David Tew
Susan B Anthony Elementary,
Well Community Church
(Interviewed by Carol Young)
David Tew has been a Literacy Mentor at Susan B Anthony for two years and has a huge heart to invest in kids. David is also starting an after school leadership/mentoring program for 5th & 6th grade boys. We are so encouraged by his heart to serve.
A few weeks ago I was watching David work with a 2nd grader who was still struggling with some of his sight words and was very intrigued by the way he helped the student visualize the word.
David
: Pointing to a sight word, “What is this word?
Student: (He struggles, tries to sound it out, finally gets it will a little encouragement)
David: “That’s right. You are great. Now can you use that word in a sentence?”
Student: “I am a great person.”
David: “Yes you are! Now spell it for me.”
Student: “g-r-e-a-t”
David: Now close your eyes and picture that word up on the wall and spell it again.”
Student: (looking up with eyes closed )“g-r-e-a-t”
David: Now keep your eyes closed and look at that word again and spell it backwards.”
Student: ”t-e-a-r-g”
David: “Good job!
It was not only impressive that the student was able to spell the word backwards, it was exciting to see the pride and accomplishment the student felt when he was able to do it!
What made you decide to become a literacy mentor?
I retired in 2016 and was looking for the opportunity to do something meaningful. I had considered several avenues that would allow me to be of help. But, my decision was made clear when I learned about the relationship between individuals who have serious difficulties in life (crime, etc.) and the problems with learning to read by the 3d Grade. I knew I would be able to make a positive difference by helping young students address their reading difficulties.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I know this will sound strange, but when I was very young, we had a bookcase in our home with the Encyclopedia Britannica (24 volumes I think) I would spend hours sitting on the floor looking through and reading the various volumes.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Susan B Anthony?
Easy question. When working with the young students at SBA, the part I love the most is giving them a sense of value, importance and accomplishment, and observing their reaction with smiles and happiness.
What is your hope for Susan B kids?
Of course, I hope the students at SBA will continue to grow, educationally and otherwise, so that their lives will become happy and productive. I am also hopeful that those who volunteer at SBA play a role in that process through teaching, sharing of knowledge and by example.
Who was an encouraging adult in your life?
My parents helped raise an older boy, Gordon Miller (not a relative), who went on to graduate from Fresno State, and then served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, became a police office in Fresno, and eventually a detective in Oakland. While stern some of the time, he always stressed education as a means to self improvement and was always a fine example for the rest of us in the family.
Why did you decide to become the leader for Young Men of Character?
To participate in this wonderful program provides yet another way to have a positive impact on young men while they are at an important and impressionable age. Instead of reading skills, I am hopeful to give them the knowledge, thinking and emotional skills, and other means to achieve strength of character.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Psalm 23. I find it meaningful and enjoyable to read. Strangely, this came about by accident. While very young, we were all staying at a coastal motel. It was very early one morning when my father had left to go deep sea fishing and my mother was still asleep. My younger brother and I got the motel Bible and decided to memorize some Bible verses. We decided to open the Bible and choose a verse randomly. We closed our eyes, opened the Bible, and there was Psalm 23, which we attempted to memorize.
