MORE than a mentor
A rewarding experience at a local elementary school led to career clarity for junior Matt Karlovec – and an award as the “Mentor of the Year” through Project MORE, short for Mentoring in Ohio for Reading Experience.
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Matt had originally planned to teach history and science in grades 4-9 but changed his concentration to early childhood and special education after working with the students at New Riegel Elementary School during the 2007-08 academic year.Matt used a series of lesson plans, and mentored the children as they read books, helping them with words and a worksheet and even playing instructional games. The experience was rewarding because he saw first-hand the improvement in the students’ skills.
A earlier back injury left Matt with the loss of feeling in his lower extremities and chronic back pain. He uses a cane for assistance, and sometimes a walker. The New Riegel students were welcoming, and Matt believes they also learned lessons in handling the diversity of special-needs individuals. His mobility difficulties create challenges, and Matt said helping the children at New Riegel was an outlet for his struggles.
Third-grade teacher Bethany Brickner, a 2006 Heidelberg alumna who coordinates Project MORE, nominated Matt for the “Mentor of the Year” award, which he received at Bowling Green State University on May 19.
Posted on May 28, 2008
Photo courtesy of The Advertiser-Tribune