Dedication

The Coaching services I offer are dedicated to my late Grandfather, Gary Roe.

A Tutor for the Heart

For many years, my grandpa tutored grade-school children how to read. Every time I saw him, he had heart-touching stories about kids who excelling in school because of their excitement to learn with him. His secret was simple. The first thing he taught them was:

“As long as you’re trying, it’s okay to be wrong.”

This really blew kids’ minds and weakened their inhibitions about the vulnerable process of learning, where people often fear judgment if they make a mistake. From this point, my grandfather treated the art of teaching kids how to read as a means for building their self-esteem. He rewarded them with so much praise that he said he couldn’t keep track of how many times he would say, "Excellent.” And even though his main purpose was encouraging the heck out of these children, they learned like anything. They competed with each other to tutor with him, all throwing their hands up whenever the teacher asked who wanted to be assigned to him as a tutor, and running down the halls to hug him whenever they say him walk in.

My aim is to follow in his footsteps, by emulating the spirit of his tutoring in my own coaching sessions.

The following is a newspaper article he wrote:

So, I'm tutoring one-on-one kindergarten and first-grade literacy at Grant street, and yesterday one of my students asked me how old I was. “79”, I said, grinning into widening eyes.

“So, in one year you'll be 80?”

“Yup.”

“Ten more, you'll be 90?”

“And in another 10 year years you'll be 100.”

“Yup,” I replied, with an even wider grin, thinking, that’s the plan at least.

We desperately need more one-on-one literacy tutors and substitutes for children who will be otherwise left behind, and it's the most wonderful win-win situation imaginable: experiences that no amount of money could buy, for as little as an hour a week, eye to eye with the most innocent souls in this most wonderful town.

Fair warning: Look into the eyes of a hesitant child in whom you've just inspired some self-esteem, and the memories of their change in expression, when they first realize how important they are, will bring tears to your eyes - as will their expression whenever they see you afterwards. And the opportunity you then have to nurture that self esteem - all this may hook you.

Some of us are in our seventh year now and still going strong, building innumerable memories of unimaginably beautiful moments, as well as simply fun ones like the exchange above.

And absolutely no teaching experience is required, only a warm heart and the ability to read a kindergarten or first-grade picture book; and, of course, an easy background check, so you know you're in good company.

This is actually about teaching young children how to feel good about themselves, and literacy is our most valuable tool. Just contact Grant Street grade school and tell them you are interested in joining their wonderful community of volunteers.

Gary Roe

Port Townsend

Children’s Thank You Cards