Tutoring Program Helps Local Families Succeed

Gloria-Dei-Tutoring-1There are over 83,000 Hispanic people living in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties. For many of these families, Spanish is their first language. This puts the Spanish speaking students at a great disadvantage in their English-speaking classrooms. The Gloria Dei tutoring program is working to change this.

"Many Spanish speaking students have difficulty completing homework assignments, studying, and practicing reading," said Jessica Burkman, certified teacher and Director of the Gloria Dei tutoring program. "The students often struggle academically. Our goal is to equip the children with the tools necessary to succeed."

Spanish speaking children in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to participate in this free program. Besides tutoring and mentoring, translators are also available to assist the parents with communicating with the teachers or even attending school meetings. To help the parents succeed, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are also offered for free during the children's tutoring sessions.

Most parents do not have transportation available so, Gloria Dei offers complimentary transportation to and from the tutoring sessions.

This program has seen a 50% growth in just the last year. All the tutors are volunteers and are made up of area adults and Valparaiso University students.

Gloria-Dei-Tutoring-2According to Burkman, some of the past tutoring students are now attending Valparaiso University and acting as volunteer tutors for the current students."They are living proof that a good education opens doors for our students."

The students and tutors of the Gloria Dei tutoring program meet at Heritage Lutheran Church on Tuesdays evenings from 5:30-7:00.

For more information about becoming a volunteer tutor or offering a monetary donation to help support the Gloria Dei tutoring program, please contact Jessica Burkman at 531-2255 or livingisloving@hotmail.com.

Photos:

  • Volunteer tutors and their students gather together during a Gloria Dei tutoring session.
  • Volunteer tutor Dave Pilz (right) and student Brandon Escot (left) work on homework together at the Gloria Dei tutoring program.