What People Are Saying
On Time for Miss Edith
TJ's mom struggled each day to get TJ, a 3rd grader at the Marshall School in Dorchester, ready to go to school. He clearly dreaded it. In mid- October, TJ was paired with Ms. Edith, an Experience Corps member.
At first, TJ was not cooperative or communicative. Edith greeted TJ each session with warmth, encouraging him gently when vocabulary words were difficult. TJ's confidence grew quickly and his reading skills improved. After only three weeks, a noticeable difference began to take place at home and at school.
At a recent family event at the Marshall School, TJ's mother told Edith that there were no more morning struggles at home. In fact, she said, TJ rushes out of the house, telling her that he doesn't want to be late for his sessions with Miss Edith.
The Letter
Emily was meeting her student, Geidy, for the first time. Emily tried to get Geidy to talk, but by the end of the session Geidy was only saying, "yes," or "no," and not much more.
The next session went a little better. Emily pulled out Clifford's Kitten and asked, "Have you ever seen Clifford, or read about him?"
"I've seen him," Geidy whispered.
"Good. Now we can read more about him," Emily said.
Geidy barely whispered in reply, but she responded to all of the questions Emily asked as they read through the book.
Later that week, when Geidy came to her session, she brought a piece of chocolate and a handmade card for Emily.
"To the teacher I like," Geidy had written. "You are my best teacher. I want to know more about you. I love you so much. You are my best best best best teacher."
The girl who at the beginning of the week could barely talk had written a long letter filled with words of thanks to her new friend. Her last sentence summed it all up. "I like Emily."
Part of the Solution
After Peter Wieler retired from a career as a software engineer he wanted an opportunity "give something back." He joined Experience Corps and was assigned to mentor Ruben, a 6th grader in Roxbury.
"His perspective on the world is so different from mine… and that has helped keep my mind open," Peter says. "At the end of last year, I asked him how the year had been for him. Ruben gave a long pause and responded, 'Well, I like hanging out with you. You're not part of the problem, you're part of the solution.'"
Enormous Gains in Literacy Skills
Liz Steinhauser, director of youth programs, St. Stephens Episcopal Church
The individual attention and emphasis on comprehension of the Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) tutors leads to enormous gains in literacy skills among participating students. It's clear how much the students love working with the tutors and, most of the time, reading itself.
A Trusted Guide
C. Sura O'Mard Gentle, principal, Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School
Through all of these activities, Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) mentors talk with the students and offer kind advice. By being a trusted guide and an active listener, each tutor encourages their child to develop good social and academic skills, responsible values and a positive identity.
An Essential Element
Mildred Ruiz-Allen, principal, William Blackstone Elementary School
The individual, one-to-one attention Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) tutors provide is critical for under performing students who need to recover lost ground. The program also fosters important relationships between children and older adults, which is an essential element to the growth of each student.
The Program Works
Suzanne Federspeil, principal, Thomas J. Kenney Elementary School
The Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) tutors working in my school are having a positive impact on our students' academic and social performance. The students are boosting their self-esteem and elevating their self-confidence. Many of the members live close by, so some children have begun to establish outside friendships developed from the tutoring sessions. They are becoming like surrogate grandparents. I know that the members gain as much as the children. I see it in their faces when a child who didn't read suddenly turns around due to their efforts. The program works.
When Can I Read With You Again?
Caitlin Hollister, education director, Blue Hill Avenue Clubhouse
I am continually impressed by the talent and dedication of our Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) members. This strong partnership allows us to offer consistent one-on-one reading assistance to kids for the first time in our clubs history. Without this, we would be unable to fill a critical gap in our after-school programming. Kids who once shied away from books are now eager to see their reading coaches, asking, "When can I read with you again?"
Much Needed Support
Marilyn Modestino-Pastor, first grade teacher, Thomas J. Kenny School
Not only does the tutoring double the attention and help that the students receive, but as a teacher, I receive much needed support from the tutors in the classroom. The presence of another adult in the classroom frees me to work with students who need the most help. Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) makes the school day a lot more manageable.
A Wonderful Source
Paulette Gray, grandmother of Kaydriana Gray, Nathan Hale School
Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) has been a wonderful source of tutoring for Kaydriana. She loves Ms. McDonald. I have been invited to the different activities at the school and see how much the tutors help the children. Ms. McDonald always had that special little extra mile to go with the children.
Thank you
Parent at family outreach event
We are very impressed with Farah's reading progress. Thank you for your work with our daughter.
She's the One who Made Cassie Love to Read
Elizabeth Hardy, mother of Cassie Hardy, Kenney School
We're trying to get in touch with the Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston) tutor because we want to invite her to Cassie's First Communion. She has to be there. She's the one who made Cassie love to read!
A Significant Change
Hector Alvarez, parent
As a parent I've seen a significant change in my daughter's ability to write, read, and identify words. I give a lot of credit to the wonderful tutors from the Generations Incorporated (host to Experience Corps Boston).
A Sense of Self
Ellen Kelly, Experience Corps member
The story I like to tell is about my little man, Herbie. He just had a terrible time. He didn't want to come for tutoring. He was literally on the floor screaming, "No, no, they think I'm stupid. I don't want to come." I finally got him to join me, and Herbie turned out to be just wonderful. He accomplished a great deal, and he developed a sense of self that was just marvelous. He did well in school, and they tell me that he did well in many other subjects, not only his reading.