ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
America Reads Denison students serve as America Reads tutors for elementary students in the surrounding community, while also providing extra individual attention and serving as role models. This assessment asked the AR Tutors to reflect on how the tutoring experience impacted their civic perspectives and affected their choices for what they want to pursue after Denison:
“Working with children…has given me tremendous insight into what it means to be human. I have learned much about the things that motivate and inspire both myself and others. Each one of these children will one day be an adult who hopefully will be lastingly and positively influenced, as I have, by the great personal growth, social and academic, that we have mutually undergone through participation in these programs. Working with children in these capacities has allowed me to recognize the importance of a quality education, and the immeasurable difference that…patience and compassion can make. I admire most the passionate zeal and simple excitement of those with whom I have worked, teachers, tutors, volunteers and others. In beginning my search for something to do post-Denison, my experiences with America Reads have had significant influence on the various paths that I have considered. A vast majority of the positions that I have applied for and considered in some way have an educational and/or outreach component. In the end, I am excited to be joining an organization, Teach For China. This is perhaps the most direct way that I can apply all of the skills I have acquired at Denison, chief among them the experience [of] working within the education system. I will continue to pursue my interest in the plethora of issues faced by educators and the youth for whose futures they work.”
“I can’t even count all of the ways this program has been a vital part of my education at Denison. This past summer, I landed an internship opportunity with the literacy team at a small company that sells education products. Fall semester I completed an independent research project on Fountas and Pinnell’s leveled reading system. This semester, I am completing a senior research project in which I’ve compiled feedback from literacy coordinators in our community. I hope to restructure our tutor training to assure that we are as effective as possible during our oneon-one tutoring sessions. As I plan for my future, I continuously find myself attracted to jobs that focus on literacy learning or instruction. In my opinion much of this interest has stemmed from my involvement with America Reads. My experience with this program has truly made an impact on me as a college student, a mentor, an educator, a leader, and a member of the Denison community.”
far left \\ Denison students assembling backpacks full of school supplies for students in the local community during the MLK Day Service Challenge left \\ Students making bag lunches at the Salvation Army during the MLK Day Service Challenge
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STUDENT DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES \\ DENISON UNIVERSITY