ABOUT BLACKFORD
Two teachers, working after school.
Blackford started with two classroom teachers in San Jose who kept seeing the same thing: students who understood the material and still could not get the work done. We built this to teach the part school does not have time for.
Dylan Jagielski and Frank Garcia are the Directors of Blackford Learning Group.
Dylan Jagielski · Director
English teacher. History teacher. Basketball coach. Dylan teaches middle school English and history and holds a master's degree in teaching. His days are spent helping students read closely, build an argument, and explain what they mean. Coaching basketball asks the same question: after you show someone how, can they make the next play themselves?
Frank Garcia · Director
English teacher. Speech and debate coach. Curriculum writer. Frank teaches middle school English, coaches speech and debate, and holds a master's degree in teaching. He writes curriculum for other teachers to use and tutors elementary students. At Blackford he runs the day-to-day work and the teaching team.
Blackford Learning Group LLC is independently operated. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any school.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE
A parent should be able to ask, "What did they learn today?"
1. Start with the student's current classwork, not a generic packet.
2. Name the specific skill being taught, from planning a week to explaining a math step.
3. Give the student a chance to try that skill before the session ends.
4. Tell the family what was practiced and what still needs attention — in a short summary after every session.
MEET US
Come tell us about your student.
Thirty minutes, free, by video or in person. We would like to hear where they are and where they are trying to get to.