Church members volunteer time to tutoring students
It’s amazing how things sometimes work out. Debbie Rittenhouse, curriculum coordinator for the Uniontown Area School District, had read an article about the benefits of volunteer tutors in the classroom and was wondering how to find volunteers to start a local program when the Rev. Dr. John Sharp walked into her office.
Sharp is the retired pastor of Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Uniontown and was representing a group of church members who wanted to offer their services.
“We had this conversation – a group of us through the church – about children and children’s needs. We focused on the idea of offering tutoring to children,’ Sharp recalled.
When Sharp presented the proposal to Rittenhouse, she responded, “You’re an answer to a prayer.’
That was three years ago. For the participants, the time has gone by quickly. After gaining clearances and training, the volunteers went to work at Lafayette School, helping students in first and second grade learn to read.
The volunteers include Sharp, who retired as pastor in 2000; his wife, Tonye Sharp, a retired art teacher and reading specialist; Mary Kay Kuhns, retired nurse; Don Buttermore, retired math teacher; Linda King, retired nurse; George Tanner, retired engineer; and Retta Semans, retired administrative secretary for U.S. Steel Corp.
The volunteers work from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, each volunteering one or two days a week as their schedules allow. They are positioned in the classroom or just outside in the hallway, working one-on-one with students.
Principal Thomas Colebank said, “It’s a joy for me to see. The kids love to read to the volunteers. It’s nice to see a smile on a child’s face and see the joy on the volunteers’ faces as well.’
“We’re so thankful to them,’ said Rittenhouse.
Sharp said, “We have to commend the Uniontown Area School District and their personnel because they have been super.’
Asked what they like about their work, the volunteers provide thoughtful answers.
“I feel I’ve been given so many blessings,’ said Tonye Sharp. “This is one way you can give back – a way to help those in your own community. I think society works best when we care about people other than ourselves.’
King said, “I think a day spent tutoring is a good day. You hear a lot about everything that’s bad but it’s a good day if you spend time with a child – someone who’s growing up in your own community.’
“I receive a great deal of satisfaction,’ said Buttermore. “I’ve been doing this for so many years. I taught 38 years and my math honor society had to go to the elementary school and provide tutoring service for at least 20 hours a year. I got some to the point where they could go in and teach a class. They found out how enjoyable it was. I feel the same way my students did. I get a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment.’
Sharp said, “They ask me a lot of questions about myself. It has nothing to do with work. They accept you on a basic level – you are who you are.’
Training is an essential part of the volunteer tutoring program.
“They trained us in guided reading, which is a technique they use here so what we do and what the teachers do is the same thing,’ said Tonye Sharp.
Rittenhouse said, “They were very willing to learn correct prompts to say to the children when they are stuck on a word. They took the letter strips and charts – strategies when they are stuck on a word.’
“It’s amazing how well they work,’ said Sharp.
The volunteers work closely with Linda Price and Susan Dandrea, reading recovery teachers at Lafayette. Price explained teachers have materials prepared so a tutor can enter a classroom, pick up a folder and be ready to work.
“Another important aspect is that you spend a half hour of quality time with a child,’ said King.
Rittenhouse said, “It gives them an opportunity to have special just-for-me time.’
Kuhns noted how the children like to talk to the volunteers, recalling a girl who showed off her new haircut.
“She was a pretty thing and there was the word ‘beautiful’ in the story we were reading,’ said Kuhns.
“I told her ‘I think there’s a word in the story that tells me about you. Can you find it?’ She found it.’
Price said, “You just made that child’s day.’
Buttermore said, “I like to watch their minds work. Every once in a while, when they’re through working, they get up and give me a big hug.’
“The expression on their faces when they know they can do something is a reward,’ said King.
“There’s an epiphany and you see it in their faces,’ said Tonye Sharp.
The Rev. Michael Orsted, pastor of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, commended these members of the congregation, saying, “We’re very proud of the work they’re doing and hoping to get more people involved. Presbyterians are always interested in education and we’re hoping other people will join us. Dr. Sharp is doing an excellent job and we’re glad to have him heading the project.’
Uniontown Area School District officials said they would like to have more volunteer tutors and the tutors from Trinity said they would encourage others to participate. Volunteers need to gain clearance and undergo training. School officials are hoping to set up a training program this summer. Anyone who would like to volunteer should call 724-438-4501, extension 204.