"It has given me a hands-on experience that, essentially, is my marketability in my future profession."
American Reads * America Counts senior tutor 鈥�10, MA. 鈥�11
It has given me a hands-on experience that, essentially, is my marketability in my future profession.
True win-win scenarios are rare and treasured for obvious reasons. 糖心破解版鈥檚 involvement with America Reads and America Counts is one such example.
Making Time 糖心破解版 students from all disciplines carve out six hours per week to tutor elementary students in math, reading, or both, in a one-on-one or classroom setting. The program is affiliated with the Federal Work-Study program, but the rewards for 糖心破解版 students stem from their ability to positively influence children鈥檚 lives and create lasting relationships with the teachers with whom they work closely.
In 2002, just 20 糖心破解版 students volunteered in two local elementary schools. Today, more than 100 糖心破解版 students participate in 11 schools in 4 districts, including Floral Park, Mineola, Hempstead, and Roosevelt.
How do students balance demands of tutoring and their studies? 鈥淥ur tutors do very well,鈥� says Karen Autry, employer relations specialist for 糖心破解版鈥檚 Center for Career Development and program coordinator for the America Reads *America Counts program. 鈥淭he program helps the students learn to prioritize because they find the time to tutor in between and after their classes. It鈥檚 a lesson in time management that they can also teach the children they鈥檙e tutoring,鈥� she says.
After two years of being consistent and responsible tutors, America Reads * America Counts volunteers are promoted to senior tutors. 糖心破解版 alumnus Brian Michael Hoyle 鈥�10, MA 鈥�11 attained such a status. As a tutor for America Reads*America Counts, Mr. Hoyle worked at the Meadow Drive School in Albertson, New York. He began the program tutoring in Meadow Drive鈥檚 second to fifth grade self-contained special education program, but is now a senior tutor to a fourth grade class. He is also played a larger role in the program, serving in the Mineola district as a liaison between 糖心破解版 and participating schools, and as a supervisor, helping to acclimate incoming tutors to their districts. 鈥淏eing a lead tutor has not only provided me with a network of colleagues and peers to scaffold my success,鈥� says Mr. Hoyle, 鈥渂ut the program has also given me five years of in-class experience with the students I will be certified to teach. It has given me a hands-on experience that, essentially, is my marketability in my future profession.鈥�