Q. How long have you been a teacher in the Shawnee Heights school district?  What grade do you teach?

A. This is my twelfth year at Berryton and I spent eight years as a 501-der. I have always taught 5th here, but in 501 I taught 1st and 2nd. I also used to coordinate the ESL (English as a Second Language) program for K-12.

Q. How did you hear about the Oveson-Campbell Homework Center?  Why did you chose it as the site for the tutoring project you were involved with at your school?

A. Susan Marchant hooked me up with LeAnn Sevy [Youth Services Supervisor] and the rest is history.

Q. I understand that you have been tutoring students during the summer in your school district at the library’s Oveson-Campbell Homework Center. Could you tell me how you got involved with doing this? How long have you done this?

A. This was my second summer tutoring at this location.  I have tutored students for years, but after we moved back to the city three years ago I wanted a location that was closer for me. The library was suggested during a planning meeting, and it has everything that I needed to get started.

Q. Please comment on the resources, learning environment, and other factors associated with the library’s Oveson-Campbell Homework Center. What elements of the Homework Center are especially helpful to you?  Do you have any suggestions for future improvements?

A. It has a wide variety of leveled materials for the students, a children’s summer art exhibition, multiple opportunities for music and movement, computers, outstanding staff to assist me and - for the kids - a comfortable learning center, an aquarium, and the obviously well-equipped facility complete with great security - all this and air conditioning, too!

Q. What was the result from your tutoring experience with students? Did you notice if the students became more familiar with the library’s resources as a result of the tutoring project?

A. The experience was fantastic! The first thing we did is get each child a library card. They were encouraged to re-read all books that we shared as well as check-out additional titles to read between sessions. They especially enjoyed taking their returns to the “book-eater” [library’s book return system]. We loved it when the automated voice thanked us for using TSCPL. You should have seen their faces when that happened.

Q. How did students who participated become aware of the tutoring project? How many students did you tutor and how often? What subjects did you tutor with the students?

A. This is a Shawnee Heights program for at-risk kids.  Last year I tutored six kids and this year, eight kids. I saw many other tutors there who worked with smaller numbers. I saw students for anywhere from 3 to 5 hours and once to three times a week, depending on the schedule. Towards the middle of tutoring, the families had vacations and activities that had to be juggled.

Q. Do you plan to continue this tutoring project at the library in the future?

A. Absolutely! I love the experience and the staff makes me feel very comfortable. They are tops!

Q. Any other comments you would like to make?

A. I love the facility and the people make it a pure pleasure. Some of these kids have only experienced the school library, and although it is wonderful, this is so much bigger it makes them feel very important to be able to have access to all the facilities from books, tapes, CDs, music and craft experiences, magic, jugglers, comic books, a place to take a break by the saltwater aquarium, an art exhibition, the Topeka Room, etc. I couldn’t ask for a better place.

The Oveson-Campbell Homework Center - far more than merely a place to gather helpful academic resources

The Homework Center is a place where students have the opportunity to interact with caring adult role models and with each other, sharing information and experiences to promote their healthy growth and development.

With their improved academic performance, greater awareness of library resources, and possessing enhanced social interaction skills, students who attend the homework center are preparing themselves for a better future.

If you would like to invest in the future of local children, contact The Library Foundation to make a gift. Call (785) 580-4498.