The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received the 2020 Indian Children & Youth Program: Accessing Choices in Education (ACE) grant from the US Department of Education. Our grant project is entitled Tunica-Biloxi Education Program (TBEP) to Improve Academic Success & Career Readiness. The grant allows the Tribe to expand educational services to tribal youth in grades K-12 and provide in-person and virtual services regardless of residence as well as fund the providers needed to enact those services.
Goal 1: Tribal Youth
Improve Tunica-Biloxi tribal student academic performance by increasing educational choices from a comprehensive pool of culturally appropriate education services and service providers.
Goal 2: Tribal Parents
Increase educational choices for parents by providing a comprehensive pool of culturally appropriate education services and service providers.
Goal 3: Tribal Youth with Disabilities
Support Tribal Youth with Disabilities (i.e., mental, physical, and substance abuse) in overcoming barriers to educational attainment and improving academic performance of the students.
Through their participation in the Education Department, students will have access to the following services:
- Individual Tribal Education Plan
- Academic Counseling and Mentoring
- Advocacy
- Academic Skills Coaching
- College / Career Prep
- Skill Development
- STE(A)M Enrichment
- Tunica Language & Cultural Enrichment
- Activities – Academic/Cultural Enrichment
- Tours – Academic/Cultural Enrichment (organized by TBED; available when in-person activities can be offered)
- Tutoring (Online and Special Education; In-person tutoring with Covid-19 prevention measures and social distancing, when in-person activities can be offered)
- Supplemental Educational Supports
Selection of Services
The new ACE Grant (Accessing Choices in Education) emphasizes parent involvement in selecting student education services and providing ongoing input on the effectiveness of the services and the entities that provide those services. The ACE Grant funds a valuable resource for students and families with the support from the TBED.
- Parents will select student educational services from a master list provided by the Tunica-Biloxi Education Department (TBED).
- Five TBED Academic Counselors will work with students and parents to identify opportunities for improved academic performance and articulate individual student plans to prepare them for college or career after graduation. One Counselor is stationed in Chicago and Houston and three counselors in Marksville.
- TBED Resource Centers will be located at branch offices in Chicago and Houston and the CERC building in Marksville.
- TBED resources support students who are struggling in school AND students who want to excel and get a running start on post-secondary education, career selection, or military service.
Staff Resources
| Name | Grade Level | Location | Cell Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Barbry | K-12 | Marksville, LA | 318-481-9526 | jdb@tunica.org |
| Lonita Fantroy | K-12 | Marksville, LA | 318-955-1349 | lfantroy@tunica.org |
| Paulette Voiselle | K-12 | Marksville, LA | 318-541-1035 | pvoiselle@tunica.org |
| Antonio Brown | K-12 (IL Group) | Chicago, IL | 318-359-1672 | abrown@tunica.org |
| Dr. Julie Zahn | K-12 (TX Group) | Houston, TX | 318-359-2293 | juliezahn@tunica.org |
| Leslie Carmouche | K-5 (LA Group) | Marksville, LA | 318-359-7808 | lcarmouche@tunica.org |
| Jacqueline Murdock | K-6 (LA Group) | Marksville, LA | 318-955-1257 | jmurdock@tunica.org |
| Alisha Williams | 6-12 (LA Group) | Marksville, LA | 318-359-8912 | awilliams@tunica.org |
- Louisiana Group- (AR, AZ, CA, CO, LA, NM, NV, UK, TN)
- Illinois Group- (IL, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, WA, WI)
- Texas Group- (Texas)
TBED Providers
Online learning platforms connect students directly with Certified and Experienced Teachers through Zoom or a similar digital classroom. Each virtual tutoring session includes the use of an interactive whiteboard with video, sound, and chat capabilities to provide academic tutoring, homework support, and other academic services.
All services must be coordinated through Education Department Staff.
| Providers | Service Type | Grade Level | Subject Area | Access | Session Length | Session Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studyville www.studyville.com | Academic Tutoring/ Test Prep | 4-12 | All Subjects (excludes foreign languages) | M-TH 3PM-9PM SA-SU 12PM-5PM | 30MIN/1 HR | Online & In-person( Baton Rouge, La) |
| Skooli www.skooli.com | Academic Tutoring / Test Prep | K-12 | All Subjects (includes foreign languages) | 24/7 | 15 min. & up | Online |
| MCS Tutoring https://mcstutoring.com | Math Tutoring & SAT/ACT Test Prep | 8-12 | Math | Scheduled Time | 30 min. / 1hr | Online |
| Special Ed Tutoring www.specialedtutoring.com | Academic Tutoring / Test Prep | K-12 | All Subjects (excludes foreign languages) | Scheduled Time | 30 min. / 1hr | Online |
| Sylvan Learning www. sylvanlearning.com Sylvan – Alexandria, LA Sylvan – Bellaire, TX Sylvan – Hammond, LA Sylvan – Lafayette, LA Sylvan – Orland/Tinley Park, IL Sylvan – Sugarland, TX | Academic Tutoring / Test Prep | K-12 | All Subjects | Scheduled Time | 30 min. / 1 hr | Online & In-person |
| Club Z Tutoring https://clubztutoring.com | Academic Tutoring / Test Prep | K-12 | All Subjects | Scheduled Time | 1 hr & up | In-person |
| Language & Culture Department | Cultural Enrichment | K-12 | Tunica Language Craft Circle Storytime Language Camps | Scheduled Time | Times Vary | Online |
| Social Services Department | Social Services | K-12 | Healthy Transitions, Voc Rehab Program Food Pantry Behavior Health Victim Services, etc | Scheduled Time | Times Vary | Varies |
| STEM NOLA | Academic Enrichment | Workshops/Camps: STEM / STEAM | Scheduled Time | Times Vary | Online & In-person | |
| Kid Power / Teen Power / Power Up | Academic Enrichment | Workshops/Camps: Life Skills | Scheduled Time | 30-120 min. | Online | |
| Graymatter | Academic Enrichment | Workshops/Camps: Life Skills & STE(A)M | Scheduled Time | 30-120 min. | Online |
FAFSA Assistance:
All TBED Seniors are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It’s how you discover your financial aid options for attending college. Based on the information you enter, you may be eligible for other financial aid such as grants, scholarships, loans, and waivers, in addition to the FAFSA. Make an appointment with TBED Staff (Ms. Lonita 318.955.1349 or Ms. Alisha 318.359.8912) for assistance with your FAFSA.
Program Assessments
Mosaic by SEL is an assessment of social and emotional learning (SEL) skills and character strengths; it takes 30 – 45 minutes to complete. All TBED students in grades 6-12 must complete the online assessment. Call Alisha @ 318.359.8912 or Ms. Jackie (318.955.1257) for your username and password.
TBED College & Career Newsletter (Monthly)
Career Spotlight: To promote career readiness, high school completion, and degree attainment, careers will be spotlighted each month. Students will have the opportunity to actively learn about the educational and skills requirements of the positions and hear from career professionals through video presentations.
▪ College Preview: Students will preview colleges through a snapshot of the institution’s admissions requirements, colleges/majors, scholarships and financial aid, famous graduates, and other cool facts about the university.
▪ World Travelers: Students become world travelers as they cross the globe exploring people, places, things, and events on each continent from zoos, nature labs, museums, cultures to out-of-this-world spaces through virtual field trips.
▪ Scholarships List: Each month a list of scholarship and financial opportunities will be made available for students.