Education students contribute to tutoring program recognized for excellence

The Volunteer Tutoring Program, a collaboration between University Michigan-Dearborn’s School of Education and the Oakwood Center for Exceptional Families, was recognized as a finalist for the 2011 Michigan Governor's Service Award in the category of Outstanding Volunteer Program.

UM-Dearborn School of Education students play a key role in the success of this program. Students in EDC 460 (Exceptional Child) routinely volunteer to tutor a child for 10 hours during a semester. Students from other courses (e.g., EDC 241) also frequently volunteer their time as tutors in this program.

The Governor's Service Awards are presented annually to individuals, businesses and organizations to acknowledge their commitment to solving community issues through volunteerism. The Outstanding Volunteer Program category was established to recognize the “extraordinary work volunteers accomplish in communities” and to “acknowledge the importance this support can make in community life.”

The Governor's Service Awards recipients were selected from finalists in eight award categories. Friends, relatives and colleagues submitted more than 100 nominations to pay tribute to individuals, organizations and businesses who exemplify the spirit of volunteer service. An objective peer review panel and the board of the Michigan Community Service Commission selected the finalists and winners, with final approval of the selections from Governor Rick Snyder.