Many area organizations have provided tutors in area schools. Even more would like to send resources into our schools to offer mentoring and tutoring. Going into the schools with good intentions is admirable, but there is much about the process that you cannot anticipate or prepare for. Most of these efforts tend to run into problems or issues that prevent those efforts from becoming permanent, reliable, an
d integrated with the school system. A few have overcome the issues, and the only certified program is the SIL outreach. Through a series of training meetings, there is a way for your organization or group to become certified to mentor and teach in the local schools.
Ask any school Principal and they will tell you the proper model to follow is the “Morning Star Model” – our program at Darrough Elementary through the Kokomo School System. It is a 5 year old program that has resulted in thousands of hours of tutoring and mentoring as we work with teachers and administrators. The model has been recognized by state and local entities (State Superintendent, legislators, area churches, schools, parents, the list goes on) for the effectiveness and impact we have on the lives of everyone connected to Darrough…..but it is not about us.
S
IL is an outreach of Morning Star Church with our program focused on our neighborhood school (Darrough), so we had no “community-wide” base from which to offer our program to the area. Also, we are very limited by our funding creed – we do not accept donations in most cases….we used to believe God would provide – after 5 years we KNOW God will provide. He has provided our every need. Our limited “seed” funds are donated and tithed to MSC and provded to us. Now we feel God is growing this model. It is a great model for one neighborhood, but as good stewards, we needed to plan for a larger calling.
So we want to provide the opportunity for other organizations to “seed” tutors and mentors to a larger community and area schools using our training and experience assets. (See Community) 
Through the efforts of Kokomo Urban Outreach, (KUO) Serving In Love (SIL) is now faciltating our elementary school Mentoring and Tutoring Outreach under the umbrella of Morning Star Church and establishes the “Morning Star Model” as the recognized program for other faith-based organizations (FBO) to become involved in tutoring and mentoring in our local school systems.
We have trained 8 area FBO’s and we just learned that we will now be certified to facilitate training to deliver learning resulting in a portable certification recognized as THE prerequsite for entering into a school to provide these services. We just learned we will have 3 more area churches for training this April. If your FBO would like to begin to tutor and mentor, there are still spaces available and upon successful completion, you WILL receive the certification ( and a Certificate suitable for framing) accreditated by SIL and recognized by our School Systems.
It is not a simple process and you will need some help to begin an “in school” tutoring/mentoring program at your FBO. We have sessions with school officials about the way to integrate into the system, the legal and background requirements, the methods and standards, and a wealth of information about the way schools operate, facilitate and deliver required and optional programming. Our training lays out the path and simplifies the exectations for your FBO. They also provide information about programs that are “transparent” to outsiders (security, social, and special needs).
We also need to get ready for summer tutoring programs. The need for mentors and tutors does not disappear when the public schools close. SIL would love to partner with your FBO in a summer program or have you join ours.
The simple fact is, many programs have failed because they were poorly prepared or failed to understand the requirements. We train and certify that your are ready.
Next we provide expert training from our Faith-Based experts. The FBO learning component allows you to understand your mission from a Faith-Based perspective. We deal with several issues that will inevitable come up and can cause issues. “What to do when…..” “Can we pray?” “How to report a problem” “Can we approach the Family”. Without proper guidance and training, it is very difficult if not impossible to succeed. Your FBO will receive training that teaches you how to reflect your faith as you intervene into the lives of our children. Pastors, mentors, tutors, and program directors with years of successful experience will be on hand to help you become certified.
Sound interesting for your FBO, small group,or church? Contact MSC for more details and to enroll.
