Faces of community engagement: CSU students serve as tutors in schools around Cleveland

A group of dedicated Cleveland State University students spent six weeks this summer as tutors in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. They worked with children in nine schools around the city on early literacy as part of CMSD’s Early Childhood Summer Reading Academy.

For the past three years, CSU’s Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education has partnered with CMSD to place tutors in the district. Thirty to 50 tutors work in the schools during the academic year, around 30 participate in the Summer Reading Academy.

Through the program, CSU students get the chance to engage in the community, experience working with children and professionals in the schools, as well as summer employment. Below, ten of them reflect on their experiences.

Rokeishia Smith, Graduate Student, School Psychology

“My tutoring experience has been beyond amazing and important to my career choice. Being able to work with children closely has helped me understand how they think and grow, and how we as educators can facilitate that process. I enjoy working with professional teachers such as Ms. Dickerson and Ms. Tinko, who have been teaching children for over 20 years. They are super supportive of us tutors and welcome us into their classrooms. But I mostly enjoy the creativity that goes on in the classroom and how the students draw and color so imaginatively. This is a wonderful experience for anyone going into any field in education.”

Jordan Banks, Senior, Psychology

“This has been one of the most eye opening experiences that I have ever had! The children are very bright and they have creative imaginations. I worked with children in two classrooms to strengthen their vocabulary, comprehension, number sense, and problem solving skills. There was not a day that went by where I did not leave that building smiling.”

Laura Burkiewicz, Senior, Early Childhood Education

“I have enjoyed my first tutoring experience at George Washington Carver. I was able to read along with students, and guide them through their writing skills. I gained experience in conducting running records and developed a wonderful rapport with the students. It was a great way to experience reading instruction within the classroom. I enjoyed spending time with the students and developed friendships with many of the staff members. The school was very welcoming and I really enjoyed it!”

Jordan Sadler, Junior, Math

“I woke up every day looking forward to helping my students.”

Mikale Thomas, Junior, Chemistry

“To say that I had fun tutoring this summer would be an understatement! I am grateful for the opportunity to bolster the next generation of young readers and be a part of countless, bright-eyed flashes of new understanding.”

Jessica Lappert, Graduate Student, Early Childhood Education

“I loved working at George Washington Carver this summer! The hands-on experience working with the Leveled Literacy program was invaluable. I really feel as though I made a difference with the students I worked with! This was a really great experience overall!”

Gabrielle Alvarez, Graduate Student, School Psychology

“I have tutored at Thomas Jefferson Newcomer Academy for two years for the Summer Reading Academy. I was privileged to help third-grade students from various countries strengthen their reading and math skills. These students came to the U.S. speaking little or no English. I was able to help instill the love of reading by bringing in books, reading together, writing reflections, and giving them books to take home to create their own home library. Tutoring at Thomas Jefferson was rewarding. Seeing the children’s faces light up when they grasped an idea or concept reminded me of why I chose to work with children and advocate on their behalf.”

Emma Church, Sophomore,Psychology and Anthropology

“Working with the students at G.W. Carver was an amazing learning experience for not only the children but myself, as well. I met an abundance of outgoing students and staff along the way, learning so much more than I would have enjoying my summer any other way! I am so glad to have participated in the program and hope that many more enjoy it as much as I did.”

Angelica Houston, Senior, Biology

“It was a great experience tutoring the children. While facilitating connections with the students and the material, I learned a lot about myself, as well. I finally know what it is like to wake up and love your job.”

Victoria Thompson, Senior, Early Childhood Education

“My tutoring experience at Mound Elementary was an amazing experience. I loved working with the children, seeing smiles on their faces as they were learning. I loved observing professional teachers, learning from them as I worked with them. This experience furthermore proved to me that the field that I have chosen is the best one for me, and made me feel more confident as a future teacher. I really appreciate that Cleveland State University allowed me to be part of this program because it benefited my skills and teaching, and for that I am forever grateful!”