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Whiz Kids Mentors Mariemont’s Youngest Learners By Pete McBride & Suzy Weinland “Tutoring has the power to boost children’s academic scores, create strong readers and improve confidence. But our volunteers become so much more than tutors. They become mentors, friends and positive role models that change the lives of children beyond the classroom.” – City Gospel Mission Whiz Kids, a community outreach service sponsored by City Gospel Mission, provides tutoring for 1,100 at-risk children at 58 locations in Greater Cincinnati. It is a literacy-based, one-to-one tutoring and mentoring program that has been recognized as a “Best Practice Program” by the Ohio Governor’s office. Working closely with local churches and organizations, local Whiz Kids groups embrace a neighborhood public elementary school, develop relationships with school administrators, and provide tutors for the children. In 2016, Mariemont Elementary (ME) School principal Ericka Simmons reached out to Jamie Keyes, who is the school’s administrative assistant, and her husband, Village Church of Mariemont Pastor Todd Keyes, to ask if their church and community members would have an interest in sponsoring a Whiz Kids program at ME. “Erika had seen the positive impact Whiz Kids had on students at the school where she used to teach, and wanted to bring that offering to Mariemont students,” said Jamie. Jamie is the site coordinator for the ME Whiz Kids program and leads a group of
volunteer mentors and around 10-15 students in grades 1-3 who have been recommended for the program by their teachers and ME reading specialists. Tutoring is one-onone, and the more tutors there are, the more students who can be mentored. Tutoring sessions take Whiz Kids mentor Pete McBride shares a book and some laughs with an ME place right after student. school for about one hour each afternoon session – of course that is after their week. According to Jamie, so far students snacks, which are provided by the tutors. are increasing their reading by at least two levels throughout the school year. When asked what the biggest challenge And while the group’s main emphasis is is, Jamie chuckled, “Meeting at 3:20, when the helping to strengthen the students’ reading kids have just finished putting in seven hours at skills, mentors are also there to provide school!” But, on the flip side, she adds that the encouragement and support for kids who most cherished successes are when “the lights go may also be struggling with school in on in kids’ heads when they have a breakthrough general. in their reading. Also seeing the incredible bonds of friendship that are created between the tutors “We want them to know that we have and students.” confidence in them and that we are there to help them reach their greatest potential,” she Jamie gives a nod to the Whiz Kids’ parents, said. who she said have been very supportive. “Some of our families are doing the best they can to Jamie’s husband, Pastor Todd, serves as a work hard to provide for their families, and tutor as well as the coordinator for the mentor sometimes that means extra time to help with team. Jack Smith, long-time friend of the their kids’ homework or practice reading is not a Mariemont City School District and experienced luxury. But to know there are adults who want to mentor/tutor, shares character building lessons, help their students to become better readers and entitled “Winners Walk Tall,” with the students better students, means the world to the parents.” at the beginning of each Whiz Kid Wednesday Cont'd on page 6