To Give Back to the Children
Eric King, Experience Corps member
Evansville, IN
"I tutor to give back to the children something that was given to me freely - education."
Eric King, Experience Corps member
Evansville, IN
"I tutor to give back to the children something that was given to me freely - education."
This Has Exceeded My Wildest Dreams
William Clifford, Experience Corps member, retired debt collections agent
Tempe
"You can't imagine how a first-grader can challenge you. I wanted to do something entirely different, something exciting, something useful. This exceeded beyond my wildest dreams."
William Clifford, Experience Corps member, retired debt collections agent
Tempe
"You can't imagine how a first-grader can challenge you. I wanted to do something entirely different, something exciting, something useful. This exceeded beyond my wildest dreams."
A Very Rewarding Experience
Linda Johnson, , Experience Corps member
Evansville, IN
It has been a very rewarding experience for me working-watching the children grow in their education.
Linda Johnson, , Experience Corps member
Evansville, IN
It has been a very rewarding experience for me working-watching the children grow in their education.
More Than I Imagined
Bruce Pittman,, Experience Corps member
Evansville, IN
I love working with the kids. The experience is more then I imagined.
Bruce Pittman,, Experience Corps member
Evansville, IN
I love working with the kids. The experience is more then I imagined.
The Little Perks
Joyce Barnes
Baltimore City
Sometimes it's not all about learning. They like the love that they get, they like the little perks I give them. The hugs, the smiles. They like for me to say, 'c'mon, love.'
Joyce Barnes
Baltimore City
Sometimes it's not all about learning. They like the love that they get, they like the little perks I give them. The hugs, the smiles. They like for me to say, 'c'mon, love.'
An Impact That Could be Everlasting
Que Payne, Experience Corps member
Greater New Haven
It's really been a two-way street. I feel like I get a whole lot more than I could give out. I don't know how many times in my life I've heard a successful individual say that a neighborhood person, or a teacher, or a mentor, said something or did something that made a change in them. You're not just working with a child today. You're making an impact that could be everlasting.
Que Payne, Experience Corps member
Greater New Haven
It's really been a two-way street. I feel like I get a whole lot more than I could give out. I don't know how many times in my life I've heard a successful individual say that a neighborhood person, or a teacher, or a mentor, said something or did something that made a change in them. You're not just working with a child today. You're making an impact that could be everlasting.
They All Want to be Smart
Belinda D. Cousin,, Experience Corps member
Philadelphia
Becoming a tutor has been a challenging, life-altering experience. While in training, I listened over and over as different people discussed their own experiences in tutoring. Each person was touched in some way, but still I didn't fully understand. It's something you have to experience first-hand to appreciate.
My children come from many different family lifestyles, but they all have one common goal. They all want to be "smart." This program builds confidence where there is insecurity and courage where there is fear.
Experience Corps changes the lives of the tutors as well as the lives of children. I feel needed in a way totally different from my family's needs. These children know they can depend on me. They can tell me anything and, believe me, they do.I have developed into a better person because of these children.
I've learned to be patient, because with patience comes understanding. I've learned to be more understanding because with understanding comes compassion. With patience, understanding, and compassion come success.
Belinda D. Cousin,, Experience Corps member
Philadelphia
Becoming a tutor has been a challenging, life-altering experience. While in training, I listened over and over as different people discussed their own experiences in tutoring. Each person was touched in some way, but still I didn't fully understand. It's something you have to experience first-hand to appreciate.
My children come from many different family lifestyles, but they all have one common goal. They all want to be "smart." This program builds confidence where there is insecurity and courage where there is fear.
Experience Corps changes the lives of the tutors as well as the lives of children. I feel needed in a way totally different from my family's needs. These children know they can depend on me. They can tell me anything and, believe me, they do.I have developed into a better person because of these children.
I've learned to be patient, because with patience comes understanding. I've learned to be more understanding because with understanding comes compassion. With patience, understanding, and compassion come success.
Learning How to Age
Claudine Paris, Experience Corps member
Portland, OR
I am in my sixties and I am learning how to age from the Experience Corps members on my team. They are in their eighties and living life to the fullest. They are teaching me how to grow old.
Claudine Paris, Experience Corps member
Portland, OR
I am in my sixties and I am learning how to age from the Experience Corps members on my team. They are in their eighties and living life to the fullest. They are teaching me how to grow old.
The Russian Word for "Shell"
Patricia Smith, Experience Corps member
Portland, OR
I worked with one girl whose family had just moved here from the Ukraine. She had been a good student in the Ukraine and was frustrated by not doing well here. One story we read was about Native Americans, and included a picture of seashells. The next time she came in she brought a conch shell from a trip she had taken when her family lived in Eastern Europe. She wanted to tell me the Russian word for "shell."
This was our first connection. Now she teaches me Russian words as she learns to read. It makes her proud to teach me.
Patricia Smith, Experience Corps member
Portland, OR
I worked with one girl whose family had just moved here from the Ukraine. She had been a good student in the Ukraine and was frustrated by not doing well here. One story we read was about Native Americans, and included a picture of seashells. The next time she came in she brought a conch shell from a trip she had taken when her family lived in Eastern Europe. She wanted to tell me the Russian word for "shell."
This was our first connection. Now she teaches me Russian words as she learns to read. It makes her proud to teach me.
Find a Key
Naomi, Experience Corps member
Oakland
I always felt that with all the children that I tutored, if you can find the key to that one child, you can open everything up. It's like looking for treasure.
Naomi, Experience Corps member
Oakland
I always felt that with all the children that I tutored, if you can find the key to that one child, you can open everything up. It's like looking for treasure.
A Love of Reading
Ronnie WIlliams, Experience Corps member
Oakland
Ron Williams sat on the floor of a third grade classroom in Oakland, CA.
"Okay," he said, handing a book to two students stuck in the middle of an argument. "Who starts?"
"I do," one of the boys answered, getting down on the floor with Mr. Williams. "I read the first page. He reads next."
Williams was inspired to become an Experience Corps member, he explains, "Because I needed something to make me come alive. Being around adults my whole working life had caught up with me.
"I searched around for what was next. A long time ago, someone took the time to instill a love of reading in me. I wanted to do the same for other kids."
"People ask me what I do to stay so happy and full of energy," Williams says. "I tell them that working with Experience Corps has given me back my youth. I knew there had to be more to life. By tutoring these kids, I have found it."
Ronnie WIlliams, Experience Corps member
Oakland
Ron Williams sat on the floor of a third grade classroom in Oakland, CA.
"Okay," he said, handing a book to two students stuck in the middle of an argument. "Who starts?"
"I do," one of the boys answered, getting down on the floor with Mr. Williams. "I read the first page. He reads next."
Williams was inspired to become an Experience Corps member, he explains, "Because I needed something to make me come alive. Being around adults my whole working life had caught up with me.
"I searched around for what was next. A long time ago, someone took the time to instill a love of reading in me. I wanted to do the same for other kids."
"People ask me what I do to stay so happy and full of energy," Williams says. "I tell them that working with Experience Corps has given me back my youth. I knew there had to be more to life. By tutoring these kids, I have found it."
The 'Gee I'm Smart' Moment
Richard Suen, Hillcrest Elementary School
San Francisco
My greatest accomplishment was learning how a little bit of tutoring can go a long way. So many students need extra attention and time. I love it when the students have the "Gee, I'm smart" moment.
Richard Suen, Hillcrest Elementary School
San Francisco
My greatest accomplishment was learning how a little bit of tutoring can go a long way. So many students need extra attention and time. I love it when the students have the "Gee, I'm smart" moment.
Now You're Cooking
Elaine Green, Experience Corps member
Baltimore City
I had a child in my class who had very low self confidence. He listened when he heard me say, "Now you're cooking," to children who were doing very well. When the other children heard me say this, they paid more attention to how they did their work. We test them in math and reading, and when we grade their tests the students will all gather around and say to me "Ms. G, am I cooking?" It just warms my heart to know that a little word such as cooking is making a difference. Now this child is cooking, too!
Elaine Green, Experience Corps member
Baltimore City
I had a child in my class who had very low self confidence. He listened when he heard me say, "Now you're cooking," to children who were doing very well. When the other children heard me say this, they paid more attention to how they did their work. We test them in math and reading, and when we grade their tests the students will all gather around and say to me "Ms. G, am I cooking?" It just warms my heart to know that a little word such as cooking is making a difference. Now this child is cooking, too!
Everybody Needs Help
Teresa Gresham, Experience Corps member
Baltimore City
One little boy would always resist my help. Day after day, he watched me. One day when I was helping others he came over and said, "I'm ready. Will you help me now?" He needed to see that it was ok to work with me. I knew he needed to watch me with others before he could trust me. He was a loner. When we began to work together I said to him, "See? Everybody needs help." I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone. Now he raises his hand in class and takes risks. He knows it is ok to need help.
Teresa Gresham, Experience Corps member
Baltimore City
One little boy would always resist my help. Day after day, he watched me. One day when I was helping others he came over and said, "I'm ready. Will you help me now?" He needed to see that it was ok to work with me. I knew he needed to watch me with others before he could trust me. He was a loner. When we began to work together I said to him, "See? Everybody needs help." I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone. Now he raises his hand in class and takes risks. He knows it is ok to need help.
There Are Children Waiting for Me
Delores Bell, Experience Corps member
Baltimore City
During my short time with Experience Corps I've felt like my life has meaning. I have a reason for getting up in the morning, knowing that I am going to help a child. When they say, "Miss Bell I need some help," or "Miss Bell, will you help me," it gives me a feeling that I am needed. You cannot imagine the joy that it brings me. I now have a purpose to get up in the morning, knowing that there are children waiting for me.
Delores Bell, Experience Corps member
Baltimore City
During my short time with Experience Corps I've felt like my life has meaning. I have a reason for getting up in the morning, knowing that I am going to help a child. When they say, "Miss Bell I need some help," or "Miss Bell, will you help me," it gives me a feeling that I am needed. You cannot imagine the joy that it brings me. I now have a purpose to get up in the morning, knowing that there are children waiting for me.
Our Future Leaders
Laurine Moore, Experience Corps member
Cleveland
I find it very rewarding to train these little minds to read, recognize letters, know numbers and tie their shoes. They need to know that somebody loves them so they can grow up to be our future leaders.
Laurine Moore, Experience Corps member
Cleveland
I find it very rewarding to train these little minds to read, recognize letters, know numbers and tie their shoes. They need to know that somebody loves them so they can grow up to be our future leaders.
Will You Tutor Me Again?
Nathalie Black, Experience Corps member
Washington, DC
Working with the children during these past five years has been both challenging and rewarding. When a child asks, Will you be my tutor again? For the second or even third year, it is gratifying. When that child achieves measurable success in reading and general deportment, it is doubly gratifying.
Nathalie Black, Experience Corps member
Washington, DC
Working with the children during these past five years has been both challenging and rewarding. When a child asks, Will you be my tutor again? For the second or even third year, it is gratifying. When that child achieves measurable success in reading and general deportment, it is doubly gratifying.
There Are No Labels in Here
Cleveland
I was assigned to a boy I had seen rough housing in the hallway. I knew he got in trouble in the classroom and was often sent to the principal. We started working together, focusing on the lesson and reading. Reading was difficult for him. After about two or three weeks, he looked up from the book and asked why I did not get angry with him. I told him it was because he did not do anything wrong.
"But everyone calls me a trouble maker," he said.
"Not me," I answered. "There are no labels in here."
Ever since that day his reading has improved.
Cleveland
I was assigned to a boy I had seen rough housing in the hallway. I knew he got in trouble in the classroom and was often sent to the principal. We started working together, focusing on the lesson and reading. Reading was difficult for him. After about two or three weeks, he looked up from the book and asked why I did not get angry with him. I told him it was because he did not do anything wrong.
"But everyone calls me a trouble maker," he said.
"Not me," I answered. "There are no labels in here."
Ever since that day his reading has improved.
Small Steps
Charlene Connors, Experience Corps member
Cleveland
I walked quietly into the special education classroom, not knowing what to expect. I counted quickly - five boys, one girl. The teacher asked me to work with Alice, the obviously angry child who protested immediately. No she did not want help, no she did not want me to sit next to her, and no she would not read with me.
I learned quickly I couldn't even touch Alice's hand or shoulder, since she would jump away and cringe. We started with my sitting next to her, quietly encouraging her, trying to keep her on task in the classroom. She knew most of her alphabet but hadn't yet made the connection between alphabet sounds and words. We took small steps, and I set little goals.
After several weeks, Alice trusted me enough to sit with me right outside the classroom door. She "helped" me read, as I pointed to the easy words I knew she would know. Soon we were going to the library, picking out books and reading together. Alice started to sound out more words.
One day, Alice wanted to read in the library balcony. I was very pleased but, due to a health problem, going up the steps was difficult for me. I explained we would have to go very slowly. Quickly, Alice grabbed my hand and assured me she could help. And so we climbed slowly, hand in hand, up the library steps.
By the end of the year, Alice didn't need me to pick out books or point out words. She was very excited about reading, eagerly sounding out any words she didn't know, even bringing in books she wanted us to read.
By the end of the year, I no longer needed Alice's help to climb the stairs, but I never told her. We all need a helping hand at some point in our lives.
Charlene Connors, Experience Corps member
Cleveland
I walked quietly into the special education classroom, not knowing what to expect. I counted quickly - five boys, one girl. The teacher asked me to work with Alice, the obviously angry child who protested immediately. No she did not want help, no she did not want me to sit next to her, and no she would not read with me.
I learned quickly I couldn't even touch Alice's hand or shoulder, since she would jump away and cringe. We started with my sitting next to her, quietly encouraging her, trying to keep her on task in the classroom. She knew most of her alphabet but hadn't yet made the connection between alphabet sounds and words. We took small steps, and I set little goals.
After several weeks, Alice trusted me enough to sit with me right outside the classroom door. She "helped" me read, as I pointed to the easy words I knew she would know. Soon we were going to the library, picking out books and reading together. Alice started to sound out more words.
One day, Alice wanted to read in the library balcony. I was very pleased but, due to a health problem, going up the steps was difficult for me. I explained we would have to go very slowly. Quickly, Alice grabbed my hand and assured me she could help. And so we climbed slowly, hand in hand, up the library steps.
By the end of the year, Alice didn't need me to pick out books or point out words. She was very excited about reading, eagerly sounding out any words she didn't know, even bringing in books she wanted us to read.
By the end of the year, I no longer needed Alice's help to climb the stairs, but I never told her. We all need a helping hand at some point in our lives.