The ‘Cuse Spot initiative will return for its fourth year this February, asking Syracuse University students to volunteer as teachers for any subject they choose — from tae kwon do to French.

Volunteers must sign up by Dec. 13. and will hold classes in February during a mid-Winter Break for elementary and middle school children in Syracuse’s public education system. During the most recent ‘Cuse Spot program in February 2013, an estimated 50-60 students signed up to be teachers for the program.

The classes will run from Feb. 18-Feb. 21, said Kristin Conway, a co-director for the ‘Cuse Spot. She said the organization’s goal is to have SU students engage beyond the campus and into the Syracuse community by sharing a hands-on talent with children who are interested.

The classes take place at the Wilson Park community center, which is five minutes away from campus.

Conway added that the opportunity benefits both the volunteers and the Syracuse residents who attend.

“It’s good to broaden your experience working with kids and it’s a good chance to be able to write your own curriculum and practice doing lesson plans and presenting,” the senior nutrition major said. “And also just to help the kids who otherwise might not have much going on in that period of time.”

Previous classes for the course include jewelry-making, tae kwon do, poetry and salsa lessons. Conway taught a course on nutrition during the previous ‘Cuse Spot week. She said the students were very interested and eager to learn the subject. For her class, she taught her students how to cook and eat healthy, she said.

“In the end we talked about label reading, and they all learned exactly what I hoped they would learn,” Conway said.

Whitney Marin, also a ‘Cuse Spot co-director, said the children really enjoy hands-on classes such as poetry, music and sports. She added that the classes are a mixture of educational and fun programs to keep the children occupied.

Marin, a junior majoring in television, radio and film and public policy, added that any SU student is encouraged to apply to be a teacher for the ‘Cuse Spot.

“Little kids look up to older students. College students really provide a great role model for them to do something in the community and be active,” she said. “I’ve never had little brothers and sisters, and it’s a really cool way to share something you’re passionate about.”

Abby Isaacs, the co-public relations chair for the program, taught a French class last February, and said that the students were very eager to learn another language. She got involved with the program because she wanted to become involved on campus and received an email about the program.

Isaacs, a sophomore broadcast and digital journalism and political science major, said the program was a nice opportunity for children who don’t usually have these kinds of classes.

She said all students should take advantage of the program and volunteer.

“It’s for everyone, you can teach anyone anything you’re good at. If you’re a broadcast major, teach reporting. If you’re a school teacher you can teach about teaching,” she said. “The sky’s the limit, anything you’re good at, you can teach these kids.”

Published on December 4, 2013 at 1:24 am

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