Negative Numbers, Positive Impact - Brian Donovan

This quick little anecdote is something that recently happened to me that made me realize the immediate impact that volunteering has on the kids at my site. It started with me walking into the library where we do homework tutoring and one of the teachers who I have been working with over the past four years was relieved that I was there to explain addition of negative numbers to one of the students there. I took some time and went over a useful and simple way of thinking about those types of problems with the student until I was beckoned to help another tutor explain a word problem to another child. When I came back I realized that not only had that first student finished her negative number addition section, but she was explaining the method that I had just taught her to one of her classmates! It was truly fulfilling see both the help I had provided that child, but through clear explanation, the help that she was able to then give her peers. It is times like those that make all of my hard work more than worth it and make me love what I do.

Welcome to REACH - Beverly J. Martin Elementary

Team Leaders: Mark Wulfe (mrw48@cornell.edu) and Susan Duan (zd32@cornell.edu)
Site Supervisors: Marie Vitucci and Katie Dietrich

Beverly J. Martin Enrichment Program Incorporated Academic Plus Program The Extended Day Program offers a variety of educational, cultural, and enrichment opportunities. The program runs from Monday through Thursday, 1:50-5:00 p.m.

Tutors work with children in kindergarten to fifth grade. Tutors help students with homework and academic enrichment, and help coordinate various activities ranging from cooking to arts and crafts. On Fridays, special field trips (such as to the Tompkins County Library or The Museum of the Earth) are scheduled.

Beverly J. Martin Elementary School is located in downtown Ithaca, just a short walk from the Ithaca Commons, at 302 West Buffalo St., Ithaca.

Check out the website: http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/bjm/