The Army helps maintain America's present prosperity, but it is the children that will determine America's future.
Just as today's Soldiers are Army Strong thanks to multiple programs provided by the Army, the Army is also providing programs to help children grow up and reach their potential.
The Fort McPherson Community Outreach Program offers opportunities for grade school children in four elementary schools via volunteer tutoring.
The program, which started in 1992 at U.S. Army Forces Command, partners volunteers with kids who may be having trouble keeping up with their peers, said Zelmer Dawes, U.S. Army Garrison Community Outreach Program specialist.
The goal is to provide opportunities for volunteers to give back to the community and help build future leaders, she added.
"There's a need to help the children grasp things a lot better," Dawes said. "If they don't get it at a low level, they have more problems and are more likely to drop out."
Preventing this from happening was one motivating factor for Karen Twitty, wife of Brig. Gen. Stephen Twitty, chief of staff for Third Army/U.S Army Central (Third Army), who tutors at Fitch Elementary School.
"Research says that if a child has a good foundation in primary grades, kindergarten through second (grade), they do better throughout school," she said. "You have to catch them early."
Her other motivating factor: following her passion to teach, something she almost lost the ability to do while managing her Family.
"My husband and I decided I should stay at home with our 4-year-old daughter, Brooke," she said. "But my husband knew I needed to be out. I can't just sit at home and do nothing. I need to have my have hands on something."
Thus, when Stephen was briefed on the program by Dawes while she was looking for volunteers from his command, Dawes said Stephen readily volunteered his wife.
"This allows me to do my passion and still be a mom," said Twitty, who is a certified teacher in kindergarten through ninth grade and tutors between two and four hours a week.
For those without teaching certification, there are still opportunities to volunteer, as all tutors are given training before taking on the job. Dawes said all volunteers are trained over the course of four hours on how to tutor and mentor children, as well as provide tips on how to get lessons across to kids.
Seeing those lessons get across is a powerful thing to witness, especially for Capt. Jennie Choi, marine and terminal operations officer for Third Army G-4. Like Twitty, Choi tutors at Fitch Elementary, but unlike Twitty, she does not have a teaching background.
Still, Choi said she always enjoyed working with kids and, while looking for volunteer opportunities, thought this would be a good fit.
"You have the chance to make such an impact on young kids," she said. "You have so much potential to affect them when they are young."
Choi is stamping that impact on four third graders by tutoring them in math, coordinating her efforts by working with Walda Jefferson, Fitch Elementary math program coordinator.
"Math is definitely my stronger subject," Choi said of why she chose to tutor that subject, adding she didn't see a lot of other math tutors.
Many tutors, like Twitty, are focusing on reading and language arts.
Twitty works with second graders from teacher Susan Cause's class.
"In a perfect world, there would be two teachers in a class; one to teach and other to see who is getting it," Twitty said. By volunteering,
Twitty is trying to make the world a little bit more perfect for Cause's class. While striving for perfection is admirable, it is important for the tutors to not always expect to achieve it, Dawes said.
"We tell our volunteers they may not always see progress (right away), but if they keep doing it, they'll see it," she said. "A lot of kids come to school with baggage. They (mentors) need to set their goals high but can't expect overnight success."
For Choi, that meant being satisfied with seeing gradual improvement over time.
"You need to think of the big picture. The kids are not perfect all the time, but its all about the kids all the time," she said. "You need to be persistent and have a good attitude."
Although it can be tough to always be positive, Twitty said the kids can surprise you and make a rough day brighter.
"Every day something funny happens," she said. "You need to realize there's no point in getting frustrated."
For those who think they have the patience for tutoring children, the call for volunteers happens in June, Dawes said. Still, people can contact her now if interested. Even if not interested in tutoring,
Twitty said people can still help by donating supplies to the school.
"If you don't have time to volunteer, donate loose-leaf paper, pencils and pens," she said, adding other miscellaneous school supplies can also be donated.
As for those willing to take up the challenge, all one needs is a little patience and a lot of love for kids, Twitty said.
"These kids are still so receptive. You can do more than just teach academics. You can teach life lessons."
Social Sharing