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Toni Chanakas · Volunteer Tutor
September 22nd, 2008
Since September is literacy month, I elected this time to communicate my experience with “Seeds of Literacy” as a volunteer. As a volunteer, I help learners prepare in obtaining their GED. It has been a rewarding experience for me in the 19 months I have been apart of this great organization. Because of my passion for reading and writing, I try to engage my learners to comprehend what they read and offer guidance that reading can be fun. Read anything you want just as long as you read. That is what I try to stress. I also give encouragement to these learners that obtaining their GED is a reachable goal. It will just take a little time.
One particular experience that was memorable, I had a learner who did not understand the poetry section of the GED practice test. I explained to her that deciphering poetry is not as difficult as you may think. I told her, “You know what? Let’s read this aloud; and, we can work together in finding the main message.” As we read the poem together, I could instantly see on her face, that she was beginning to see in the descriptive details what the author was trying to say. The poem was about the bombing at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, the destruction and pathos of that horrific event. How the mother felt when her daughter decided to go to church that day. By the end of my session with her, I think she understood and liked poetry.
There have been several other instances when learners needed help with simple fraction or story problems. Not my strong suite, but I will always try to offer as much help as possible. Now that fall is upon us, more students have attended the W. 25th location with exuberance. I see the regulars and some new faces all with the same goal in mind, getting that long awaited GED. Every time I leave my tutoring session, I have a great sense of accomplishment that I helped a learner get one step closer to their goal.
If you want additional information in becoming a tutor, visit the web site
September 24th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Great article, Toni! Thanks for everything you do for your learners and Seeds of Literacy.
Anyone who is interested in tutoring children or adults in Cuyahoga County can also contact Cleveland Reads at 216-436-2116 or http://www.ClevelandReads.org. We provide free training and then refer you to wonderful programs like Seeds of Literacy!