“ This creative idea is only one of many for Deven ”
America Learns, LLC Recognizes Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Sophomore For His Success in Quickly Assessing His Students' Needs
Indianapolis, IN (
PRWEB) February 13, 2007 -- America Learns announced today that a tutoring strategy created by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis sophomore Deven Kaufman has been named February's America Learns National Strategy of the Month. Deven's strategy was selected out of hundreds to be distributed for free by America Learns, LLC to thousands of individuals worldwide -- teachers, teacher preparation students, tutors, mentors and parents.
Deven, an Indianapolis native and Architecture Technology major, began tutoring with the IUPUI America Counts program last fall. His love of mathematics led him to join the program. At age 20, he has already designed a number of houses and buildings that have been built around the Indianapolis area.
Deven's Strategy
A common challenge faced by volunteer tutors nationwide is that they sometimes simply do not know where to begin with their students. Their students know they need help, but sometimes have a difficult time explaining to their tutors what it is they need help with. With always-busy teachers and after school program supervisors not always being accessible on-demand, volunteer educators and their students are often left to figure out what needs to be done on their own.
When Deven found that his students were having a difficult time describing the precise problems they struggled with, he created a way for his students to record their problems as they encountered them during class time and while doing homework without him. This simple solution allows Deven's students to write down questions they have in a specially-formatted table. This simple task allows Deven's tutoring sessions to be much more meaningful, productive and worthwhile for all.
"This creative idea is only one of many for Deven," said Morgan Hughes, Deven's supervisor at IUPUI. "For a Family Parent Night at his site, George Washington Community School, Deven created a beanbag toss math game similar to tic-tac-toe, but involving math equations. Deven's creativity and willingness to go beyond his job description as a coach have led to his being recommended to serve the program as a Team Leader next year. Deven is very much a valuable asset to the IUPUI America Counts program."
"We're so excited to share Deven's ingenuity with all of the organizations and individuals receiving our e-newsletter today," said Gary Kosman, Founder and CEO, America Learns. "The seemingly simple tracking form that Deven created is about to bring an extra dose of meaning to tutoring and mentoring sessions nationwide by helping students and their learning partners focus on those specific core issues with which students need assistance."
Deven's strategy may be accessed throughout February at
http://americalearns.net/strategy.htm, and will be permanently available to all America Learns Network members.
About IUPUI's America Counts Program
Housed in IUPUI's Center for Service & Learning, The America Reads and America Counts Programs serve young people in nearby urban communities by providing one-on-one reading or math coaching to help students improve their skills in these areas. Each Reads and Counts coach is responsible for providing weekly in-person tutoring assistance to students from Kindergarten to Ninth grade. As an educational tutor and a role model to children, each coach strives to consistently demonstrate IUPUI's commitment to civic engagement. Learn more at
http://csl.iupui.edu/cws/america/index.html.
About America Learns, LLC (America Learns):
America Learns is a national education firm reaching more than 10,000 students nationwide. Most of its work involves helping organizations track, evaluate and provide ongoing training and support to teachers, teaching education students, professional tutors, and to volunteer tutors and mentors. Organizations the company serves include universities (e.g., Dwight Hall at Yale, Duke, UC Berkeley, Georgetown and the University of Michigan), community-based nonprofit organizations (e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates and the YMCA of Greater St. Louis), and school districts (e.g., the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the Minneapolis Public Schools). The company was seed funded by Echoing Green, the leading global social venture firm. Learn more at
http://www.americalearns.net or by calling 310-689-0542.
