Last spring, Courtland Petty, 7, was struggling with math.
When she was in school, Leslie Watkins also had trouble understanding math problems.
So when she was partnered with Courtand through the Community Volunteer Center, Watkins was glad to be able to help someone else overcome those “mental blocks.”
“I find that since math was really hard for me, I can explain it better to other people,” said Watkins, whose husband, Roger, is wing commander at Columbus Air Force Base.
And Courtland, a second-grader at Joe Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School has reaped the benefits.
“Tutoring has helped him improve in his math skills, exploring different methods of learning how to solve math problems,” said Valeria Johnson, Courtland’s mother. Johnson works as a store associate at the CAFB Base Exchange.
“It helped me to discover that tutoring from someone other then myself lets me learn different aspects of learning math, especially the math that the kids are learning today at their age,” she added.
“Sometimes teachers and parents teach in the way they were taught instead of in a method that is most effective with the student,” Watkins offered. “Sometimes a tutor can help with the different methods, or just create enough of a redirection, but still get the same goal accomplished.”
Also, she said, it gets parents out of “being the bad guy.”
Volunteer tutors play a large role in ensuring student success, according to school officials.
“We have many students who are quite capable of excelling but they just need that little extra push from someone willing to spend one-on-one, uninterrupted time with them,” said Cook counselor Lisa Elmore. “Our volunteers do that. They are a valuable part of our Cook family and we are so very thankful for all they do for our children.”
“At-risk students clearly benefit from quality adult-delivered, one-on-one instruction,” Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Del Phillips added.
Johnson reports Courtland’s grades have improved, and he enjoys learning new ways to do math.
“I would like to personally thank Mrs. Leslie Watkins for her patience, understanding, caring and most of all, her time. She has been a godsend ... I cannot express my gratitude enough,” she said.
The CVC offers placement in volunteer programs in Columbus and Lowndes County schools as well as in after-school programs such as Hearts After-School Tutoring Program, Project Southside and the Boys and Girls Club.
“With school back in full swing, there is a dire need for volunteer tutors,” said Meagan Coughlin, project coordinator for the CVC.
“Whether your know it or not, volunteering connects people to resources and ultimately improves the quality of life in our community,” Coughlin said. “When you help people succeed, especially our youth, the results will be less crime, poverty and welfare.”
