Reflections of a REACH veteran

I am now in my 8^th semester as a REACH tutor and mentor.  With only two months left I find myself reflecting on what my experience has meant for my academic career, my personal life, and my future goals.

            Through REACH I have had an opportunity to pursue interests I never thought possible. It was thanks to REACH that I am now the youngest member of Ithaca’s City Council.  As amazing as these opportunities have been, REACH remains the most important aspect of my academic career.

When I began at the Paul Schreur’s Program as a freshman I simply wanted to get off campus for a couple hours a week, earn some money, and hang out with kids.  I came to campus to study journalism and pursue a career in broadcasting.  Now, at the end of my undergraduate journey, I am excited to pursue a career in education policy.  Learning about the problems of the achievement gap while simultaneously seeing first hand the stories and lives of those directly affected by inequities in our system lit a fire in me.  I am now motivated to work actively towards a solution.  I know that education is at the core of success, not just for individuals, but for our entire country.  Without a sound and equitable educational policy we will all fail.  

            My service-learning experience has shown me my own personal power.  I may not have the resources, the knowledge or the skill to change the world.  But I have discovered that by showing up every week and giving what I do have to give, I can make a change for these youth and for this community.

            

Welcome to REACH - Paul Scheur's Memorial Program

Team Leader: Kristel Keegan (kjk37@cornell.edu)

The Paul Schreurs Memorial Program offers one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to students who, for a variety of reasons, are not being academically successful. Each tutor is paired with a student and goes to the school twice a week to support the student in their schoolwork and act as a friend and role model.

The program serves middle school and high school students, and takes place at Ithaca High School, not too far from Cornell's campus. A van from the Ithaca Youth Bureau takes the tutors down to the school each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. However, you could easily walk to the school or bike there. The program runs from 3:30pm-5pm, and tutors are expected to commit to only two out of the three days per week.

In the past, we've had a hard time pairing the students one-on-one because of a shortage of consistent tutors. We are looking for tutors who are truly interested in developing a relationship with a child and committed to helping him/her to succeed. This program offers you the unique opportunity to really make a difference in a child's life. Your commitment will be rewarded as you see your mentee start to live up to their full potential. I’ve found that tutoring for Paul Schreurs has been a great way to be challenged and to be inspired.