HWS News
16 October 2024 • Service HWS Tutor Corps Provides Bilingual and Enhanced Training
The “Enlaces” initiative for English Language Learners and enhanced training programs prepare HWS Tutor Corps to make an impact.
Through the HWS Tutor Corps, 111 HWS students serve as tutors for elementary school students with America Reads and the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva.
This year, HWS Tutor Corps has expanded its services, enhancing bilingual and English Language Learner (ELLs) programs and instruction. Additionally, revamped training and instructional methods for all tutors now include new evidence-based strategies grounded in the science of reading.
Enlaces Initiative
With the support of the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, Geneva 2030 and HWS Tutor Corps launched the "Enlaces" initiative, which strengthens Out of School Time programs by increasing participation, fostering a sense of belonging and improving literacy instruction by pairing bilingual speakers with bilingual learners.
“This has been an entirely collaborative effort. Each year we learn more, we grow stronger partnerships and refine our offerings,” says Peter Budmen ’15, MAT’16, Associate Director of CCESL and Co-Action Team Leader for the Literacy Action team with Geneva 2030. “I am immensely proud of the work so many in this community have put into supporting literacy in Geneva.”
In the Geneva City School District, the Hispanic student population has increased from 12% to 38% during the past decade. Nine percent of the students, or 185, are ELLs, including 122 newcomers with limited English proficiency.
This year, 27 HWS tutors are bilingual Spanish speaking.
"Enlaces" (which translates to “links” in Spanish) provides a fun and safe learning environment for ELL youth. Asher Landis ’27 says the strategy has improved engagement, “It gives students an opportunity to get extra support that doesn't feel like work to them,” Landis says.
The Science of Reading
HWS’ Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) also inventoried the instructional materials that prepare HWS tutors for their roles and, in partnership with Geneva City Schools and the Geneva 2030 Literacy Action Team, revamped the HWS Tutor Corps’ training program.
Site Coordinator for the HWS Tutor Corps Nate Morgan ’27 says he has already noticed the positive impact of the trainings in his tutoring sessions. “[The training program] has given me the ability to know how to help a student learn how to read.”
Rebecca Barr ’25, who is a part of the HWS Teacher Education Program, says her tutoring position has been a useful addition to her teacher training, “Having the flexibility and opportunity to get to know students 1:1 is much different than instructing an entire class."
Geneva 2030 is a collective impact initiative working with resources from the entire Geneva community, including nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals, to support the education of Geneva’s children from birth through high school and beyond. Since its founding in 2011, Hobart and William Smith has served as its anchor institution.
Geneva 2030 is funded by Hobart and William Smith, the Breitfeld Group, the Wyckoff Family Foundation, the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, the ESL Charitable Foundation, the Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Town of Geneva.
To learn more about Geneva 2030 and its commitment to Geneva youth, reach out to geneva2030@hws.edu or click here or here.
In the photo above, Wedad Al Rousan '26 works with students at the Boys and Girls Club.
