Kevin West
Role: Library Assistant and Math Tutor
Kevin has been volunteering with SSV for over 6 months, connecting with students and teachers alike.
Name: Kevin West
I am a: Library Assistant and Math Tutor Van Sickle Middle School.
I have been a Springfield School Volunteer for: 6 months.
I became a Library Assistant and Tutor because: An article I read on MassLive.com indicated Van Sickle Middle School only had a 56 percent graduation rate. I wondered, what happens to the other 44 percent? I thought I could help Van Sickle Middle School by volunteering and looked for available positions on the Springfield School Volunteers website.
By being a Library Assistant and Tutor I have learned: Children will only go as far as we take them. As an African-American male I see certain children gravitate towards me and I know my presence matters. I’ve learned that my actions and interactions with the students and teachers can have a profound and continuing effect.
My favorite thing about mentoring/tutoring is: As simple as seeing the smiles on students faces. If they’re happy, I’m happy!