Bob and Michelle Hynes help out at Valparaiso middle schools
Educators, retired businesspeople, graduate students -- AmeriCorps has had volunteers from all walks of life and a range of ages. But this year Porter County is benefitting from the efforts of a unique pair. Michelle and Bob Hynes are a father-daughter duo stationed at Valparaiso's two middle schools.
Bob Hynes discovered AmeriCorps in his search for a meaningful way to help students improve their math skills. Retired from his job in management at a steel company, Hynes has an engineering degree from Rose-Hulman and a desire to make a difference.
"I was doing substitute teaching, but I realized I could contribute more if I could work one-on-one with students. Tutoring seemed more effective, so I was happy to discover that AmeriCorps had openings for me to do that."
Hynes now reports every school day to Thomas Jefferson Middle School, where he has a full schedule of tutoring sessions with individual seventh and eighth graders.
"We've been working on slopes recently," Hynes said. "When the light bulb moment comes -- when they begin to understand -- that's when I know that what I'm doing is valuable."
Michelle Hynes was delighted that Dad found AmeriCorps. A recent graduate of Indiana University Bloomington with a BS in biology and BA in religious studies, she hopes to become a doctor. Hynes wanted an opportunity to volunteer while she waits for the outcome of her medical school applications.
"I thought maybe I'd volunteer abroad, maybe in Haiti, but I found a way to help right here," Hynes explained. "Dad found AmeriCorps and told me there were slots for tutors. I knew that was right up my alley."
Michelle Hynes now spends her time with sixth graders at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, where she tutors youngsters who need assistance during the school day as well as with other teachers and counselors at the after-school study sessions.
Hynes said her efforts are "much more rewarding than a fast food job," and that she can see the real results of her work on a daily basis.
"We've been teaching the students how to add and subtract negative numbers, which is a difficult concept at first," she said. "The counselors and I felt great when all of the kids we recently tutored aced their tests."
Both father and daughter, who live in Lakes of the Four Seasons, bemoan the fact that more people don't get involved in education.
"It's the key in so many ways," Bob Hynes explained. "Plus I like the kids and the whole idea of helping."
Michelle admitted that she and her father talk frequently about their AmeriCorps middle school gigs and that her mother has to "suffer through a lot of shop talk." Emily Hynes, the matriarch of this pro-education family, is a fifth grade teacher at St. Mary's School in Crown Point.
"Mom sometimes says, 'Hey, I have students, too!' But she is totally supportive of what we're doing, and she's a great mentor for us."
What advice does the duo divulge for helping sometimes struggling students?
"Much of the work involves organization and time management," the future physician suggested. "The students can do the work, but often need help with organizing their time, writing things down in planners, following through. The extra manpower AmeriCorps is providing to help them develop these skills is important."
According to Bob Hynes, students benefit from the time away from distractions.
"Our culture is a distracted one, where computers, video games, constant cell phone beeping have become the norm," he said. "Quiet time to really zero in and master a new idea is what many kids need."
For Hynes, sitting home being bored is not an option. He said more retired people with skills and time to give should consider volunteering.
"Sometimes you feel like you can't do enough, because you really start to care about each and every student," he confessed. "But it's a great feeling when you realize how many you do help."
Michelle said not every day is a success, but every day is enjoyable.
"The thing about this is that you keep at it," she said. "Over time, you see the progress -- you just have to make a long term investment. I am so glad I'm able to do that."
AmeriCorps coordinator Deb Townsend believes this duo is "doing great work."
"Bob and Michelle are exceptional members of our program," she said. "We hope others will join them in service, since we still have AmeriCorps openings."
AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Local AmeriCorps partnerships are funded by grants from the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives. Program volunteers receive living stipends and earn education awards. Service opportunities are available in Porter and Lake Counties. For more information, contact AmeriCorps coordinator Deb Townsend at United Way of Porter County at (219) 464-3583 or via email to deb@unitedwaypc.org.