MUSCATINE, Iowa — When Bob Giddings answered a request to tutor Muscatine High School students, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

Since then, he’s been learning a few things himself.

After helping one young man search for the answers to a history assignment, Giddings said hearing the student say he was actually beginning to like history was a meaningful breakthrough.

“That made me feel really good,” said Giddings, 76.

Giddings had also been concerned about the age gap between him and the students. However, “I found that acceptance was not a problem,” he said.

Giddings said Kathy Brooker, director of Muscatine Connected, a non-profit educational foundation, invited him to tutor in the new MHS component recovery program.

Brooker said the program helped 20 students catch up on their credits this semester.

“Those students will never say, ‘I’m a high school dropout,’” said Brooker. “And this isn’t just about grades, it’s about having the confidence to know you can succeed. And success breeds success.”

That works with the tutors, too.

Brooker said their enthusiasm inspires other adults to become volunteers.

The component recovery program was developed by Brooker, MHS principal Bob Weaton, MHS associate principal Diane Campbell and Keith Pogemiller, department leader of student services.

Brooker described the  program to the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2008 Leadership Muscatine program and it was met with enthusiasm. A committee of individuals within Leader-ship Muscatine  formed and developed a  plan to recruit volunteers for the program.

Four members of that committee became tutors themselves, including   Veronica Martinez, 24, office administrator for the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and her fellow committee member, Teresa Caslavka of HNI Corp.

Tutoring fits in with Martinez’s goal to become an elementary school teacher.

Caslavka, 46, said the program gives her an opportunity to be part of her son’s life. He’s a sophomore at MHS.

Campbell is the point of contact for the program and MHS science teacher Ryan Castle makes sure the school work is transferred between students and teachers.

The program began with the 2008-09 spring semester and Brooker said it’s been a surprising success.

In the past, an average of only three adult tutors came to MHS to work with students. This semester, 27 people signed up and 20 have come regularly said Brooker.

Brooker said she and Campbell met with the tutors as the semester began and conducted a training session which included tips and information about tutoring.

The tutors were recognized at the MHS annual Hall of Honor ceremony in late April and received plaques, thanking them for their dedication.

The students also sent thank you notes to be pinned on a message board at a reception for the tutors.

Messages included such sentiments as,  “I couldn’t have passed algebra without you,” and “Thanks for being there for me.”

Campbell said the students and tutors make real connections.

“I have one student who comes in and asks me, ‘Is my volunteer coming?’” said Campbell. “That speaks volumes for the level of commitment and the students they reach.”

Details

How to help

To become a volunteer tutor with the Muscatine High School component recovery program apply online at http://muscatineconnected.org/

Leadership Muscatine’s tutor recruitment team

Veronica Martinez, Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Teresa Caslavka, HNI Corp.; Bonnie Nichols, First National Bank; Mark Costello, Muscatine Power and Water, and Jason Koch, Mandy Williams and Katie Schroeder, all of Kent Feeds.