Tutoring at Educational/Family Services brightens Dalton Burry's childhood

Dalton Burry and his tutor Randi Everett, left, laugh together
as Dalton displays a dead butterfly he found near the sign
for Educational/Family Services in West Terre Haute.

Three years ago Dalton Burry was in second grade. He didn’t know his ABC’s; he couldn’t read; he couldn’t do basic math. He was in special education classes, and he seemed to think school was play time.

His grandmother Marlene Abrams wanted more for Dalton. She sought help from Educational/Family Services (EFS) in West Terre Haute, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence that offers free tutoring for children and free GED preparation and basic education assistance for adults.

“He’s a different little kid since he started coming to tutoring. He used to be afraid to do anything. Now he’s all boy,” Marlene said.

“He has more self-respect and more discipline about doing his school work. He is more cheerful about going to school. Before he used to cry about going to school because kids would tease him and call him dumb,” Dalton's grandma said.

Dalton is now 10 years old and a fifth grader at West Vigo Elementary. With help from his tutor Randi Everett, he has transitioned out of special education and into mostly mainstream classes.

Twice a week Dalton gets off the bus and his grandma brings him straight to tutoring for at least an hour. His tutor Randi Everett helps him with his homework. Then they might work on math facts or study state capitals or go to the computer to work on math games. During the summer Randi worked with him twice a week for 2-3 hours at a time.

“I had F’s and D’s and now I have A’s and B’s,” Dalton said proudly.

“Randi and Penny [Sullivan, director of EFS] have done great wonders for my grandson,” Marlene said.

“I love Randi. It takes a special person to spend time with any child,” Dalton’s grandma said. And when that person is able to help a child and show them that they are something and that they aren’t dumb, that is really making a difference, she said.

Randi said caring is part of the ministry at Educational/Family Services.

“We help with life skills; we listen to problems. Everybody wants someone to listen to them,” she said.

For more information about educational assistance at Educational/Family Services or for information on ways you can help, visit www.EducationalFamilyServices.org or call 812-535-4206. To read more about Dalton, click here.