Nevada State students tutor low-income students

By Dave Clark

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 | 4:06 p.m.

As the sun sets in the Sherman Gardens public housing area, elementary students eagerly gravitate toward one building, where, upon entering, they open books and set about completing their homework.

Although the windows are encased by metal shades, the atmosphere inside is light as these Las Vegas students are tutored by Nevada State College education majors. On one side of the room, third grader Muya Mberwa sheepishly smiles after Zack Peters explains a cringe-worthy quip in a book of dinosaur jokes.

Closer to the former home's kitchen, first grader Ja'kiya Smith and Eryn Forrest are making ample use of their fingers as they review addition tables.

"I always had a heart for kids," Forrest, a junior, said. "People are not giving kids a chance anymore. I want to let them know somebody is out there for them."

Nevada State started its tutoring program here last summer with a grant from the Las Vegas Housing Authority following the 2007 opening of another center at the Ernie Cragin development. Forrest and Peters arrive twice a week to tutor 10 elementary children. Center Supervisor Heidi Carr advertised the program by going door-to-door, passing out fliers and hosting a neighborhood barbecue.

However, recruiting Peters and Forrest did not take much cajoling.

When Carr told Peters it was a lower-income neighborhood far from Nevada State, he jumped at the opportunity.

"I said, 'I'll definitely do it,'" he said. "No one else will want to do it."

Forrest was initially surprised by the program's structure. She said she quickly learned not just to help students with homework. Students are regularly assessed, and she and Peters are expected to produce well-defined lesson plans.

"That way they're more prepared for the classroom environment," Carr said.

But they were not as prepared for the bonds they've developed with the children. Most difficult for Forrest has been hearing the children's stories. When they were asked to write what they wanted for the holidays, one girl requested a pillow. Sometimes, she said, the snacks given at the center double as the children's dinner.

"The most difficult thing sometimes is having to say 'no' or hold back," Peters said. "It's hard when you leave to really leave."

Already, the children are progressing, and not just academically.

When students first started coming, Peters said, they were largely uncontrolled. They did not raise their hands before speaking.

"Now they walk in and they start doing their homework," Peters said. "When they brought us their report cards, they were really proud of their grades."

Forrest has seen a marked change as well.

"They're more respectful of the classroom environment. Just taking the time to be with them improves their attitude a lot," Forrest said. "You can tell the kids care and really appreciate what you're doing."

In fact, the children often ask them to come more than twice a week.

Mula alternately called the sessions nice, wonderful and amazing.

"I learn English," he said. "I learn how to read. I do my work. I get help when I need help."

And his favorite part of the class?

"When I see the teachers," he said.

For her part, Smith called the teachers "nice and pretty." She was partial to books on bears, including the teddy variety.

"I like having fun," she said. "I get to read a lot of books. I like reading. Yay!"

The tutors are equally fond of their time spent together with the students.

"The kids make my day so much better," Forrest said. "Their life doesn't bother them. I wish I could go back to that."

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].