Tusculum College students are working with Hal Henard Elementary School students this summer as part of the College’s partnership with their All Children Challenged and Equipped for Success in School (ACCESS) program. The program is set up for the College students to work with second through fifth graders in academic areas, as well as through offering enrichment activities.
According to Polly Johnson, assistant professor of education and director of field experience for Tusculum College, working with the Hal Henard Elementary School students through the ACCESS program is an extension of the College’s civic arts and service learning culture.
“Many of our students can be found working in service projects and providing assistance in a variety of areas throughout the community. The ACCESS program provides service opportunities for the College students while meeting a need in the community,” she added.
“The Tusculum College students that have been working with our Summer ACCESS program have been phenomenal,” said Hal Henard Principal Ken Fay. “We have had about six or seven students with us each day, and they have done a great job working with our kids. ”
In addition, the students, education majors at the college, have the opportunity to learn how schools are adapting to help meet the needs of students in their care, said Fay.
“We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the ACCESS program of Hal Henard Elementary School,” said Polly Johnson, director of field experience at the college.
“The partnership of Hal Henard and Tusculum’s field experience team provides a valuable asset in the training and success of our pre-service educators. We are very pleased to continue our relationships in providing service to local schools and communities.”
Developed by the staff at Hal Henard, the ACCESS program provides academic assistance and enrichment for reading, math and science, in addition to a variety of extracurricular enrichment activities such as arts and crafts, health/wellness, cooking and computers.
The purposes of the program are to provide a safe environment for the students, to provide extra help with math and reading, to provide fun enrichment activities, to provide wellness activities, to provide additional reading time and to offer a healthy afternoon snack.
The mission of the program is to provide academic, enrichment and wellness opportunities for the children of Hal Henard.
Among the Tusculum College students who have participated have been Shannon Haney, Billie Michelle Hernandez, Chloe Baugh, Jenny LeAnne Murvin, Elizabeth Ricker, Jocelyn Johnson, Samantha Ramsey, all of Greeneville; ShoSanne Evans of New Tazewell; Amy Salyer, of Gray, Matthew Hurd of Kingsport, Garry Lewis of Newport, Hope Penley of Limestone, Bess Gutenstein of Marietta, Ga. and Tyler Collins of Flowery Branch, Ga.