The Impact Learning Center is Expanding

By Jenna Gerstenschlager

Not long after the students trickle into the Middle Cross Church, a line of volunteers enter the building. These people are the most vital parts of our program as they are the ones that essentially keeping it running and have made it the success it has become. During the course of a typical day there are two tutoring sessions that happen, each forty-five minutes long. Just a few months ago the ILC R.E.A.L. room had a mere four stations set up for tutoring on a daily basis. This quarter, however, up to eight students receive tutoring at a time, with anywhere between nine to fifteen students receiving one-on-one tutoring every day. This quarter there was an incredible increase of the number of voluneers helping at the ILC either as a book buddy or tutor, up from 33 people to currently 48. What a testimony of God's graciousness as he continues to provide for our needs. I only look forward to what the Lord has planned for this program in the upcoming weeks, months, and years.

Experience in the R.E.A.L. room

By Jenna Gerstenschlager

I had the opportunity this past week to work in the R.E.A.L. room and experience first hand what being a tutor is all about. I had the opportunity to work with both Madison and Simone. My first tutoring session was with Madison. I had a few jitters to begin with, but as soon as we started there weren’t any problems and the lesson ran very smoothly. I was really impressed with not only how well Madison read, but also her enthusiasm. The next day I worked with Simone. Once again I was taken back by how eager these girls were to read. At the beginning of our time together Simone read a story she had been working on for a few days, and to her delight she mastered it. Anyone could tell by the smile on her face that she was pleased with her work. She happily took the story out of her binder and placed it in the “stories mastered” section. With just that one success, Simone’s confidence grew as we continued to read.

Initially I was a little afraid that some of the kids wouldn’t enjoy the tutoring experience; that they would think it was too much like school. Instead I found that the kids have really developed a love for reading. I think that in the kids with the achiever or competition strength this program works really well because the challenge of trying to master a new story and move up levels keeps them going. For others, it’s just fun and has become a normal part of their everyday afternoon activities.

A Child's Prayer

by Jenna Gerstenschlager

"Ok, who wants to pray this week?" says Miss Anna. It's team time in the 1st and 2nd grade room. Almost every child eagerly raises his or her hand. I remember back to when the program first started and no one raised his hand. It was always Anna or I who prayed. Now, everyone wants to make sure they each get a turn.

Some of the kids act nervous when they are praying aloud in front of the class. For others it's a breeze. Yet in every prayer I am amazed with the things the kids bring to the Lord. "Please help us be safe," they say. "Help us have a good day." Most of all, I am amazed by their thankfulness. "Thank you for the snack we had, Thank you for Miss Anna and Miss Jenna, Thank you for this day." I am touched by their thoughtfulness and inspired by their words. Further, I am challenged in my own prayer life.

How often do I sit down and simply thank the Lord for the food He's given me, the people He's put in my life, and for each and every day that I'm alive?

"People like me here."

by Jenna Gerstenschlager

Last week during team time when the group was writing Stamps, Keanu raised his hand. I went over to him and asked him who he wanted to write to today. I suggested he look through his stamps and write someone back that had already sent him a Stamp. He happily went through his pile of Stamps he had stashed at the back of his strengths journal. He looked them over and reread a few of them.

At one point he looked up at me and he said, "People like me here."

“Yes, we all love having you here,” I replied.

He continued, "When I first came I didn't know anybody, but now I have a lot of friends."

He had the biggest smile on his face when he said that. It made me wonder about what it's like for him at school, and how many friends he does have. Either way, I think it is so important that our program foster a spirit of acceptance and love amongst each other. I think the post office/stamp idea has been a great asset in accomplishing that.

Art Shop: Get In Touch With Your Creative Side

by Jenna Gerstenschlager

When I was hired I was told to plan a workshop. The only guideline I had was for it to be in the realm of strategic games, visual arts, or science. I decided to start with something familiar to me. For the first nine weeks in the Impact Learning Center, my workshop will focus on visual arts. My goal is for the kids to have a positive, hands-on experience with art.

For our first project we learned about names and what each of ours means. Then the kids were instructed to write their names on construction paper and draw pictures around it describing things they like or like to do. It was a fun way for me and the rest of the kids to get to know each other.

Future projects will include making masks, constructing pictures frames, working with clay, and various painting projects. It's always so exciting for me to see how creative the kids can get with a project. It’s fun to see them take a simple original idea and make it their own.

Meet Miss Jenna

My name is Jenna Gerstenschlager. I grew up in the small town of Palmyra, Nebraska with my mother, younger brother, and older sister. I was saved in the summer of 2001 and it was at that time it was as if the veil over my eyes was lifted and I finally understood the truth of the bible. At that point of time I decided to accept Christ as my savior. I graduated from Palmyra High School in May of 2006. I currently attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and am majoring in elementary education. Various babysitting jobs throughout high school helped cultivate my love for kids, and mission trips to Mexico opened my eyes to people less fortunate than me. I am excited to be working with youth and share the love of God with them.

My official title with the Impact Learning Center is a workshop coordinator. I am in charge of designing and planning different workshops that will be offered. We will explore such things as art, strategic games, and science. For this first quarter we will be doing a variety of art projects. The kids will be doing such things as drawing, making calendars, designing comic strips, and sculpting.

My name is Jenna Gerstenschlager. I grew up in the small town of Palmyra, Nebraska with my mother, younger brother, and older sister. I was saved in the summer of 2006 and it was at that time it was as if the veil over my eyes was lifted and I finally understood the truth of the bible. At that point of time I decided to accept Christ as my savior. I graduated from Palmyra High School in May of 2006. I currently attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and am majoring in elementary education. Various babysitting jobs throughout high school helped cultivate my love for kids, and mission trips to Mexico opened my eyes to people less fortunate than me. I am excited to be working with youth and share the love of God with them.