Teacher Appreciation Week

In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded Congress to create the first National Teachers’ Day. Then in 1980, Congress officially declared March 7th as National Teacher Day. Then, and five years later, in 1985 the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May.

The National Education Association calls this, “A day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”  

 In celebration of the end of Teacher Appreciation Week, here are some stories and advice from some of our Andson tutors and teachers who provide free after school tutoring at Clark County Libraries in Las Vegas.

“My favorite thing about tutoring for Anson is getting to meet new students and watching them learn something new. I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time helping students grow and learn. My day job is working with students with autism for the Clark County School District. When I’m not tutoring, my favorite thing to do in Las Vegas is to go out and try new restaurants and find fun new things to do around town. My advice to students when they come into tutoring is to be ready to learn. The team and I are here to help you grow and we are excited to watch you succeed in your educational goals and challenges.” – Kim at Whitney Library

“I have been tutoring with Andson for over 6 years. I love being able to work with a wide variety of age groups and needs representing a large number of different schools. It’s interesting to see the expectations of one school versus another at the same grade level. I also love seeing the growth in students who have been coming to us since our site opened. What a difference knowing that our Whitney staff has contributed to this student growth is very rewarding!” – Pam at Whitney Library

“I’ve been with Andson for 4 and a half years. I like teaching students using real world situations and memes. Our team is the best team I’ve ever worked with. They’re supportive, cooperative, and most of all, empathetic.” – Angela K. at Rainbow Library

“I enjoy the interactions with the youth. I've always appreciated working with young people. Tutoring mathematics also keeps me "with it." I enjoy the challenges that come to my table! When I’m not tutoring, my favorite thing to do in Las Vegas is to go to concerts. I love music. My advice to students is to come prepared to think and work. Bringing notes from class is helpful for the upper grades.” – Tamplyn at Centennial Hills Library

“I’m a retired preschool teacher and director and I feel lucky to be on such a good team at a very good library. The team is always nice and nurturing. My advice to students is to do your best work. We are here to help you and guide you.” – Bobbi at Rainbow Library

Don’t forget today is the last day to enter the SSSCU drawing for a chance to win $1,000! In honor of #TeacherAppreciationWeek our partners at Silver State Schools Credit Union are doing a Visa gift card giveaway to 3 lucky Southern Nevada teachers! You do not need to be a credit union member to enter the drawing. Submit now for a chance at $1,000!

And here’s a list of hundreds of discounts offered to teachers on school supplies, clothing, food, and more! 

Gordon McCaw Elementary School

Gordon McCaw Elementary is one of Andson’s newest sites. Andson has agreed to maintain their funding so students can finish out the year in their after school programs. The school will soon to be transitioning into a magnet program. Not only will they be implementing our after school tutoring, but we will be assisting them in the process of finishing out their original curriculum before they begin the shift into new classroom material. This exciting new material will be centered on STEAM curriculum, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Andson will be at McCaw on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4:00 p.m. with seven teachers and one support staff. These CCSD certified instructors will be helping grades 2-5 with homework and will provide small group tutoring. After this academic portion, students are provided a meal by Three Square, and then participate in a self-selected enrichment activity. During these times, the tutors will also be encouraging students to participate in setting goals for themselves to track their progress throughout the tutoring.

Unique to McCaw Elementary is the School of Mines. Current principal, Jennifer Furman-Born took us on a short tour and proudly told us all about it. What started as a paper mache project in 1998 has turned into quite an attraction. Teacher Janet Bremer along with then principal, Janet Dobry shared this vision. Today, with the help of community partnerships, students all over the valley can experience a simulated mine and learn about Nevada mining and history.

For more info on the McCaw School of Mines, please visit www.mccawschoolofmines.org.

Spotlight Site - Vegas Verdes Elementary School

Andson operates after school programs in several locations, three of which are Zone schools: Hollingsworth, Sunrise Acres and Vegas Verdes Elementary Schools. This month, we are focusing our spotlight on Vegas Verdes Elementary School.Andson’s Homework Help and Tutoring program is dedicated to offering homework help and tutoring from licensed tutors for every student at Vegas Verdes' after school program by partnering with City of Las Vegas’ Safekey Program. The purpose is to provide academic support by assisting students directly with the homework concepts they may struggle with in class each day. Andson provides tutors and aides Monday through Thursday to work with 3rd and 4th grade students.

To learn more, please take a look at the short video below:

Spotlight Site - Bridger Middle School

December’s spotlight is on Jim Bridger Middle School. The magnet program at Bridger Middle School provides so many incredible opportunities for the students, exposing them to careers in the fields of robotics, aerospace, aviation, biomedicine, and computer technology.

Andson is committed to helping the students at Bridger reach their full potential and excel academically. By providing after school tutoring, we can ensure each student is working at grade level and is able to participate in all that the school has to offer.

Please watch the short video below to learn about this fantastic partnership.

December's Tutor of the Month - Teresa Weir

We are thrilled to honor December’s Tutor of the Month, Teresa Weir. Teresa hails from northern Alabama. After graduating college, she accepted a teaching job in Florida, where she worked for 25 years. It was Teresa’s father who inspired her to become a teacher. He was a biochemistry professor at a university and she would accompany him to his classroom on weekends. Her imagination ran away with her as she played with his lab equipment, pretending she had an audience. To this day, science is Teresa’s favorite subject.

We caught up with Teresa at Sunrise Library where Andson provides homework help and tutoring four days per week. The children gravitate toward her and really take in what she is offering them. “I think the tutoring program is invaluable, helping students get up to speed, gain confidence in learning, engage more effectively, and benefit from improved grades.“ she said, “I believe the tutors at Andson help students reach their full potential academically.”

Teresa is currently the Art Specialist at Sue Morrow Elementary School in Henderson. With hobbies in painting and ceramics and a love for science, what can’t Teresa do?

We are happy to have you, Teresa. Thank you for your dedication!