “The Learning Center will continue to help any student who walks through the door, even after my retirement, but a piece of me will always be touched by the students, faculty, staff, and parents I met along the way at SMMHS, Nolan, and Thrasher.”
As Mrs. Conlon retires, her legacy of service to both country and community lives on. She leaves with a powerful message: “As I close this chapter in my life, I’m forever grateful to all those who walked beside me, carried me, pushed me towards my best, and lifted me up when I needed it the most. Pay it forward if I touched your life in some way. Be someone’s anchor in a storm, and know I will strive to do that even in retirement.”
Another pillar of the Learning Center’s success is its collaboration with Signal Mountain Social Services (SMSS). For the past 13 years, the Learning Center has partnered with SMSS to offer additional academic support to students through a tutoring program housed within the SMMHS library. This partnership provides another layer of help for students and teachers, making the Learning Center an integral part of academic life at the school.
In a letter of endorsement, SMSS wrote, “MEF has supported Signal Mountain Schools for many years and provides exceptional educational assistance to all Signal Mountain students K-12. The Learning Center achieves outstanding results, and we are hopeful this partnership will continue for many years to come.”
The Learning Center’s contributions to student success go far beyond traditional tutoring. It offers an environment where students feel supported and empowered, and its success is a testament to the dedication of the tutors and the community. As the Learning Center moves forward into the future, the legacy of tutors like Mrs. Conlon and the continued leadership from Hannah Patton and partnership with SMSS ensure that it will remain a vital resource for years to come.
