A Federal and State of California Nonprofit Corporation
Cleophas "Mike" McAlpin...Executive Director/Chief Tutor
February 9, 2006 Next page Previous Page Home
Page 21: Black History Month ...... And Still I Rise! Click on this Internet Resources Icon for Homework Assistance. Below: New students! Our number stands at 14 on this Thursday afternoon from 3:30PM until 8:30PM! (Tuesday, February 14, 2006, we will focus on Black History. Students will spend a few minutes reading about great Afro-American leaders, and then they will give oral reports on what they read, impromptu and spontaneous!)
Javell (14) and Isaac (23): new students. Javell needed assistance in Algebra One, while Isaac needs a career change.
Students present: Brianna, Javell, Shalay, Jarrell, Chelsea, Loren, Aaron, Steven, Jasmine, Vivian, "Mr. O" (nickname), Daniel, Isaac, Jamise: Missing...Ke' Ontra
Two new concepts were put into place. The first occurred on Wednesday, February 8th. It saw me at the home of my student, Ke' Ontra of Carson. It saw me with dry erase board, dry erase pens, a Geometry Two school book, geometrical tools and a will to do one-on-one tutoring at a "home location". I have added Wednesday afternoons (6:00PM - 8:00PM) to my hectic schedule: a Wednesday schedule that saw Aaron (16) and me at 9106 S. Western at the Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center (another nonprofit corporation, 3:30PM-5:45PM), to teach the young students a bit of mathematics. Home visitation will occur when it is deemed that the student is in serious need of one-on-one tutoring. Of course, this is done, as all else, for free! We will not allow our students to fail. We will require them to make "A" grades and replace all semblances of failure...from the face of the earth! Ke' Ontra was elated to have me at her residence. She and her mother were ecstatic! We reviewed her homework and we outlined our plans for making an "A" grade. Follow Ke' Ontra's progress on this site as she makes her way up the G.P.A. ladder!
The other concept involves a form of bribery! I thought about it as Aaron and I made our way back to Carson after tutoring at the Al Wooten Center. Aaron should be compensated for the good job that he did with teaching fractions to the students there! And so, Aaron will receive $4.00 per tutoring week! There are guidelines to be followed, though. Aaron must do an "Algebra Course Outline" for me. It must contain each and every facet of his Algebra One work at Gardena High School. It must be complete with assignments, page numbers of current studies, exercises, examinations given, and all that a teacher would know to teach an Algebra One class. Indeed, this outline will be used by Aaron to teach summer school at this location! I will monitor his every move to make sure his messages are clear. Aaron began his work assignment on Thursday afternoon, and I am proud of the booklet that he has started. In addition, he will supply me with a CD disk that is used in his class. He said that 50% of his grade would be based upon work done on the CD, and so I must see the CD. Another thing, Aaron must make a "B" or better to maintain his job status....as so must Jasmine (15) of Algebra One at King Drew Magnet School, and so must Steven (14) of Carson High's Biology class. Each must make a "B" or better to maintain their future Tutoring jobs! And so, let us hope this form of "bribery" produces 3 "A" students! We will see....$12 per week is such a small price to pay! In order to teach a subject, you really must know the subject!
Jasmine immediately went to work on her homework. She spent her "One hour" teaching Vivian: After she had begun her booklet on Algebra One: Just like Aaron. She also worked very hard with Vivian.
Chelsea, along with all of the other students, seemed on a "high" as they did their homework! I was indeed very proud of the group that seemed destined to make a positive impact on education. I moved to interview Isaac and Javell. Isaac came to visit with Jamise (23), and he was mesmerized by all of the activity. I told him that I would be willing to teach him electrical theory, and that after several months, assist him with employment with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. After all, I was the Supervising Senior Electrical Tester who trained all of the present Senior Electrical Metering Supervisors! Isaac will attend our session on Thursday afternoons, and I will tutor Jarrell, Steven and Aaron along those same lines!
I assisted Javell with his Geometry One. It involved the measurements of angles within polygons. Along comes Aaron and Steven to assist me! It was a miraculous sight to see the three young men putting their heads together to solve problems.
And then, we had a party! The occasion was Cleasena's 20th birthday.....the only thing missing was Cleasena!, who perhaps went to the movies to celebrate. Never mind, though, we had hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, soda, candy, soda and a whole lot more! I was time to "let it all hang out"! All of the "goodies" were supplied for free! What a wonderful time all of the students had....after homework had been completed. We planned our next field trip to the LaBrea Tar Pits and Imax Theater. We talked about our intense level of tutoring...we ate...we ate...and we ate. It was a glorious affair, Cleasena, although you were at City Walk taking in a movie with Sheena (now singing at B.B. King's Restaurant)! Happy 20th!
All of the students are invited to attend the Baptism of our very own Shalay (14) at New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church ( www.nuphilly.com ) in Rancho Dominguez on the 3rd Sunday of February. Shalay will now join Steven, Ke' Ontra, Jarrell, Cole, Brittany, Tracy, Volunteer Tutor, (Marci Williams, Schoolteacher), Keyotta, and a lot of other students who have been a part, or are still a part of this wonderful and miraculous Organization.
Thank you, God, for ordering each and every one of my steps! Thank you for allowing Shalay, as well as many others, to know you through Your Organization.... A Free Tutoring Service: Preparing for the Future"
Cleophas Mike McAlpin.....Executive Director/Chief Tutor/Webmaster/ Usher/Eliminator of all "F" grades!
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