The simple things in life are often the most special, especially in the eyes of a child. Since school can be a struggle for some children, it is essential for someone outside of the classroom and home to help a child learn. This not only helps them learn, but it gives them the attention they deserve while in the classroom.

Approximately 40 Elon students are active in the America Reads program, which is run through the Kernodle Center for Service Learning. This is a Federal Work Study program that allows college students to help elementary students with math and reading. Elon is partnered with four local schools where tutors aid a teacher in their classroom. Most tutors work in one classroom each year, and have the opportunity to work with several students.

Tutors work with the students one-on-one and in small groups, and meet during school hours for up to an hour.

Junior Anna Lisa Gibson has worked with America Reads for three years, and is now one of the Elon coordinators of the program. She began working with the program because she is an education major. She will have the opportunity to get classroom experience next year, while she is a student teacher, but she says it is nice having the opportunity through the America Reads program now.

“I knew the classroom experience now was going to help me later on,” Gibson said.

Junior Kristin Zachary, also an education major, said she first began working “just because I was looking for a job.” However, because of her work and experiences within the program, she changed her major from journalism to education. She also is a coordinator at Elon.

Before classes even begin at Elon, the coordinators make the schedules for each of the tutors, based on the schedule of the teacher that they were paired up with. Once the year begins, the tutors and coordinators meet each month to work on strategies and new ideas to help their students.

“We make sure that the tutors know they are being encouraged and supported, instead of just throwing them out there on their own,” Gibson said.

The professors at Elon are also helpful to the tutors, as they give tips and new ideas to help the children learn. Gibson and Zachary, both education majors, will take the lessons they teach with them into their own classrooms.

For an Elon student to work in the program, they have to be eligible for Federal Work Study. Zachary said that often the tutors forget they are actually working, as it often feels like volunteer work.

Gibson and Zachary said that the reason America Reads has remained so successful and helpful is because of the partnership and bonds made between the teachers, the schools and the students.

There are many benefits to working with the program and Zachary said the most beneficial part is “seeing the child’s face light up when they understand.”

Zachary said that many of the children come from a family where it is difficult for them to ask their parents for help.

To the tutors, it is more than just helping a student read. It is about forming a bond and helping them learn and giving them the attention they deserve.

“Last year, I tutored a fourth grade boy, but now I just go and have lunch with him,” Gibson said. Both she and Zachary said that whenever they go into the elementary schools they always see former students who greet them with big smiles and waves.

“It is nice to see that we have an effect on them, and they haven’t forgotten us,” Zachary said.

As Gibson and Zachary think about their futures as teachers, they would like to have the opportunity to have tutors like those affiliated with America Reads in the classroom. They realize teaching is a lot harder than they thought and see that it important to give the children the education that they deserve.

Reporter: Laurie Craft - 04/19/07