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Me (Left of the computer) and Kelly (Right of the computer) running through a lesson about the 1968 Olympics with a group of LPP High Schoolers.

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My name is Aaron Newirth and as of writing this, I am a senior Adolescent Education major at Marist College. Through Dr. Gathers MATA 508 class I had the privilege of working with the Marist Liberty Partnerships Program, LPP for short. I worked with 8th graders every Thursday at Poughkeepsie Middle School. I mainly helped students with their Social Studies or English homework because those are the topics I specialize in. This blog will outline my experiences with Marist LPP during the Fall 2022 semester!

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Post-lesson games and hangout time. Don't underestimate an LPP student's competitive edge in Uno.

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What is it like working with LPP students?

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What is it like working with LPP students?

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It can be daunting working with middle schoolers, it was something I was completely adverse to before I started LPP this year. The kids in LPP are all there to learn and become better students and it took me a few weeks to get myself into the frame of mind to work with a group of kids half my age. It's been a while since I was in 8th grade so I had to remember the level that these students are working at and remind myself not to hold my expectations at a high school or college level. At the end of the day, they are still kids and they are going to goof off and lie about doing their homework. The most important thing I learned from LPP was how to get through to the 8th graders by stepping into their shoes. As an 8th grader I hated doing homework or anything school related and I only wanted to play games and hang out with my friends. These kids are, by and large, no different. Joking with them and poking fun at them when they weakly claim they did all their homework in class helps to break down the barriers they have that stop you from helping them. Earn their trust and they will let you help them.

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As fun as it is helping the students with their work or playing games with them, there is a more difficult side to being an LPP tutor. As an LPP tutor you are a mandated reporter, this means that you have to report anything dangerous/potentially harmful/concerning a student tells you. I learned this on the job after a student offhandedly told me that a past teacher spent more time "hitting on them" than teaching them. At first I was unsure of what I needed to do, but after meeting with Dr. Gathers I had all the tools I needed to fully address the situation. I reported the comment to Mr. Douglas and the Middle School's guidance counselor, Mr. Douglas and I met with the student, and the matter was resolved. The teacher was no longer at the middle school, but his current institution was notified of his past behavior. This experience taught me to be level headed in the face of a difficult situation. I took my time to assess all my options, and went to the appropriate authorities to handle the situation. This was a hard lesson to learn and it took a lot out of me mentally, but ultimately it was necessary.

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I know originally he says "Imagination!" but use yours to pretend he is saying "Be open to new possibilities!" or something like that.

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When I saw that my LPP assignment was in the Middle School I was initially very unhappy. I actually asked Dr. Gathers if it would be possible to get swapped into the High School because I really did not want to work with middle schoolers. I was a fool and Dr. Gathers knew it. Be open to any possibility when you get your LPP assignment, even if it's with 6th graders and you want to eventually teach 12th grade. You will be surprised by the kids you work with no matter their grade level.

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Have a game face. When you walk into the room before an LPP session you have to leave everything else behind you for two hours. Stressed with school work? Got something happening at home? It has to all be left at the door before you work with the kids. You are there to help them and you can't do that unless your mind is 100% focused on it. You are an authority figure to the students and you have to act like it, that means putting on a strong face for 2 hours.

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Good luck in your first year as graduate students!

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Good luck in your first year as graduate students!

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We have managed pretty well so far and you can too! Make friends with your cohort, work hard, and tell Dr. Gathers I say hi!