Last September I had a discussion with Mary Skipper and Amie Capodanno from TechBoston Academy about the MCAS test and the concerns some of the TBA students had about this test. Many felt they would need some extra help in preparing for such a test. They approached me with the idea of an after school-tutoring program.
Having worked with TechBoston and TechBoston Academy with a variety of initiatives over the past three years, I have developed a strong interest in the academic development of the students involved with the program. As a strong partner with the Citizen Schools summer apprenticeship program, I have some teaching experience under my belt. Along with my co-worker, Wayne Anderson, we decided to commit ourselves as volunteer tutors for the TechBoston Academy.
The tutoring classes are held twice a week. Wayne generally tutors on Monday. I generally tutor on Tuesday or Thursday.
The classes are held in a TBA classroom and all are welcome to attend. What began as a class of a couple of students has grown to nearly a full classroom each week. We are very excited about this.
We have received wonderful feedback from both the students and the TBA faculty on what we have accomplished with the students over the past several months. It is a great feeling for Wayne and I to see results from individual students who, just a few months ago, were struggling with a certain class or subject matter.
Our goal is to help the students not only pass the MCAS test, but achieve high grades in their High School classes. Acceptance into college is becoming more and more competitive. We discuss with the students the long-term benefits of earning high grades in High School. Many students are now asking serious questions about how to apply to college, what college classes are like, what to study, how to prepare, and what to do after college.
As a recent MBA graduate I am a strong believer in the need for continuing education. I am glad to discuss these topics with the students. I am glad the students are asking these questions.
It should be noted that our Lexmark management staff fully supports the work Wayne and I have put into this tutoring program.
Once we presented the initiatives of TechBoston and the TBA, we gained full authorization to take valuable time from our workweek to tutor the students.

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