When I wrote my name and email address down on the signup sheet for Boys and Girls Club Tutoring, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect—but I’m glad that I did. Every Thursday evening, I join other Lafayette students and we all go to Easton and help elementary schoolers with their homework, or with worksheets that we provide them. It’s a large bunch of kids for a small amount of tutors, so each Lafayette student works with a table of kids at a time. This may sound hectic (which it is), but the results are extremely rewarding.
In one instance, I was working with a girl named Nija, who was five years old. She was practicing spelling her name, but each time she wrote it, the ‘N’ was backwards. I explained to her what it should look like and drew it out a few times for her until she got it right. When she did, she had a big smile on her face then continued rewriting her name. Though this was just a seemingly small improvement, it made me feel good about myself for helping this child learn.
On another day, one of the girls asked for help on her homework. She was learning multiplication with multi-digit numbers and she shared that she had a test on it the next day. I worked through the page with her until she answered every problem correctly and had her explain each step she took in the process. At the end, she told me that she was “going to do great” on her test. The next week, I asked her how the test went and she said it went very well. These two experiences made me realize that I can make a difference, however big or small. It was empowering to think that I have the ability to help others succeed, even if it’s only in elementary school.
I must admit that some weeks I feel like I don’t have time for this community service, but my obligation to this group forces me to go and I always feel happier and good about myself afterwards. The kids are at the age when they are developing their work habits, and the students from Lafayette try to enforce good study skills that will hopefully last throughout their education.