Tutor’s Success Surprises Elementary Teacher – Podcast Episode 145

Classnotes Podcast (September 29, 2014) Karen Leahy knew that having a Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program tutor work with students in her elementary classroom would help the tutors strengthen self-esteem. And she welcomed that opportunity. But she was surprised to see how they genuinely helped her first grade tutees get up to grade level in reading. Ms. Leahy is first grade teacher at the NOW Academy in the Los Angeles Unified School District and describes how she selected the students the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program tutors would be assigned to and how the tutors were embraced by not just her two charges, but by the whole class.

The IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program is a research-based, internationally-recognized dropout prevention program that has kept 98 percent of its tutors in school. It works by identifying junior high and high school students who are in at-risk situations and enlisting them as tutors for elementary school youngsters who are also struggling in school. Valued Youth tutors learn self-discipline and develop self-esteem; schools shift to the philosophy and practices of valuing students considered at-risk. Results show that tutors stay in school, have increased academic performance, improved school attendance and advanced to higher education. Ms. Leahy is interviewed by Dr. Sulema Carreón-Sánchez, a senior education associate.

Show length: 17:17

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Resources

Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program

http://www.idra.org/coca-cola-valued-youth-program/

Video: Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program Tutors at the NOW Academy in the Los Angeles Unified School District

http://vimeo.com/96849064

Continuities – Lessons for the Future of Education from the IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program

http://www.idra.org/coca-cola-valued-youth-program/Continuities/

Video: Elementary teacher describes why she likes having a Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program tutor in her classroom. [00:32]

http://view.vzaar.com/1283147/player

Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program Student Essays

http://www.idra.org/coca-cola-valued-youth-program/student-essays/

Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program – Strengthening Student Connections with School

by Linda Cantú, Ph.D., IDRA Newsletter

http://www.idra.org/resource-center/coca-cola-valued-youth-program-strengthening-student-connections-with-school/

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