The Scholar Experience™
A Two-Generational Approach to Learning, Connection, and Belonging
The Scholar Experience™ is a relationship-centered educational model created by Dr. Kayon DePina to support scholars and the adults who help them learn.
The model brings scholars and Learning Partners together through early literacy, shared learning, identity, movement, feelings, confidence, and meaningful home-practice experiences.
What Makes the Model Different
Scholars and Learning Partners Learn Together
Learning Partners participate alongside scholars, gaining practical tools and a clearer understanding of how to continue learning beyond each session.
Learning Supports the Whole Child
The model connects early-learning readiness with identity, confidence, feelings, movement, relationships, and belonging.
Learning Continues at Home
Families receive activities, resources, and guidance that help extend learning into everyday routines and interactions.
Learning Through SAMFIT
SAMFIT is the whole-child framework that guides The Scholar Experience™ and helps make social-emotional development, identity, and relationships part of the learning process.
Social Awareness
Understanding others, relationships, and shared spaces.
Affirmation
Building confidence and positive beliefs about identity.
MovementSupporting active participation and physical development.
Feelings
Recognizing, expressing, and responding to emotions.
Identity
Understanding and valuing who we are.
Teamwork
Strengthening cooperation, communication, and connection.
Components That Support the Experience
The model can be customized based on the setting, audience, and goals of each program.
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Two-generational learning sessions
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Early-literacy and school-readiness activities
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Scholar Packs and take-home materials
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Learning Partner guidance
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SAMFIT experiences
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Readiness and reflection tools
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Home-practice resources
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Facilitator and implementation materials
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Community and Mobile Classroom experiences
Bringing the Model Into Educational Partnerships
LearnLink Consulting LLC may incorporate selected methods and components of The Scholar Experience™ into customized work with schools, museums, nonprofits, community organizations, and family-serving agencies.
Depending on the needs of the partner, LearnLink may support program design, curriculum and resource development, professional learning, family engagement, facilitation, and implementation.
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The Scholar Experience Inc.
The Scholar Experience Inc. is the connected nonprofit organization that brings charitable, community-based programming directly to scholars and their Learning Partners.
Its work includes family-learning cohorts, sponsored resources, community partnerships, and the Mobile Classroom.
The nonprofit website is coming soon.
Learning Is Stronger When We Grow Together
The Scholar Experience™ creates intentional opportunities for scholars and Learning Partners to build skills, confidence, connection, and a stronger foundation for continued learning.