For Evan Reddick, one of the highlights of his week is walking into Huffman Middle School and being greeted by a group of smiling sixth graders.
“When I get in there and see smiling faces, kids cracking jokes and everything else going on, I cherish that set amount of time to talk to them and lift them up,” Reddick said.
Reddick is part of United Way of Central Alabama’s High-Dosage Tutoring Program—a partnership with United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) and Birmingham City Schools (BCS). The program launched in 2022 as a targeted response to learning loss brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has continued to grow, engaging students from across a range of majors and universities.
Currently pursuing a doctorate in education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Reddick joined the tutoring program in fall 2023. Over the course of the year, he’s seen real progress in his students, not just academically, but also in their behavior, mastery of material and enthusiasm about learning.
“As a tutor you find that the students are excited when you get there to instruct them because it gives them a little break away from their traditional environment,” Reddick said. “They seem to be receptive to the additional guidance they’re getting outside of the standard classroom setting.”
That sense of impact goes both ways. While helping students strengthen their skills and confidence, Reddick says the experience has helped him grow, too, particularly in developing professional communication and leadership abilities.
“I’ve gained experience working with different personalities and building relationships with students and administrators,” he said. “At Huffman Middle alone, I’ve met a variety of teachers and school leaders who’ve supported whatever I’ve needed to help students succeed. That’s been a major takeaway for me.”
Aleisha Dunning, Tutoring Partnership Coordinator at United Way of Central Alabama, oversees the program. She works closely with both students and schools to match tutors with the classrooms where they’re needed most.
“One of the things I love about this program is how diverse it is,” Dunning said. “We have tutors majoring in chemistry, pre-med, education, engineering—you name it. What they all have in common is a passion for giving back to their community.”
Tutors are paid $15/hour and enjoy flexible scheduling that accommodates their academic commitments. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a post-secondary program and maintain at least a 3.25 GPA.
Whether they’re pursuing careers in education or something entirely different, tutors like Evan Reddick are proving just how powerful a little extra support—and a lot of heart—can be in shaping a student’s future.
Originally published at BoldGoals.org. Updated and reposted with permission.