This semester my goal is to focus on the education of the youth especially after Hurricane Katrina. As previously stated, the New Orleans Public School System has not provided the best education to its student. With the high number of “failing schools” in the region and the inability for many to excel on standardized tests it is imperative that tutoring programs are made available to students. This semester the problem that exists after Katrina is the delay and put back this disaster placed on educating the youth. As a result many have not fully comprehended the information needed to excel in the upcoming school year and require the extra attention. In order to help area students who may be struggling, I have decided to tutor area students.
When this project first began it was going well, but after a few weeks it began to decline when area schools were dismissed. Therefore I decided to join with others who were already educating New Orleans youth. Here on campus the MAX program, Mobilization at Xavier, is a community service program in conjunction with the volunteer center. This is a program offered to Xavier students in order to encourage participation in programs that are beneficial to others and the development of the community. One of the divisions of this program is Teaching Young Children a program dedicated to tutoring area elementary and middle school students. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 Xavier volunteers are transported to Saint Peter Claver School in order to tutor students. This was the perfect organization for me to join. This group of volunteers were already making a difference in the lives of young children, this is what I wanted to accomplish and decided to join this dedicated group of volunteers on their mission to prepare students academically in order to excel. Being around children is great!! Being from Louisiana it is great to work with area youth knowing that your small deed has made a difference. St. Peter Claver Church is currently holding summer camp sessions. Students who attend the camp come from a variety of schools in the west and east bank, such as Audubon Monastery and Ellender Middle School. As part of this summer camp there are various activities and field trips that are planned in order to keep the children active and happy. In addition teachers assign school work during the day that we as tutors help students to complete . I worked with a group of six graders who were outspoken, smart, and ambitious. They all have dreams to excel becoming models, doctors and various other professionals. Students have the desire to excel they just need to be encouraged and helped along the way. By volunteering our services we are helping to create a brighter and greater future for students. These students are eager to learn and have fun doing so. With a little help they are able to excel academically and reach their goals.
Every Tuesday I, along with at least five individuals leave Xavier campus to tutor the students at St. Peter Claver and interact in any activity that they may be involved in. The students look forward to seeing us and are happy that we have donated our time to be with them. In addition to learning new concepts they also learn how to get along with each other by interacting with other students. They learn how to play fairly and cooperatively with each other, and how to socialize with others.
In addition to volunteering at this school, I have also helped in my local church to educate the youth for upcoming competitions. One good way to educate children and get them actively involved in this process is by formulating a competition. The Church of God in Christ has formulated a competition among area churches that allows the youth to learn biblical facts, the location of the books of the Bible, and increase their vocabulary with spelling competitions to make learning fun. This competition between churches allows children to be stimulated academically as well as gain knowledge about their faith. These children look forward to competing every year and strive to bring home trophies and awards. Participation in these competitions keep children learning through the summer. They are able to improve their reading, writing, and comprehension skills as well as their study skills. This is a way to get students involved in healthy competition, as well as continue to keep education a part of summer activities.
Having activities that allow students to learn a variety of new things is essential in their development. They must have the opportunity to learn as much as they can so that they will be exposed to a variety of situations and activities that will ultimately benefit them in the future. Students can not just rely on schools to educate them, but need involvement from outside sources to back up the classroom learning experience. When schools are struggling it is crucial that tutors are there to pick up the slack and support the children. With the various changes that occur in the school system, with changing of schools, new teachers, and new material taught we must be their to add stability and routine in the lives of young children. They should be able to count on someone to provide them with the assistance they need in order to improve their classroom experience. Tutoring young children is the perfect way to help those who may be struggling after Katrina to give them the support and encouragement to keep going on. With the school system in disarray tutors are needed more than before to help prepare students to achieve their goals and become successful in any area they endeavor to go in.

Prophets in biblical times came from various backgrounds. A prophet could be a man or woman, rich or poor. A prophet was known for predicting the future, however; in biblical times a prophet did much more. Prophets acted as a check and balance against the king and other wealthy officials. They were there to advice the king on a number of situations. Kings came to them when faced with a difficult decision such as entry into a war. Some even performed symbolic actions that were significant and often predicted the success of the land and kingdom. The eight century prophets were Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah. The message they presented dealt with the relationship with God and the Israelites. God is displayed as forgiving. Even after the children of Israel have been unfaithful, God is willing to forgive them and they are able to return back to God. These prophets also bring the message of a better future. Even after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE the people will be resurrected and life will be restored.

My favorite chapter in Amos is the second chapter. Yahweh is usually thought of as good, gentle, and kind. However, Yahweh is displayed as the enforcer who shows forth is wrath on various households. He can no longer overlook transgressions that are committed, but must punish the transgressor. In chapter two he punishes Moab by sending a fire that kills him and his palaces. He will also kill his princes and judges. If a fourth transgression is committed by Judah he will destroy their palaces for not keeping his commandments. After delivering the Children of Israel out of Egypt Yahweh expects them to worship, praise, reverence, and honor him as well as obey his commandments. However, this is not taking place and the Israelites have begun to sin against Yahweh. He can no longer strive with the them and displays his wrath.

My favorite biblical prophet is Elijah. The story of Elijah displays the great faith and belief he had in his Lord. He enters this contest that determines the strength of Yahweh compared to that of a golden image and proves to those in the mist whose “god” is real when fire falls on the sacrifice. Elijah does not die as other prophets did, but is taken up by a chariot of fire. He was very powerful and left earth in style.

By reading about the various biblical prophets, I can see how some of their stories can be related to my project. The city of New Orleans has just gone through a major disaster filled with suffering and turmoil. No one could ever predict the magnitude of destruction nor did the citizens of this state believe that such a thing could take place here. This is similar to Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 BCE. The Israelites never believed that the temple would be destroyed. Jesus would never allow this occur, however; it did occur. After the destruction and devastation they thought that they would never be the same and their foundation would not be restored. Through Job we see that bad things happen to good people and that lives and communities can be restored and be resurrected better than before. The conditions of New Orleans public schools will not remain as they were pre-Katrina, but after the storm education will be much better than before. Schools will be restored and students will receive the proper education they deserve. Through Elijah we can see that the things that may seem to be impossible can be made possible. Rebuilding a failing system of education may seem to be impossible and unlikely, but it can be done if we have the faith and determination. Through the story of Hosea we see that God will forgive and show grace to the unfaithful. Although the students of New Orleans were not receiving the education they deserve and the teachers and many others were unfaithful in their duty to properly educate the youth. Now students have returned and have placed their trust in this school system giving the unfaithful a chance to become faithful to their educational duties. .

Ecclesiastes and Job are known as wisdom literature. Job was a righteous man who has seven sons and three daughters. He had acquired a lot of land filled with thousands of animals. Satan’s desire was to destroy one of the servants of God, causing them to turn their back on God and serve him. Satan brought his case before God and God asks him if he would consider Job. Satan tries to ruin Job by killing his children and flock. He even tried to defeat him by using his wife who encouraged him to curse God and die. However, Job remained steadfast and faithful to God. In the end God restored unto Job everything he lost.

In Ecclesiastes we go on the search for happiness. We learn that for everything there is a reason. Although we may suffer on earth, if we live right, fear the Lord, and keep his commandments we will attain a better life in heaven with the Lord. As one gains knowledge suffering is increased. However, this suffering will turn into joy.

Psalms 22 details what Jesus says while on the cross. Jesus is asking for relief, comfort, and help. He is being mocked and scorned, he is surrounded by the wicked and dogs, he has been pierced in the hands and feet and feels abandoned and alone. He wants deliverance and is crying out to God. He receives comfort by these words, “but when he cried unto him, he heard. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation.” Psalms 22: 26-27 states, “Your heart will live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord”. After what Jesus endured on the cross men will exalt and praise him and this act will be spread from generation to generation.

The original suffering servant was thought to be Jeremiah.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 8:55 am and is filed under Class Comments, Week 09: Implementation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.