It takes a village to learn: My tutoring story
March 24, 2025
By Susan Leonard, volunteer tutor with JVID视频 Tulsa
When I retired, I found myself with more time and wanted to use it meaningfully. I was deeply concerned about reading test scores in my community, so I joined JVID视频 to help kids get the one-on-one practice they need.
It didn鈥檛 take long to realize just how much support these students require鈥攅specially in a world where screens have largely replaced books. Every child is different in how they focus, learn, and engage, and I鈥檝e found that staying with the same student all year makes a real difference. It allows me to not only help improve their reading skills but also boost their confidence and, hopefully, foster a love of reading.
One of the biggest challenges is focus. Depending on the time of day, how tired or hungry they are, or just what鈥檚 on their mind, students can struggle to stay engaged. Many want to share their personal stories before diving into a lesson, and sometimes, the best thing to do is simply listen before gently steering them back to reading.
Through this experience, I鈥檝e come to appreciate just how much it truly takes a village to help a child learn. Every session is a small step toward a brighter future鈥攆or them and for our entire community.