A Teacher's Story

I’m Nancy Hill, a third grade teacher. This is the second year we’ve been involved with Generations Incorporated. We truly have been lucky. I remember the days in September when the Experience Corps volunteers came to our school. The air was still warm and I was beginning to know the different reading levels of my 28 students, which ranged from a 4th grade to a 1st grade reading level.

Among the many papers that came my way that first month, was a packet of forms to recommend students for the Reading Coaches program. As I stood there, clutching a pile of papers, balancing my coffee and the attendance folder, three faces immediately popped into my head and a smile came across my face. I knew that these three students, who so dearly needed one-on-one attention and extra instruction in reading, were going to get just that.

A few weeks later I was teaching a lesson on weather when the door opened. Anne, an Experience Corps volunteer, smiled and asked, “May I meet with Shantel now?” I couldn’t help but smile back. This was the first day of tutoring! Then I turned to Shantel, expecting the same jubilant expression that Anne and I both had… but Shantel was not jubilant. Instead she had sunk into her chair with her arms crossed, and her lips stuck out in a pout. “Shantel,” I whispered, “You get to go read with Anne! All by yourself!” After a few more reassurances, Shantel finally left to meet her tutor.

It was not long at all until Shantel would smile and look forward to reading with her tutor. She soon marched proudly across the room to meet Anne while a chorus of voices would say, “Hey! No fair.” Throughout the year, Shantel would come back with a huge smile, as she said, “Ms. Hill, Anne said I did a good job! Ms. Hill, look what I read! Ms. Hill look what I wrote! Look at the sticker Anne gave me!” The confidence that came from the attention and praise that Shantel recieved often carried throughout the day. She seemed more self-confident, enough to raise her hand during class. She was proud rather than embarrassed when she showed me the book she was able to read, even though it was on a first grade level.

The differences I’ve seen in Shantel have been the same things I’ve noticed in other Reading Coaches students since last fall. Because of Generations Incorporated, so many students this year have had an increase in self-esteem, a greater interest in books, and a noticeable increase in reading ability.

But the benefits of Reading Coaches have gone far beyond the students who were tutored. Because of this program, we have had senior citizens helping out in our school, which has created greater depth to the definition of school as a place of community. I have seen a sparkle in the volunteers’ eyes, the sparkle that comes from giving of yourself and knowing the importance of what you are doing, the kind of sparkle that does not die down once you leave the building. Because of this program, students have been anxious to get home because in their hands they hold colorful notes from their tutors for a job well done. Bulletin boards decorated by Experience Corps volunteers have given color to our hallways and celebrated the work students have done with their tutors…the program’s site coordinators and volunteers have extended our conversations about students, and have been cheerful additions to our professional lives. I want you to know that these effects, even the detailed ones, have not gone unnoticed.

Only a few weeks ago Anne came into our teacher’s lounge, where four of us were having lunch, her face was beaming. As she placed her soup in the microwave, she told us about her last day of tutoring with David, another student she was helping. At the end of their session, she reminded David that this was their last day. “But you’ll be my tutor next year, right?” he asked with pleading eyes. Anne slowly shook her head. “No, you’re reading well enough now, so you don’t need a tutor” she replied. “But I’ll still be working here so we’ll see each other almost everyday.”

David then held his lips tight as tears filled his eyes and then slid down his cheeks. He put his head down on his arms. Anne did her best to console David. She even suggested they become pen pals. David agreed that would be a good idea, and his face brightened with a wide smile.

We all cheered for Anne when she told this story to us. I cheered because I know that feeling, the incredible high that comes from having a positive effect on a child. I also cheered because this was a story that came about because of the energy and dedication of others who have been working beyond the walls of our classrooms to better the education of our students. I cheered because I knew these connections were happening all over the building between Experience Corps volunteers and students. I know these stories are not unique to our school but are shared by all the schools and after-school programs that Generations Incorporated serves.

I want to thank all the Experience Corps volunteers, whose giving spirit and care for their communities make this program work. You make such a difference in the lives of our students. I also want to thank the Generations Incorporated staff and all who are involved with the funding and organization of this program. On behalf of all of us that are lucky enough to have Experience Corps volunteers in our buildings, I thank you very much.