Student of the Month:

Lael Lee

This month’s Student of the Month is Lael Lee.  Lael is a tutor with Crossing Bridges’ Homework Helpers.  She goes to Blatchley Middle School Mondays through Thursday to help sixth, seventh, and eighth graders with their schoolwork as well as play games with them.  Lael is a veteran of the program and has a perfect attendance record so far this year. 

Here is what Lael had to say about her time with Homework Helpers and a little bit more about herself.

About my experience with Homework Helpers…

I have been a Crossing Bridges tutor for one and half years already and am in the program again this year because I enjoy helping junior high students with their school/homework.  Another reason that I came back was to earn work experience time and to earn some extra money.  The money I earn is going towards the college I will be attending beginning in the Fall of 2008.  I like tutoring at BMS because it is more of a comfortable and relaxed environment.  I leave the high school when school gets out so I arrive a little after Homework Helpers starts each day and when I come in there are already people talking and getting to work so it is easy to see who needs help and who doesn’t.  When I first started, the program was run by a different person and when I walked into the club it was dead quiet – nobody was suppose to talk or make any noise unless they needed help – it was kind of awkward.  But not it is really nice and when students need help they aren’t afraid to ask and are really open.

A few things about myself…

In my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking, camping, puzzles, reading, playing on the computer, X-box, listening to music, hanging out with my friends, swimming, and going for walks.  I am a senior in high school and plan to go to college in Alaska or Washington majoring in Environmental Science and perhaps get a  minor in Accounting.  While I’m in college I plan to either find a job or volunteer at an elementary school or junior high to continue to help students learning

Assistance offered to K through 8th graders.

The Crossing Bridges tutoring program hires and trains qualified high school students from Mt. Edgecumbe High School, Sitka High School, and Pacific High School to work after school with students in Ventures, Keet Gooshi Heen, and Blatchley Middle School. They help younger students with their homework, practice reading, writing, spelling, and math skills.

Our high school tutors meet weekly for activities and games and periodically for wilderness retreats that promote communication skills, trust, leadership development, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. 

Students enrolled in the Ventures Program are given one-on-one attention by high school tutors from all three high schools in addition to programs regular activities.  The tutors help the students with homework as well as play games designed to boost the students’ academic and social skills.  The program meets in Room 17 of Baranoff Elementary School, Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 4:00.   

Advisor: Faith Lee, Supervisor: Livvy King

Students are referred by their teacher or parents to get help keeping up with assignments, or with skill building.Students attend Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:00. They meet in the SNEP room at Keet Gooshi Heen or for students enrolled in the Ventures Program in room 17 at Baranof School. A snack is served before tutoring begins. Bus transportation home is provided. Our elementary tutees receive one-on-one help from older students in a mentoring relationship that can feel like having big brothers and sisters. We hope that some of our tutors will choose to advance through college and become teachers, and we trust that the statewide connections they make with each other will last into adulthood.

Advisor: Faith Lee, Supervisors: Shelly Dunn and Stacie Bolan.

It offers assistance with homework for students who have been referred by their teachers or parents. The clubs tries to make learning fun by intoducing games to the those who attend. Students attend Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 5:00.  A snack is provided before tutoring begins, and a bus arrives at 5:00 to take students home.

Advisor: Faith Lee, Supervisor: Matt Walsh.