From NDAA Ally, Terri Brumleve:
“But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in
this act of grace also.”- 2 Corinthians 8:7
When one excels in everything they do, they are likely to be successful. But what does it mean to be successful? There can be a multitude of answers to that question. The dictionary describes success as: “attaining wealth, prosperity and/or fame”. To others, it may simply mean to set and achieve a goal.
In education, goal setting is used to reach academic success. A group of individuals, who are part of the Notre Dame ACE Academy ALLIES, volunteered to be tutors at Holy Angels this past school year. The tutors are partners with the teachers to help scholars excel as they work towards academic success.
Most of the tutoring occurs in grades K through 3. Some tutors focus on the foundations of learning including letter sounds, memory skills and forming simple words. Other tutors read to scholars and work on reading comprehension and more abstract concepts from a story. Additionally, some tutors have worked with scholars on math concepts.
The beauty of the tutoring program is that each teacher determines what area a scholar needs assistance and provides the ‘tools’ for the tutor. The tutor does not need to prepare activities before meeting with the scholar. This also gives the teacher flexibility to send different scholars with the tutor each week so more scholars can receive additional support. All these sessions support the goal of striving for excellence.
I have found every scholar, teacher, administrator at Holy Angels to be extremely kind, welcoming, and in pursuit of excellence daily. Smiles greet me when I enter, and the loving support seen and heard throughout the building is key to helping these scholars achieve success. In my tutoring sessions, I’m impressed with the camaraderie and encouragement between the scholars, even when playing a game that might invite competition. If one notices another struggling, he/she is quick to jump in to help! I am witnessing firsthand the true meaning behind “excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge and in love” that is asked of us in 2 Corinthians whenever I tutor at Holy Angels School!
Unfortunately, with COVID-19, tutors are not allowed in the school, but we remain at the ready for the time when tutoring will be allowed to resume.
If you were to ask families with children attending the Notre Dame ACE Academies what it means for their children to excel, I believe the answer would include part of the schools’ mission statement: “At the Notre Dame ACE Academies, our goals are COLLEGE and HEAVEN.” Our administrators, teachers, staff, parents, donors and even the tutors are all working together to help the scholars strive for excellence and to reach college and heaven! What could be more beautiful and earnest than that?