AAUW Laguna Beach sponsors an after school tutoring program known as “The Learning Club” (TLC) at El Morro Elementary School. The program has been running since 1999. In the past few years the program has served an average of 8-10 students per year in grades 1-5. Students are recommended for the program by their classroom teachers as needing additional support to be successful in school. Students are matched with a tutor or tutor pair, who meet and work with the students two afternoons for sixteen weeks, January through May. Students receive help with their homework and in subject areas in which they may need remedial work. The program is supervised by two El Morro teachers, working with TLC program chair Kathy Willman. If you would like to be part of this rewarding program and make a difference in a student’s life, please contact Kathy. No experience necessary. You just need a desire to help a child and availability from 2-4pm Tuesday and/or Thursday afternoons.
2022-2023 School Year
TLC program chair Kathy Willman with our supervising teachers Maggen Haverland and Nicole Stewart
2021-2022 School Year
There was no TLC during the 20/21 school year due to COVID. On October 21st, Peggie and I met with the principal of El Morro and our 2 supervising teachers to discuss options for resuming TLC. We agreed to a pilot of sorts, beginning in October when the other after school programs began. (Historically, we began in January.) We also agreed to prioritize first and second graders to help them with their reading and math facts. We recruited 6 volunteers who had previously tutored for us. The teachers identified 6 students and we worked with them until Thanksgiving.
Then Omicron struck, so we postponed the second term start to February 8th. A few of our tutors could not resume due to COVID, but the school had 7 students for us. We tried giving 2 students to each tutor, but found this challenging. We’ve always run the program on a one-to-one basis. So it was all hands on deck with Peggie and I taking students. When needed, our teachers also worked with a student. I must say Peggie and I quite enjoyed it. Though smaller this year, TLC was rewarding for our wonderful tutors and beneficial for our students.
We were shocked and saddened when the principal of EL Morro passed away on May 25th. Chris was very supportive of TLC and we will miss him.
Debbie Finnerty (also an AAUW member) was one of our supervising teachers for 7 years. She retired at the end of the school year. We thank her for all the time and care she gave to the program and wish her a very happy retirement.
As of June 30th Peggie will step down from co-chairing TLC. Peggie started the program 22 years ago with 2 other AAUW members. I tried to estimate how many hours Peggie gave to the program. I gave up when I reached 3,000. I’m sure every one will join me in giving Peggie a huge thank you.
Kathy Willman
