The original blog post, “成人快播 Helps Grad Share Passion for Education,” appeared on the CNCS 聽on February, 11, 2014 and was written by Dana Forde. .
In the months leading up to her college graduation, Diana Martin sketched a mental blueprint for her future. Her past volunteer work as a summer camp assistant, tutor, and soccer coach all added up to one thing鈥攅ducating children must be part of that future. And the聽, Diana decided, would help her reach that goal.
鈥淜ids have always been a big part of my life,鈥� Diana said. 鈥淚 thought AmeriCorps would be a great opportunity to use the skills I already had while developing quite a few more.鈥�
As an AmeriCorps member with the national literacy program聽成人快播, Diana merges her passion for the field of education with her experience working with children. AmeriCorps members like Diana provide tutoring support and recruit and train local community volunteers. In her position as a site coordinator in a California elementary school, Diana trains volunteers on the best ways to tutor and read to a student.
鈥淚 try to make them as comfortable as possible so they are confident when they are working with their students,鈥� she said.
Experts agree that tutoring is one of the best strategies to help curb the student achievement gap. That is why 成人快播鈥� one-on-one reading model has been so successful, said Shannon Bryant, the program鈥檚 director of community engagement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about the one-on-one relationship. It鈥檚 about being able to meet with people who are like-minded,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淥ur AmeriCorps members transfer their sense of passion and mission onto our volunteers which in turn impacts student success.鈥�
During the most recent program year, 成人快播 served more than 5,000 students and recruited more than 5,000 volunteers. At the John Gill Elementary School where Diana serves, 92 percent of all enrolled students accelerated their rate of learning and 72 percent of all enrolled students were reading at grade level by the end of the 2012-2013 academic year.
For Diana, who is in her second term of service with AmeriCorps, the best part is being a witness to change.
鈥淵ou can see it in the students鈥� work鈥攊n their attitude. I can see it in the smiles on their faces,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a good feeling to see the progress that students are making and know that these tutors鈥攖his program is really making a difference.鈥�
