When I arrived on campus, I noticed that the parking lots were as full as I'd ever seen them. Later, the ASC coordinator told me that student enrollment is up this year.
The newest, most recognizable building on campus is called the Gateway Center . . .
. . . and inside the Gateway Center is my favorite place on campus.
There were many students streaming in, ready to learn -- although there wasn't much for me to do the first day, since no students are facing a deadline for an essay the first week of college. The only help I gave was showing people how to log onto their student accounts, where to go for placement exams, how to access online homework assignments and course information.
The Academic Support Center, where I hang out, is located on the first floor of the college library.
This is a community college in one of the more affluent suburban areas of New York. Yet we still get many students who have various challenges -- some are poor, many speak English as a second language, many are also working while they go to school, or taking care of kids; some of them have a long commute by bus.
Sometimes we tutors wonder if we really do any good at all, if we're ever getting through to people. (In case you can't read the quote: "It is better to write a bad first draft than to write no first draft at all.") But we keep on trying -- helping students write their own stories on their own blank slates.
17 comments:
I hope that when you get your "forever" home (or let's say forever for now home) you are able to continue your good work at a new college. What you do is so valuable, not just for the writing help, but the mentoring in general. Sometimes all it takes is one good role model and a kid is off to a new start.
I agree with Barbara. After working in school systems for over thirty years, I have witnessed time after time the huge difference that good tutors make in the lives of students. Thank you for doing this important work, and for sharing it in this post.
Donna
www.retirementreflections.com
I guarantee that tutors make a difference and are remembered for it. During grad school, I graded papers for the physics department (without a book, much less an "answer sheet"!) and tutored differential equations for some of the engineering students. Later, I worked with some of each set of students and heard from them how much they appreciated the time I took in explaining problem solutions in physics or approaches to solving the differential equations. (One of the students even became a VP in the company for which I worked the last 14 years of my career.)
Cop Car
Tutors make a tremendous difference! The one-on-one attention, which teachers cannot give, is invaluable. There will be times when you wonder if it's worth it, and when students my not be appreciative, and some may not know how to thank you. But as a teacher of many years of working with special needs students, I can vouch for your usefulness!
Oh, that back to school feeling at the beginning of the school year. I remember it well. Filled with excitement and anticipation of new experiences and new learning opportunities.
The practice of giving of yourself and your time will of course benefit others as well as benefit you. It is so life affirming to be able to know you are making an impact on another person's life. Maybe the student won't be a high achiever academically, but he or she will know that someone cared enough to spend time with them and give them a hand at this important point in life's journey.
The thing about teaching is that you often don't really know what kind of long term impact you may have. You hope for the best. Sometimes I do hear from a former student or the parent of a student -- rare but gratifying.
So glad your new digs are close enough to the college for you to volunteer again. As a former teacher, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your contribution. I believe a committed tutor can make an incredible impact on students. Students are often able to be more vulnerable in a one-on-one setting, and tutors are able to customize learning. Hoping this might be your best year yet!!
I am sure your students profit from your tutoring. Every bit helps.
I taught for many years and eventually I got tired of all the rules and paperwork that got in the way of teaching.
You are doing a truly wonderful thing.
Not only that you volunteer your time and knowledge. You need to be patient and express well. You are a very kind and intelligent person!
Volunteering....so American!
My name is Emily Justin from Canada. I never believed in love spells or magic until i met this spell caster once when i went to Africa in February this year on a business summit. I meant a man who’s name is DR YAKAN BODO he is really powerful and could help cast spells to bring back one’s gone, lost, misbehaving lover and magic money spell or spell for a good job or luck spell .I’m now happy & a living testimony cos the man i had wanted to marry left me 3 weeks before our wedding and my life was upside down cos our relationship has been on for 3 years. I really loved him, but his mother was against us and he had no good paying job. So when i met this spell caster DR YAKAN BODO, i told him what happened and explained the situation of things to him. At first i was undecided, skeptical and doubtful, but i just gave it a try. And in 2 days when i returned to Canada, my boyfriend (now husband) called me by himself and came to me apologizing that everything had been settled with his mom and family and he got a new job interview so we should get married. I didn't believe it cos the spell caster only asked for my name and my boyfriends name and all i wanted him to do. Well we are happily married now and we are expecting our little kid, and my husband also got the new job and our lives became much better. His email is: yakanbodosolutionhome@yahoo.com .or call his number: +13397932015.
I have to give this miraculous testimony, which is so unbelievable until now. my name is Victor Wood Smith I had a problem with my Ex Wife July-25-2015, which lead to our break up. when she broke up with me, I was not my self again, i felt so empty inside me, my love and financial situation became worst, until a close friend of mine Jacobs told me about a home of miracle healer who helped him in the same problem too his name is Doctor Morusa from South Africa, I email Doctor Morusa the home of miracle and i told him my problem and i did what he asked of me, to cut the long story short. Before i knew what was happening within 24 hours my wife gave me a call and told me that She was coming back to me in just 24 hours and was so happy to have her back to me. We have two kids together and we are happy with ourselves. Thanks to Doctor Morusa homeofmiraclehealer@gmail.com for saving my relationship and for also saving others own too. continue your good work, If you are interested to contact him and testify this blessings like me, the great spell caster Via email address is homeofmiraclehealer@gmail.com Call +27746119056 or facebook at (Doctorl Morusa) you are the best among all the spell caster online I hope you see my testimonies which i promise to share. Thanks
Hello I am mad kall from Canada, just want to say thank to Dr.Osuko the great spell caster.My marriage of 9years with three kids was about to come to an end when the great spell caster came to my aid.After 2days that he began work my husband came back and told me he did not know what came over him that made him file a divorce.it was like i miracle because i had pleased with him for weeks,and i bought him a new car which he rejected and i even ask for the reason he wanted to divorce me but he said nothing. i was unhappy he has left me for another woman i saw a comment of Dr.Osuko how he help lot of people getting back their lover back to them i told him my problem he said he is going to help me get him back i thought it was a jock he said in four days my husband is going to come back to me on that faithful week my husband called me and said he is coming back home it was a dream to me until i saw him that we were all happy please every body in case you are facing this kind of problem contacted him, he is a great man email: osukospelltemple@gmail.com. Thanks Dr.Osuko
Hello I am mad kall from Canada, just want to say thank to Dr.Osuko the great spell caster.My marriage of 9years with three kids was about to come to an end when the great spell caster came to my aid.After 2days that he began work my husband came back and told me he did not know what came over him that made him file a divorce.it was like i miracle because i had pleased with him for weeks,and i bought him a new car which he rejected and i even ask for the reason he wanted to divorce me but he said nothing. i was unhappy he has left me for another woman i saw a comment of Dr.Osuko how he help lot of people getting back their lover back to them i told him my problem he said he is going to help me get him back i thought it was a jock he said in four days my husband is going to come back to me on that faithful week my husband called me and said he is coming back home it was a dream to me until i saw him that we were all happy please every body in case you are facing this kind of problem contacted him, he is a great man email: osukospelltemple@gmail.com. Thanks Dr.Osuko
I have never given a testimonial like this before, but for any doubters, let me tell you Dr. Todd is the REAL DEAL! His work, time and advice are invaluable. I only wish I had found him sooner in my life!! I contacted Dr. Todd regarding a lost love. I was pretty much a mess and willing to try anything to get this man back. After my initial consultation with Dr. Todd, I moved forward with the work he recommended. Even though he was very forthright by saying the chances of our reconcile were very slim, I felt I had to at least try and it was worth the cost for his services. He stayed with me every step of the way, any time I had a question or concern, he replied back to my emails usually within hours. The work we did was to heal myself and not as focused on him, which now in retrospect, is exactly what I needed. Todd's email: manifestspellcast@gmail.com
Post a Comment