Tue, Apr 10th, 2012
The Hocking College Youth Tutoring Program is a service-learning program that trains students as youth tutors and places 10-20 of them in local elementary schools and after-school programs, at no cost to the community.
Students tutor local elementary students as part of the federal work-study America Reads program. The Tutoring Program is facilitated through the Hocking College Community Outreach Center, which hires and places the tutors. The program places tutors at three Athens County schools, the Logan-Hocking School District and schools in Fairfield County.
"With budget cuts and fewer classroom assistants, most public schools are eager to get the help. Hocking student employees may choose the schools in which they will tutor, and the choice is often based on class schedules and proximity to the college," Suzanne Brooks-Korner, Community Outreach Coordinator, said.
Elementary school representatives agree that the tutoring program offers important student success support. "The relationship between Hocking College and Nelsonville-York City Schools has been a very positive one. We have built strong relationships with staff and students from Hocking College. The tutors have increased elementary student learning and assisted teachers and staff. Through the assistance of tutors, our children receive one-on-one attention, increase academic scores, and build higher self esteem. This has been a great thing," Lindy Douglas, Nelsonville-York Elementary School Assistant Principal, said.
Hocking students from all programs volunteer for the Youth Tutoring Program, providing the elementary students with exposure to various future career choices. First-year nursing student Jasmine Flora, tutoring at Trimble Elementary, commented, "I'm working in the first grade classroom of the teacher I had in first grade. I tell the kids that, when I was their age, I was in this class, and they look up at me and see how far I have come and seem really inspired. When I walk into the classroom, and all the kids rush up to hug me, and they have huge smiles on their faces, it's very rewarding to know I am helping and seeing them improve."
Lyndsey Alexander, a Culinary Arts student from Amanda, enjoyed her tutoring experience at Nelsonville-York Elementary, "I've learned that some of the kids are struggling, and I get as excited as they do when they do well on tests or papers. They are so cute, and I am glad to be able to help them."
Baltic, Ohio resident Steph Ely has been tutoring in a first grade classroom at Nelsonville-York Elementary for two years. She was an Ecotourism student and, after her tutoring experience, liked it so much that she began work toward an Early Childhood Education degree, too. After she graduates this summer, she will take courses at Kent State University toward a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.
Brooks-Korner adds that the program has been quite popular, and they hope to add additional elementary partners in surrounding counties next year.
Students tutor local elementary students as part of the federal work-study America Reads program. The Tutoring Program is facilitated through the Hocking College Community Outreach Center, which hires and places the tutors. The program places tutors at three Athens County schools, the Logan-Hocking School District and schools in Fairfield County.
"With budget cuts and fewer classroom assistants, most public schools are eager to get the help. Hocking student employees may choose the schools in which they will tutor, and the choice is often based on class schedules and proximity to the college," Suzanne Brooks-Korner, Community Outreach Coordinator, said.
Elementary school representatives agree that the tutoring program offers important student success support. "The relationship between Hocking College and Nelsonville-York City Schools has been a very positive one. We have built strong relationships with staff and students from Hocking College. The tutors have increased elementary student learning and assisted teachers and staff. Through the assistance of tutors, our children receive one-on-one attention, increase academic scores, and build higher self esteem. This has been a great thing," Lindy Douglas, Nelsonville-York Elementary School Assistant Principal, said.
Hocking students from all programs volunteer for the Youth Tutoring Program, providing the elementary students with exposure to various future career choices. First-year nursing student Jasmine Flora, tutoring at Trimble Elementary, commented, "I'm working in the first grade classroom of the teacher I had in first grade. I tell the kids that, when I was their age, I was in this class, and they look up at me and see how far I have come and seem really inspired. When I walk into the classroom, and all the kids rush up to hug me, and they have huge smiles on their faces, it's very rewarding to know I am helping and seeing them improve."
Lyndsey Alexander, a Culinary Arts student from Amanda, enjoyed her tutoring experience at Nelsonville-York Elementary, "I've learned that some of the kids are struggling, and I get as excited as they do when they do well on tests or papers. They are so cute, and I am glad to be able to help them."
Baltic, Ohio resident Steph Ely has been tutoring in a first grade classroom at Nelsonville-York Elementary for two years. She was an Ecotourism student and, after her tutoring experience, liked it so much that she began work toward an Early Childhood Education degree, too. After she graduates this summer, she will take courses at Kent State University toward a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.
Brooks-Korner adds that the program has been quite popular, and they hope to add additional elementary partners in surrounding counties next year.
