Once again, we had new students coming for tutoring! At first, some of the students are reluctant to come, but once they get comfortable after a few minutes, they do not want to leave, and they always want to return! The setting is relaxed, the colors bright and cheerful (and stimulating!), and overall, it is a comfortable place to do their work. I think it also removes some of the stress that can be felt between kids and their parents when it comes time to do their homework. I’ve noticed big attitude changes in several students regarding their homework which should carry over to their school work.
I’ve even just acted as a sounding board for one young lady in junior high this week. She came in one day, obviously upset by the events of the day. I started helping her with her homework and after a while, I asked how her day had gone. I was not sure if she would confide in me about what had happened, but she did, and after I listened and acknowledged how she was feeling, her attitude totally changed; by the end of her time here, she was bouncing around the room and talking to her mom, which she was not doing when she entered. This might seem like something insignifican, but the change in her attitude and even how she carried herself was amazing. I think when she went to school the next day, she was far more ready to face the day then before.
Just as I was sitting here at LIST typing this, a father came in with his son, a second grader. He is falling behind and is having trouble with reading. He was recommended by a teacher at the school and he asked if I could spend my time working with him on a more intense level instead of helping with his homework; working on those skills he finds difficult. This is the kind of work I really enjoy the most – helping kids who are struggling with reading. I am so excited to sit with this student next week and begin to open the door to reading for him, a door that has been difficult to open for him and his family. For me, this is another great example of why LIST was created, to serve our community in Inglewood and be a place for parents to come for help in the education of their children.
One more example of how LIST is growing, I had entered our information into Yahoo Local (the yellow pages section) and a father came across us this week while he was doing an internet search for tutoring centers in Inglewood and he contacted me. His son is in high school and is looking to do some volunteer work for his resume and entrance into college. As it turns out, he may not be able to volunteer with us now due to where he goes to school, but he may come and help out for our summer programs. In addition to this inquiry, we will have our first volunteer join us in a couple of weeks. This will allow us to schedule more then one student at a time, thus allowing us to serve more students.
Once again, I am enjoying being a part of the many ways LIST is growing and seeing the changes in students in this short time.
