Tiger Wings: Where Little Hearts Grow Bold and Prepare to Take Flight
Inspiring Auburn's K-5 students through immersive afterschool experiences that bring real-world companies and careers directly to young learners. Building foundations to enable our children to soar!
Enroll Your Child
Meet Our Founder
Kristen Cooper founded Tiger Wings with a dream of fostering growth mindsets in children.
Kristen Cooper Is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist who has spent the past six years partnering with global companies to design their talent practices.
She spent the majority of her career as a Practitioner at CSX Transportation, where she led executive succession planning, performance management, and leadership development.
Kristen is passionate about Positive Psychology and utilizing data to connect people to fulfilling careers. Outside of work, you can find her with her three young children and husband at any Auburn University Sporting event.
With over 20 years in Psychology, she's committed to preparing Auburn's youth for future success through meaningful experiences and connections.
About Our Program
Our Mission
Tiger Wings bridges the gap between classroom learning and future careers by bringing Auburn-area professionals and National Corporations directly to our afterschool programs. We inspire curiosity and plant seeds for future career exploration.
Our Approach
Through hands-on demonstrations, interactive activities, and age-appropriate career exploration, we connect K-5 students with real-world professionals in a supportive, fun environment.
How It Works
Weekly Professional Visits
Each week, a different local company or professional visits our afterschool program, bringing interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate information about their industry.
Hands-On Learning
Students engage in practical activities designed to introduce them to various career skills – from coding with tech professionals to creative problem-solving with engineers and artists.
Career Exploration
Through structured exploration and guided reflection, students connect classroom learning to real-world applications, building early awareness of diverse career possibilities.
For Parents
Everything you need to know about our afterschool program:
Schedule & Location
Tiger Wings operates Monday-Friday from 2:30-5:30 PM at Lake Wilmore (2000 Grove Hill Road Auburn, AL). Our program follows the Auburn City Schools calendar, and is currently closed on breaks and holidays.
Registration Process
Enrollment will be available soon through the City of Auburn at MyRec. Limited scholarships are available for qualifying families.
Child Experience
Students receive homework support, a healthy snack, and daily structured activities. Weekly professional visits occur on Wednesdays, with follow-up projects throughout the week.
Safety & Supervision
Our staff maintains a 1:10 adult-to-child ratio. All employees undergo background checks, and visitors follow strict security protocols. Licensed teachers supervise all activities.
For Companies
Partnership Options
Companies can participate as one-time visitors, regular monthly partners, or program sponsors. We work with your team to develop age-appropriate activities that showcase your industry while fitting within our educational framework.
Community Impact
By participating, your company demonstrates community commitment while introducing your industry to the next generation. Partners receive recognition in our materials, social media, and community events.
Employee Engagement
Tiger Wings provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for your team members who enjoy working with children. We offer training and support to ensure successful interactions with our young participants.
Contact Us
How do I enroll my child?
URL to Auburn Parks and Rec coming soon for online enrollment!
Call us at 334-329-9401 for assistance.
How can my company become a partner?
Complete this form. We'll schedule a meeting to discuss partnership opportunities tailored to your company's strengths and interests.
Do you provide transportation?
Students at Ogletree will walk to Lake Wilmore upon school dismissal. Buses will run from Auburn Early Education Center to Lake Wilmore. We are actively seeking to purchase vans to provide transportation from ACC Academy to Lake Wilmore - page coming soon to make donations towards this effort.
Are volunteer opportunities available for individuals?
Yes! We welcome volunteers with professional expertise who can share their career journeys with our students. All volunteers undergo background checks and orientation training.