I’m not sure I really knew what I was getting into when I signed up to help with Whiz Kids. I knew it was a tutoring program and that I would be working with a student each week. I’m not a teacher, so I was slightly concerned that I wouldn’t be qualified. I was assured that being a teacher was not a requirement.
The day I got to meet my Whiz Kid was an exciting one! My little B is a highly energetic little 1st grader with the biggest heart. When I walk into the CUBE each Tuesday afternoon, she comes running! I am greeted with the biggest hug and a sweet little “I am so glad you are here, Ms. Jarla. I love you”. Every single week! (If I’m ever a few minutes late, she lets me know that, too!)
We get to have activity time and then a snack supper together. We talk about how her school day was, who her friends are and how her week is going. While the main goal for Whiz Kids is helping kids become better readers, another big part is building relationships. Getting to know about their family and friends is an important part of that.
During snack time is also when we honor a Star of the Week. Mr. Luke reads a special note from the tutor and the kids all try to guess who the student is. Being the Star of the Week is a special honor. It’s a big deal!
The kids then go to a Bible Story time which is brilliantly led by Sarah Hagar or Makenzie Magnus. How they get 25 kids to sit and listen AND learn Scripture is pretty amazing. The kids love it! They are learning to hide God’s Word in their hearts. We get to tell these public school kids about Jesus and that is awesome!
We spend about 30 minutes reading books together that are level appropriate for her. All of the supplies and books are there for our use. Some days B is focused and ready to read. Other days, she would rather take turns reading the book. Sitting and reading, after a long day of trying to sit still, is sometimes hard. Because building a relationship is part of the program, we can be flexible with how we read on those days.
We end our day with a few minutes of game time. B’s favorite is Word Bingo. She is still learning words and getting better at sight words while we play. The kids all love game time. I’m not exactly sure if they know we are still learning.
One unique thing about Whiz Kids is that the tutors take the children home from the CUBE. The church van picks them up at school and the tutors take them home. We get to laugh and sing and talk on the way home. I’ve also gotten to meet little B’s Momma and her little sister. This really allows us to continue relationship building with the whole family.
It’s hard to believe that WK is coming to a close for this year. B has made a lot of progress in reading. The reality is, I’ve probably learned more from Little B than she has learned from me. Isn’t it interesting how God does that?
If you are interested in helping with Whiz Kids next year, please contact Makenzie Magnus or Luke McConnell. I’m looking forward to being there again with my sweet little B.
Meet the author!
Jarla Miles is wife to Marshall, mom to three sons and three daughter-in-loves, and is Nana to Annalee and John Landon. Jarla graduated from OBU with a degree in Social Work and then worked in foster care and adoption services. She has become quite the world traveler in the past few years, doing her best to keep up with Marshall! But... her favorite place is home!