Every student needs an academic coach and cheerleader...someone who is unconditionally invested in the child's progress. This need is met when a FLIP volunteer offers friendship to an academically at-risk student. These nurturing relationships help each child feel the joy of being significant to a caring adult and the pride that comes from mastering challenges. I've watched students of FLIP volunteers close learning gaps as well as gain self-esteem and improve school behavior. These miracles happen because FLIP adults are dedicated and dependable school partners who make the difference in children's lives.

 Janice Warren

2009 Flora McKean Award Recipient

  There are many reasons that inspire a person who gives their time to tutor and mentor students as a FLIP volunteer: a love for children, a love of reading, or a desire to make a difference.  Today we salute a volunteer who as tutored since the 1999-2000 school year at Hermitage Elementary. She shares these all these motivations, plus one other that is very significant.
 Janice Warren remembers how she felt as a child who struggled in learning to read.  Janice isn’t shy about letting people know that reading was hard for her when she was growing up.  Several years ago, the mother of one of her students came to school to meet Janice in response to the parent communication form which our tutors complete.  This young boy’s mom shared that she was not a good reader herself and didn’t read with her son.

 Janice put the mother at ease by relating her own struggles with reading as a girl, then invited the mom to watch the tutoring session, hoping that she might see something she would feel comfortable doing at home.  This mom was so interested; she even returned and watched the following week.  A few weeks later, the young boy told Janice that his mother had started to read with him at home.

Looking back through years of comments that teachers have made about having Janice as a tutor for their students, there are many like these, “She was always positive and cheerful,” “She didn’t give up on the student,” “She did a lot to bolster the child’s self confidence and self worth,” “The student has made tremendous gains in reading and we have seen a huge improvement in his self-esteem,”  “She helped him enjoy reading.” 

And then the high praise of Ms. Karen Mellette, the teacher Janice partnered with this year, who shared, “I have never had a tutor with such initiative and enthusiasm.  I have worked with many great tutors during my years of teaching.  What set Janice apart is the level of commitment and preparation she puts forth each week to help the students become more confident, successful readers. WOW!”  Ms. Mellette also shared some of the students’ quotes, “She helps me find small words in big words,” “She helps me skim for answers,” “She helped my reading rate go up,” and even “She’s pretty.”  What beautiful sentiments for children to feel as the result of their intergenerational friendships with this special woman.

Janice has had many demanding family responsibilities these last few years (such as caring for her ailing 90+ year old mother), plus other commitments to juggle, such as those to her church and other community activities.  But she is always faithful to her FLIP students.  Mickie Agee, the reading specialist and FLIP contact at Hermitage, sums it up in saying, “Janice Warren is an excellent FLIP volunteer.  She always goes the extra mile in helping her students.  She not only cares about their educational needs, but she cares about their emotional well-being.  She has shown such an excellent rapport with each of her students.  They know that she cares about them and they try much harder because they want to please her.” 

As someone who epitomizes the values of RSVP and FLIP, Janice Warren is the recipient of the 2009 Flora McKean Award.