Literacy Center improving educational excellence in community
Patrick Riley
Issue date: 1/26/10 Section: Arts & Life
You can read, but would you be willing to help someone that is unable to read this article? Help is just around the corner.
The Augusta State Literacy Center aims to bolster the education of the surrounding community's students of all ages. It offers tutoring from reading through all subject areas, including GED tutorials.
The Literacy Center was formed in 1990 under the administration of Dr. Richard Wallace, the president of the university at that time, and conceived of by Dr. Paulette Harris. It is conveniently located at 1401 Magnolia Drive, directly behind Newman Tennis Center.
The goal is improving opportunities for adults, youth, and children to thrive in a progressively literate world. Free tutoring of elementary through high school students, and even adults, takes place four days each week. Fall and Spring semester sessions run from 4:00-8:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. During the Summer semester, the center is open 3:00-8:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
The tutors are primarily ASU students who come not only from the Education Department, but from all majors. The Literacy Center is always in need of volunteers, and students can sign up for course credit.
Retired high school teacher, Mr. Herald Benge, the afternoon supervisor of 12 years, and Dr. Tony Redd, retired college professor, arrange sessions with clients and tutors and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
The majority of the clients are elementary age students but they service students of all ages. According to Mr. Benge, there are currently 163 students signed up to be tutored. The number can vary year to year and there can be as many as 250 students enrolled for help.
"I believe the center is successful because of the relaxed atmosphere and non-evasive environment. The kids enjoy it and many come back year after year," Benge says.
Janae Green, a 6th grader from Morgan Road Middle School, comes to the center every Monday and Thursday to receive help with her homework. "I like coming here; they teach me things I don't know. People are friendly, and you can get on the computers and get homework help."
The Augusta State Literacy Center aims to bolster the education of the surrounding community's students of all ages. It offers tutoring from reading through all subject areas, including GED tutorials.
The Literacy Center was formed in 1990 under the administration of Dr. Richard Wallace, the president of the university at that time, and conceived of by Dr. Paulette Harris. It is conveniently located at 1401 Magnolia Drive, directly behind Newman Tennis Center.
The goal is improving opportunities for adults, youth, and children to thrive in a progressively literate world. Free tutoring of elementary through high school students, and even adults, takes place four days each week. Fall and Spring semester sessions run from 4:00-8:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. During the Summer semester, the center is open 3:00-8:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
The tutors are primarily ASU students who come not only from the Education Department, but from all majors. The Literacy Center is always in need of volunteers, and students can sign up for course credit.
Retired high school teacher, Mr. Herald Benge, the afternoon supervisor of 12 years, and Dr. Tony Redd, retired college professor, arrange sessions with clients and tutors and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
The majority of the clients are elementary age students but they service students of all ages. According to Mr. Benge, there are currently 163 students signed up to be tutored. The number can vary year to year and there can be as many as 250 students enrolled for help.
"I believe the center is successful because of the relaxed atmosphere and non-evasive environment. The kids enjoy it and many come back year after year," Benge says.
Janae Green, a 6th grader from Morgan Road Middle School, comes to the center every Monday and Thursday to receive help with her homework. "I like coming here; they teach me things I don't know. People are friendly, and you can get on the computers and get homework help."