Mississinawa Valley, pre-school to 7th grade. Mississinawa Valley also offers summer tutoring to its students through the Empowering program.
As of the end of November 2024, Mississinawa Valley had a total of 16 active tutors.
Luke McKeeth, Spanish Teacher and Program Coordinator reports:
We have tutors in Pre-school (new this year) assisting with basic literacy skills. students impacted 36 Tutors 5
We have tutors in Kindergarten supporting entire classrooms during small group time working with reading or math. Students impacted 18 Tutors 1
We have tutors in 1st Grade, assisting with language arts and as a buddy for some of our more rowdy participants in Specials. Students impacted 34 tutors 2
We have tutors in 2nd grade assisting with ELL integration in Language Arts, and Social Studies. Students impacted 2 ELL and 16 Gen Ed Tutors 1
We have tutors in the 5th grade doing small groups and one on one support for Language Arts and Social Studies. students impacted 47 Tutors 4
We have tutors in the 7th grade Assisting in a guided study hall with homework completion. Students impacted 9, Tutors 3
Impact Statement from a 1st Grade Teacher
My students LOVE when [the Tutor] comes in. He not only reads books and practices common words with them, but he also is involved with helping them think through computer issues when I am working with small groups. Wyatt also steps in easily and leads game type activities on “fun” days.
Impact statement from a 5th grade Teacher:
I have had several tutors over the past several years, and I cannot recommend this program enough! Because tutors come with varying degrees of experience and expertise, I am able to match them up with my students that need a little “extra” with either academics or behavior. This has been incredibly successful with both test scores as well as behaviors. Sometimes, students will work for a high school role model when they won’t work for anyone else.
I had a student who had never passed a state test before, and he finally passed in my class. I give credit to his tutor who worked with him daily throughout the entire year. He helped guide him when he was working on independent work, and acted as a big brother type role model. This student is still thriving in older grades with his friendships, and making good choices, in part because of this positive influence in his life.
I’ve had multiple other students improve over 1 years worth of growth in reading because of a high school tutor, which I use as a reading intervention. While this is easily measurable, it is more difficult to measure the immense self confidence this program also helps instill in my students. Kids who need a little extra attention, or who don’t have many positive role models in their life, get to see older students giving back.
I’m thankful for this program, the tutors, and Mr. McKeeth. I would love to continue this amazing intervention every year.