By Kenneth L. Hardin

For the Salisbury Post

The founder of a local education nonprofit organization, who has also been an educator for nearly three decades, proved that even though the schools were out for the summer break, learning doesn’t enjoy the same time off. 

Jill Hosch-Tindal, founder of the Salisbury-based 2 The Top Tutoring organization located at 1915 W. Innes St., had a determined vision that she didn’t want the young minds she works with all school year to stop learning during the summer. Added to that was her belief that offering basic education skills to young students would help lessen and prevent crime in the city. She felt that Brenner Crossing’s youngest residents were often overlooked and ignored. So, with the strong independent spirit she possesses, she sought out funding and establishing partnerships with individuals, businesses and organizations to ensure the success of her vision. 

She applied for and received grant funds the city had received for the West End through the Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative in conjunction with the Salisbury Police Department. Tindal explained that it was important to her to have the program at the former Civic Park Apartments because she was raised in the Linn Lane housing units just down the road and lived in the former apartments as a single mother while completing her college education.

“I wanted to give back to a well-deserved community that I know and love dearly,” she said.

Tindal developed her love and commitment to education at an early age, receiving an associate’s degree in early childhood education from RCCC, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Livingstone College, and finally securing a graduate degree in child development from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She worked as a Pre-K teacher for 24 years in Rowan, Forsyth and Cabarrus counties and is currently a Title I tutor at North Rowan Middle School. She recognized a need that students could benefit from extra assistance outside of regular school hours, so in April 2019, she opened the doors of her tutoring business. Tindal understands that not every parent can afford tutoring services, so she uses another part of her business, Tindal Touched, Inc., to raise money to assist parents in paying for tutoring services. She’s grateful to so many individuals and businesses who have stepped up to donate so that she can purchase laptops, supplies other teaching materials and to help absorb the costs for struggling parents. 

When she approached several of these same individuals and businesses to share that she would be holding the tutoring program at the apartment complex, many happily stepped up to assist with the program. It was held three days each week between July 23-Aug. 1 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. She was overcome with emotional gratitude as she recalled and thanked individuals like pastor Timothy Bates, NAACP President Gemale Black, school board member Sabrina Harris, Kenny Hardin of the Veterans Social Center, North Rowan Middle School, Promise City Church and Savage Photography among several others. An average of 15 students ranging from kindergarten-eighth grade attended daily. They were served by tutors Harris, Patience Cuthbertson and Dawn Sims, as well as 10 daily volunteers who came out from the community. Tindal was adamant that this was not a one-and-done endeavor for the young apartment residents nor the other areas of the city that need similar attention. “Our goal is to offer free tutoring twice a month to the Brenner Crossing students throughout the current school year. My larger goal plan is to obtain more funding so that I can bring on additional tutors and serve locations throughout Salisbury/Rowan to offer one hour of math and reading up to twice a month. Brenner was chosen because I felt like it was the most neglected neighborhood in Salisbury and the West End, but I want to help as many other children as I can.

In addition to the educational offerings, the students enjoyed games and activities centered around both learning and fun. On the final day of the program, the older attendees were given a workshop taught by Hardin. The engaging and interactive one-hour session focused on learning and developing social, behavioral and public speaking skills. Each student was taught the mechanics and then tasked with standing up before their peers and making an impromptu speech. They were then evaluated by their peers and gave constructive feedback to each other. 

When asked to assess the overall success and effectiveness of the program, Tindal’s face lit up with a wide smile as she said her heart was so full.

She added, “My goal was to help students prepare and get back into the learning mindset for the 2024/25 school year through a fun approach to math, reading and social skills. We accomplished that and so much more.” 

Kenneth L. (Kenny) Hardin is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.