Empty Mall Food Court Turned Into Classroom To Help Students With Virtual Learning During Pandemic

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - Many students across the country are struggling with virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic but an educator in Virginia may have found a creative solution.

Kim Jackson-Dinnall, the assistant principal at Granby High School, has transformed the food court at Military Circle Mall in Norfolk, Virginia, into a socially-distanced classroom for first to twelfth grade students who need a little extra help with virtual learning.

"They were hurting -- no contact with other people, having to learn to learn how to learn on their own," she tells CBS affiliate WTKR.

Ninth-grader Kiyron White says he joined the program because his internet service at home is spotty.

"Every time I try to talk to my teacher it stops at mid-conversation," he says.

But inside the food court, he's able to get his questions answered – and his grades are up.

"At first, they were pretty bad. I had one D," White says. Now, he has a B+ in math.

"It's fun we get to do different things and walk around." 

Jackson-Dinnall has been teaching for 24 years. She's also the founder of T.E.A.C.H! (Tidewater Educational Action for Change Here!), a non-profit that offers free tutoring to students in the region.

Through donations, she was also able to purchase multiple mobile hotspots for students who meet here every Tuesday and Thursday after school. She also provides transportation.

"We have a van, a 15 passenger van," Jackson-Dinnall says. Currently, children from Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake attend the sessions.

Jackson-Dinnall says she's glad her team can put this empty space to good use.

"Now it is being used for a purpose, and that is our children, who are our future," she adds.