I was recently contacted by a former student who was mentioning how much he enjoyed my class, especially the opportunity to tutor elementary students.  I am so proud of SWA’s involvement in the Teen Trendsetters program — this is our fifth (or sixth?) year! — and how it’s helped so many young students become better readers and lovers of books.  More importantly, I love how the program gives our students an opportunity to mentor and tutor young children who enjoy the one-on-one attention.

I’ve witnessed shy, reluctant, and even unwilling teens become the best mentors to our young friends.  They learn how to be encouraging to students who aren’t confident in their reading ability.  They learn patience and show kindness when third-graders’ stories about pets or Pokemon become a little longwinded.  They begin to understand the positive impact they can have on others and their priorities begin to shift just a little:  the inwardly-focused, disengaged teen slowly becomes a positive force in our community who looks for ways to make the world a better place.

As I was talking to that former student, I mentioned that we were getting ready to tutor and I hoped my current students would enjoy it as much as he did.  He said, “If they have a good heart, they will.”  They do.  They will.