Michigan's AmeriCorps Member of the Month

As part of her service, Kate works with 15 elementary school students reading below grade level. The goal of the Char-Em ISD AmeriCorps program is to help low level readers increase their skills to read at grade level. Member trainings focus on strategies and methods to use in this pursuit. "Kate has been extremely coachable in terms of grasping concepts and applying those strategies and methodologies with her assigned students," stated program director Dennis Halverson. "Her personality, energy, and enthusiasm are a combination that has also led to establishing strong relationships with the students."

Kate has been a welcome addition to the students and staff at Lincoln Elementary. In a recent performance evaluation by the Lincoln Elementary School principal (and site supervisor), Kate received the rating of ‘Exceeds Expectations" on all 13 of the topics on which she was reviewed. This is the highest assessment possible, which is a rare feat to accomplish!

On March 18 of this year, Kate demonstrated her exceptional ability to remain calm and collected in a challenging situation. Kate was in the Lincoln Elementary School cafeteria when she observed a student in physical distress. She knew this kindergarten student, and could see he was having a difficult time breathing and was showing signs of an obstructed airway. Based on the emergency first responder training she received during her AmeriCorps orientation, Kate administered the Heimlich maneuver on the child and dislodged a piece of food that was blocking his airway. Kate's quick response and the practical application of her medical training most likely saved this little boy's life.

"From my own experience, there is a small window of opportunity in situations such as this to act and prevent a terrible tragedy from occurring," stated Dennis Halverson. "Kate was an excellent AmeriCorps member before this event, and her reaction in this situation reinforces her capability and professionalism, both of which were critical to a successful outcome for this child. Kate's focus on the children and her ability to apply what she learned through her AmeriCorps training was an extremely positive reflection on our Char-Em ISD AmeriCorps program and the quality of all our members."

Kate is a 2011 graduate of Michigan State University and will be attending medical school in the fall of 2013.

For more information about the Char-Em ISD AmeriCorps program, contact program director Dennis Halverson at halversond@charemisd.org. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.