After School Tutoring Workshop

Teachers at the Whiteboard

An important outreach ministry of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) has been its After School Tutoring program (AST) for New American children. During the 2015-16 academic year approximately 120 students from nine birth nations were served through this outreach effort.

This was possible only because of the committed and skillful pool of volunteer tutors who willingly gave their time and shared their resources to serve as tutors at the Peace Center on South Grand Blvd. Continuing in this commitment of service 20 volunteers, primarily from local LCMS congregations, recently came together for a Tutoring Workshop.  The event featured better reading skills for New American children, especially for those who truly struggle with this.

Mrs. Linda Munsell, recently retired Oasis Coordinator for the St Louis public school, and Mrs. Kate Wayne, a recently retired public school principal presented their specially designed tutoring packets. These 25 zip lock bags provide a complete lesson plan and activities that the tutor can practice at home and then bring back to share with small groups of children. Educationally sound strategies were conveyed to make our precious tutoring time a more focused and insightful exercise. Special thanks also to Mrs. Linda Whitley from Concordia Kirkwood for helping with the preparation of these zip lock bags.

Workshop Participants

As always, the tutors were motivated to not only stimulate better learning, but to also mentor the student in faith conversations with the focus on a promising vision for the future. Importantly, the workshop also served as an opportunity to meet, mingle and experience fellowship over a Potluck dinner.

The side conversations provided opportunities for all to share previous tutoring experiences – from the Peace center and elsewhere. So, inspired with Christ-centered love, these volunteer tutors prepared for the start of the new academic year which will begin on September 6. CFNA greatly values and appreciates the commitment to Christian service displayed by our volunteers, and prayerfully hopes many others will be led to join in sharing their God given talents with the New American students who have become part of the CFNA After School Tutoring Program.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church