Meet Andrew

Andrew Lautz is a GW tutor in the Ross Elementary and both Saturday tutoring programs.

(This story first appeared in the George Washington University DC Reads Newsletter.)

I’ve had the great opportunity to tutor with the For Love of Children (FLOC) program since September and it’s been both an interesting and unique experience to say the least. The first thing I noticed at FLOC was the incredible level of positive energy in the building; this energy exists in the tutors, the students, and the staff. I questioned my own ability to hit the ground running at the program just based on watching already trained tutors work with their student for two hours without skipping a beat in energy level. But what I discovered quickly was that the energy is infectious.

The satisfaction that a tutor can get from seeing a student fully comprehend what they teach them is really what drives this energy. This can be said anywhere, but at FLOC it certainly helps to have a well-trained and equally energetic staff along with a wealth of resources that keep each tutoring session interesting. The students and their tutors work in one of two large and spacious rooms. My first reaction to this spacing was skeptical; I wondered whether or not my student and I would be able to concentrate through what I thought would be chaos. However, the sense of hustle creates a sense of community; groups feed off of each other’s energy and share ideas and games. It’s far better than being isolated in a quiet classroom.

Personally, tutoring has been an amazing experience to offer what resources I do have as a college student to those who may otherwise not have the opportunity: the much aforementioned energy and an understanding of what makes these younger students tick. After all, many of us at GW were there not too long ago. Growing up in a middle-class, rural New England town allowed me to work one-on-one with my teachers which developed my learning quicker than I could have developed it on my own. I want to be able to provide that kind of learning to students who come to FLOC behind in reading or math. Many of them attend urban schools that are low on resources and high in student population. If I can give a student two hours a week to learn using methods and games that they can relate to, I hope that I can make them accelerate their learning to get them caught up to their classmates and beyond.

Any tutoring is great for the DC community, but I’m more than glad I’ve been tutoring at FLOC this year; the program meshes the structure needed to guide the tutor in their lessons but the flexibility needed to personalize the lesson for their student. The staff has been helpful each and every week and the students are engaged and interested. I can just hope that the students my classmates and I have taught have gotten as beneficial an experience as I’ve received from FLOC.

The Neighborhood Tutoring Program Welcomes Spring Interns

The Neighborhood Tutoring Program is excited to announce that we have two new interns from The Washington Center that will be working with us this semester. You’ll be seeing Ashleigh as a Site Coordinator for the Tubman Elementary and Saturday Morning tutoring programs. Lindsay will be a Site Coordinator in the Thursday Night program and will be assisting on new curriculum updates as our Curriculum Intern. So you can get to know them, here is a bit about our new interns in their own words:

My name is Ashleigh Stackpoole and I am currently a senior at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. I recently moved to Washington D.C. for an internship program through the Washington Center. I have never lived outside of New York before so I am very excited to experience Washington D.C. I chose to intern with FLOC because I am extremely passionate about achieving equality for children and young adults within our education system. I believe that education is the key to success and to have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that works to provide this for our children is invaluable.

My name is Lindsay Davis. I am originally from Chesterfield, South Carolina and am currently a junior at Coker College. I am now interning with FLOC through The Washington Center, an academic internship program in Washington, D.C. I am very excited to have the chance to work at FLOC because it will be perfect preparation for the future. I am majoring in Elementary Education, love working with children, and one day want to be a teacher!

On behalf of all of us at FLOC, welcome Ashleigh and Lindsay!

(Kyla Wasserman is the NTP Curriculum Coordinator.)

FLOC says Goodbye to Fall 2011 Intern Ana

For Love of Children’s fall 2011 programs were made possible by the concerted efforts of dedicated volunteers, interns, and staff. As often as possible, we like to acknowledge the work of individuals whose outstanding contributions have made a positive impact on our programs.

One such individual is outgoing intern Ana Turco-Rivas. Ana, a freshperson atAmericanUniversity, interned with FLOC for the 2011 fall semester. As a site coordinator, she facilitated the math tutoring program atRossElementary Schooland the Saturday math tutoring program at FLOC.

A native ofVenezuela, Ana had some initial concerns about the amount of English writing that would be required of her as a Site Coordinator, but she took on assignments without reservation and responded to the demands of the position with great poise. Ana made invaluable contributions not only to our programs but also to the organization by helping with our recruitment initiatives, the student intake process, and occasionally leading parent orientations in Spanish.

Ana’s good attitude, idiosyncratic taste in music, and commitment to our students will be missed, but we wish her the best as she dedicates herself to her studies and finishes her first year of college.

(Joaquin Carbonell is the NTP Program Coordinator.)

Q & A with Summer Intern Karisa Booth

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Karisa Booth was the Lead Site Coordinator for the Summer Reading Program.)

Q: Where are you from?

A: Riverside, California

Q: What did you study in school?

A: I just graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in International Development and Geography.

Q: How did you hear about FLOC?

A: The Office of Community Service at GW. I started tutoring in October of 2010 in reading and math. I tutored at four different school sites. I was then asked to apply to be a Summer VISTA, and then they hired me after an interview.

Q: How do you think being a tutor helped prepare you for the internship?

A: I knew a lot about the organization and had hands-on experience. Through tutoring, you learn a lot.

Q: What is your favorite memory from the summer?

A: Watching relationships between tutors and kids grow, and seeing how much it means to the tutors. As a coordinator, I get to watch it every day.

Q: What attracted you to FLOC?

A: I wanted to work with kids, and I liked FLOC’s mission. A few teachers really helped me through school, so it’s nice to give back in that sense.

Q: What are your plans?

A: I’m looking for a full-time job, and maybe get a masters degree in a few years in international development.

Q & A with Summer Intern Meghan Crawford

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Meghan Crawford was a Site Coordinator for the Math Program.)

Q: Where are you from?

A: Jamestown, Rhode Island

Q: Where do you go to school and what are you studying?

A: Furman University in South Carolina. I’m pursuing an Urban Studies major and an Environmental Science minor.

Q: What were your job duties this summer?

A: I was the math site coordinator. I offered tutor support, looked over lesson plans, and helped tutors and students with anything they were struggling with.

Q: What’s a favorite memory of the FLOC students?

A: One of the kids made up his own Mario Brothers game to math facts. That was pretty cool.

Q: What was something fun you did in DC?

A: I went to see the Rock of Ages musical with my 75-year-old grandmother.

Q & A with Summer Intern Christopher Walker

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Christopher Walker was the Scholars Program intern and a math tutor.)

Q: Where are you from?

A: Pensacola, Florida

Q: Where do you go to school and what are you studying?

A: I go to the University of West Florida and I’m pursuing a dual major in Psychology and Religious Studies.

Q: How did you hear about FLOC?

A: Through the Washington Center. Of all the internships, this sounded like one I would enjoy the most. I have previous experience working with younger kids and my mom was a pre-kindergarten teacher.

Q: What are some of your job duties here?

A: I’m a math tutor and I’ve done some research for the Scholars program. I’ve been looking up scholarships and possible minority student programs at Midwestern colleges.

Q: What have you learned this summer?

A: I learned how to work socially, and how to set up goals. With tutoring, I learned how to motivate my student and keep them interested in what we were doing.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: Model-building, video games and reading classical literature like Mark Twain. I’m also trying to grasp quantum mechanics.

Q: What are your plans after college?

A: I want to work on my masters in psychology, and go for a doctorate in neuropsychology.

Q & A with Summer Intern Michael Buono

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Michael Buono was the Site Coordinator for the Reading Program.)

Q: Where do you go to school?

A: I attend The Heights School in Potomac. I will be a senior next year.

Q: Have you tutored before?

A: I had been a tutor at TAP (Tenley Achievement Program). It was mostly tutoring one-on-one in math and reading to 1st and 2nd graders, but not as structured as FLOC.

Q: What are some challenges you overcame this summer?

A: The hardest part was the week or two before programs started. We were calling people, enrolling, racing against the clock. It was a little more pressure.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from the internship?

A: The OEC trip was fun. I’ve never done team-building before, or kayaking.

Q: What would you like to study in college?

A: I’m leaving everything open, but will probably minor in music. I like to play the piano.

Q & A with Summer Intern Eva Hoffman

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Eva Hoffman is the Lead Site Coordinator for the Math Program this summer.)

Q: Where are you from?

A: Bayside, New York

Q: Where do you go to school?

A: I’m a rising junior at The George Washington University. I study political science with a concentration in public policy.

Q: How did you first become involved in FLOC?

A: I was a tutor in the spring of 2010 and then an intern in September of 2010. This past summer I became an AmeriCorps Summer VISTA.

Q: What is your job description at FLOC?

A: I’m the lead site coordinator for the summer math academy. I help coordinate student-tutor pairs and facilitate the curriculum with the students.

Q: What’s a challenge you’ve overcome this summer?

A: Learning to work with different styles of communication. I’m a direct person, so I try to be efficient but not lengthy.

Q: What are your plans after college?

A: Something in the nonprofit field, education policy or advocacy. I want to make a difference in the community person-to-person.

Q: What was something fun you did in DC this summer?

A: The Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Q & A with Summer Intern Kara Jerez

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Kara Jerez works in the recruitment and outreach department and is a reading tutor this summer.)

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’m from Nutley, New Jersey.

Q: Where do you go to school and what do you major in?

A: I go to Susquehanna University. I’m entering my senior year and double majoring in public relations and studio art, with a minor in advertising.

Q: How did you hear about FLOC?

A: I heard about it through the Lutheran College Washington Semester.

Q: What do you do as the Recruitment and Outreach Intern?

A: My biggest project is coming up with a business outreach program and doing research.

Q: What have you learned here and what were some challenges you faced?

A: I think the biggest challenge has been tutoring. It has really helped my people skills. I’ve also improved my writing and communication skills here.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working here?

A: The people.

Q: What are your plans after college?

A: I’m thinking about grad schools, but I’m not sure about that yet. I’d like to continue working in a communications department at a nonprofit. I would also like to test the waters of other departments that my college major parallels with.

Q & A with Summer Intern Iris Park

(We are recognizing FLOC’s interns this summer by publishing blog posts about their experiences. Na Hyeun (Iris) Park works in the development department.)

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’m from South Korea. I got my masters degree from Oklahoma City University in Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL).

Q: How did you hear about FLOC?

A: I was looking at internship placements at the Washington Center and applied for an educational nonprofit. They introduced me to FLOC.

Q: What does your internship involve?

A: I’m working in the development department, doing research on fundraising opportunities and corporate partnerships.

Q: What do you like the most about FLOC and living in DC so far?

A: I really like my experience. I’ve learned a lot about company culture and Washington culture. The other thing I really like is my job duty. [Development] is important to non-profit organizations supporting the education system. FLOC is a small organization but very organized. I was very impressed. Everyone here is eager and passionate to work. They enjoy it here.

Q: What are your plans after this summer?

A: I am planning to go back to Korea and look for a job related to non-profit organizations similar to FLOC.