Garrison Middle School tutor professional development is currently utilizing the 7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It! by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins.  The book targets parents and teachers and provides a better understanding of the process children go through as they are learning to read and comprehend what they are learning.  Marit Nierman, Garrison’s Instructional Coach, shares, “the keys to comprehension offers students truly helpful tools that support deep comprehension.  By teaching and encouraging students to use these strategies, we are helping to build the students’ tool boxes for dealing with difficult text and raise their awareness of when they do and don’t understand something."

7 keys of comprehension is the result of cutting-edge research.  It gives parents and teachers practical, thoughtful advice about the seven simple thinking strategies that proficient readers use:

1. Connecting reading to their background knowledge
2. Creating mental images
3. Asking questions
4. Drawing inferences
5. Determining what’s important
6. Synthesizing ideas
7. Solving problems

Through the seven main concepts, specific strategies are provided.  These strategies include, but are not limited to:  Think-Pair-Share, book-walks, coding text, visualizing, think-a-loud, how to read format, and use of graphic organizers.  Tutors have the opportunity to engage students in one-on-one and small group learning, these teaching moments are ideal for utilizing the strategies.  The goal is to construct a solid learning foundation, also known as a tool box; that enables students to become self-learners and read for the sheer joy of it!

Amanda Weiman

Amanda always wanted to be a teacher.  She loves working with kids through volunteering at camps and coaching.  “Tutoring is a perfect fit for me.  It’s rare that one can truly love going to work everyday, I am thankful that I can.  Assisting students with their daily school work and getting the chance to mentor them warms my heart and I end up being the one who learns form them.”  Amanda will be attending the teaching program at Eastern Washington University in the fall of 2008.  “Working for GEAR UP has helped to shape not only my life, but the lives of the students that I get to work with everyday!”

Carlos Martinez

Carlos has been employed with the GEAR UP program as a tutor for four years.  His bilingual skill and ability to establish a strong rapport with students has been a valuable asset.  “I really enjoy working with Garrison students.  One of my goals this year is to invest more time in mentoring students and to lead by a positive example.  I take great pleasure and pride in assisting the Hispanic culture to prosper in education.”  Carlos has been attending Walla Walla Community College to obtain his Associate of Arts degree with plans to enroll in the Carpentry program and work in the construction industry.

Ronald Sanchez

Ronald has a passion for working with youth and an understanding of cultural diversity.  He has lived in Santiago Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.  During that time, he learned to speak English, French, Spanish, and Creole.  Ronald has a degree in Auto Mechanics for Walla Walla Community College and is currently seeking a Business and Administration degree.  “Working with teenagers gives me an opportunity to show them that there is more to life then gangs and drugs.  I can help them to make the right decisions and provide encouragement.  I wouldn’t be surprised if my career path changed to the educational field.”

Justine Benson

Justin tutors and is responsible for the data collection and entry for the Garrison GEAR UP program.  She graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Recreation Therapy.  Justine loves to work children and has done so for fifteen years as a Swim Coach, Youth Group Leader, and Educational Assistant.  “I hope to go back to college in the fall of 2008 to earn a degree in Nursing or Education.  I am glad to be at Garrison Middle School helping students realize that they can accomplish their goals through sharing my life struggles and triumph and guiding students to make the right choices.”

Jason Grove

Jason attended Washington State University majoring in Education and playing on the baseball team.  In 2000, he was fortunate enough to get drafted by the New York Yankees, therefore leaving college in his junior year.  After eight seasons in the minor leagues with the Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners, Jason decided to go back to college to complete the Elementary in Education program.  “I enjoy tutoring, it has allowed me to work with students to enhance their learning development where it is most needed.  It is rewarding to work with students and to know that you have made a difference.”

Sam Martinez

Sam is the youngest of five brothers and has one sister.  His family is very musical, and all but one of the siblings play a musical instrument.  Sam played the electric guitar in jazz band throughout high school and thought that he wanted to become a professional musician.  After working as a Youth Leader at his church, Sam took pleasure in the energy that the kids have and has changed his career choice.  “I want to study theology and become a Youth Pastor and am planning on recording a CD of live praise and worship music.”  As a tutor, Sam is a good role model whom students can look up to, especially Hispanic students.  “I relate well to kids and they are comfortable learning from me.”

Dana Johnson

Dana is currently attending Whitman College majoring in Religious Studies.  After graduation he plans to move to Seattle or Portland to get involved with an organization combating religious intolerance.  Eventually, Dana would like to attend graduate school, then continue working in the field of religion and social work overseas.  As a tutor, Dana wants to make a difference in students’ lives.  He contributes to the success of students by providing endless encouragement to them during both successful and challenging moments in the classroom.  “A large amount of patience goes a long ways as well.”  His positive attitude and relentless effort shows students that he cares and wants to see them succeed.

Gloria Carbajal

Gloria worked as Certified Nursing Assistant, prior to being a tutor, and plans attending Walla Walla Community College’s Nursing program in a few years.  “I love working with people and find it rewarding being involved in the health profession.”  Gloria enjoys reading, writing, and math, which is apparent in her subject knowledge and passion for learning.  “I am still a kid at heart, trying to become an adult, therefore, I relate to the barriers that the students are facing.  It is important for me to prepare students to be successful learners so that they too can help others.”