LCCLL tutoring program gears up for fall session

Longwood’s Center for Communication, Literacy, and Learning (LCCLL) will begin its fall tutoring sessions on September 2. Tutoring is available in reading, history, mathematics, English, science, and organizational skills. Sessions are conducted by qualified Longwood University students who are guided and supervised by faculty. Shirley Lee, who has 30 years of experience in education including seven years as assistant principal of Prince Edward Elementary School, is coordinator of tutoring for the LCCLL.

“I am very pleased to have this opportunity to help area children in a different way,” said Lee. “Because of my background, I am able to observe the tutoring sessions and give feedback to the student tutors about how they take theory and put it into practice. The tutoring program provides many invaluable experiences for Longwood students to work not only with students, but also parents.”

Shirley Lee, coordinator of tutoring

Melanie Hawks-Johnson is the mother of four children, three of whom were enrolled in the LCCLL’s summer tutoring program. “I would advise other parents to take advantage of the tutoring program if their children are in need of extra help,” she said. “This is especially important for parents who home-school their children and are not familiar with new technology and new sources of math education. The teachers here are wonderful, caring, and warm individuals. I am 100 percent satisfied with the services. As long as they are here, we will take advantage of it.”

The tutoring program at the LCCLL began in 2007-08 with Longwood’s Tutoring Corps.   Dr. Ruth Meese, the Ranson Professor of Special Education, envisioned the program and shepherded it through its creation. The program is recognized by the Virginia Board of Education as a Supplemental Education Services provider under No Child Left Behind and has provided services to elementary and middle school children from the central Virginia area.

Dr. Lissa Power-deFur, director of the Longwood Center for Communication, Literacy, and Learning said, “Longwood is extremely pleased to have created this program to meet the needs of the community. I have seen the joy on the faces of many of our children as they achieve success through the tutoring. One young man beamed when sharing his report card with his tutor – saying he got the ‘B’ because of her. She reminded the student that he did all the work.”

Fee schedules for evaluation and therapy are available on request. A sliding fee scale is available for those who qualify. For more information about the LCCLL tutoring sessions, call 434.395.2972 or 1.800.518.8828. The LCCLL is located at Third and Main streets in downtown Farmville, directly above the Daily Grind.