Barbara Dawson --  Helping Volunteers Raise Academic Achievement

One Child at a Time

Columnist Ellen Goodman once wrote, "I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people who are convinced they are about to change the world.  I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference after another."

Ellen Goodman would definitely be impressed with the small army of volunteers who make up the "Our Children - Our Future" tutoring program.  The work of Volunteer Program Manager Barbara Dawson and the nearly 400 tutors the program has trained and placed this year in Memphis City Schools is making a positive difference with the 650 children they work with each week.

"Our Children - Our Future," the district's official tutoring program for students struggling in math and reading, started in 2002 under a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis.  It is now administered through Community Partnerships/Volunteer Services in the Department of Student Support Services.

Mrs. Dawson joined Memphis City Schools in 2002 to manage the new program after 16 years with the Memphis Literacy Council.  Beginning with 21 schools, the program has grown to include 34 schools. Since its start nearly six years ago, as the district's reading and math scores have steadily improved, teachers of many of the tutored students report back that not only are the students' grades and competency levels improving, but in most cases, their self-confidence and classroom behavior shows improvement as well.

"Changes in attitudes about learning and increased self-confidence, which occur when a student receives a little extra help with something he or she has been struggling with, can't be measured on a test," Mrs. Dawson said, "but those changes do positively affect outcomes."

Comments from those involved in the program, from students to tutors to school personnel, demonstrate what the program means to both students and tutors.  One tutor wrote, " I have a little girl who was a struggling reader at the beginning of the year.  She did not like to read because it was embarrassing to her. At the end of the year, I took a book to read to her class and she said, 'No, I want to read the book.'  So she picked up the book that she had never read before and read it to her class!  It brought tears to my eyes because I was so proud."  Another tutor said, "The student that I tutor is very excited about learning and doing well on her exams.  Her enthusiasm makes my job almost too easy! I also wish that this program could continue through the summer.  We have had such a good time working together that I hate to quit!" 

Comments from students echo the changes that one-on-one tutoring can bring.  One student wrote to her tutor, "I thank you for tutoring me. I thank you for teaching me how to read with excitement!  Now that you have taught me how to read with excitement, people have started to tell me that I am the best reader they have ever heard."

"Without the commitment of our volunteers to helping our children, one child at a time, this program could not succeed.  And I am grateful for the support of all the wonderful people in Community Partnerships/Volunteer Services and the Department of Student Support Services in helping to make this service available to the students of Memphis City Schools," Mrs. Dawson said.

Barbara Dawson is a product of the Memphis City Schools, having graduated from White Station High School.  She went on to earn her bachelor of science degree in education and teaching certification from The University of Memphis.  Her family includes her husband David, a 20-year-old son, a 22-year-old daughter, and two Springer spaniels, Chester and Mr. Cracker.