In building programs that have a focus on developing community minded individuals CBT acknowledges that people with a wealth of experience and knowledge must be used as a resource. For that reason CBT has created the CDTF whose mission is to support the tutoring programs established by CBT through the creation and monitoring of the community focused curriculum, development and oversight of the tutor recruitment and orientation process, and delivery of ongoing feedback and support to the tutors and program coordinators. CBT has sought out young professionals with a background in teaching or community development to assist the CDTF in fulfilling its mission.

The CDTF meets monthly on a weekday evening and is still looking for a few more dedicated young professionals with a relevant background who would be interested in participating in our curriculum development and program oversight process.

CURRICULUM

CBT supplements the one-on-one or group tutoring with their own unique curriculum. This curriculum was developed to facilitating a collaborative project between tutors and students that focuses on increasing community awareness and spans the 12-week program. The culminating of the project is a product that can be displayed to parents and friends. An example of one of our projects involves the tutor-student pair creating a 2 minute video clip about some aspect of their community that they are most proud of. Our curriculum takes the tutor student pair through the different steps involved in reaching the desired end product.

To effectively implement this curriculum and ensure that the tutoring program runs smoothly, CBT has identified site coordinators for each site. The site coordinators work with the board, the tutors and the young learners to maintain consistency of attendants and quality of the tutoring provided.

SITE COORDINATORS

Joe Ptasinski
Joe has been involved with the organization since the fall of 2007 and is currently the coordinator for the Holstein Park program site. He holds degrees in English and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame. He currently works as a GED instructor at a community center in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and has previously worked in youth development and social service administration both Chicago and South Bend, IN.

Suzy Deucher
Suzy joined CBT in the Fall of 2007 as the program coordinator for the Chase Park site. She keeps busy recruiting high school tutors and young learners for the tutoring program, as well as coordinating volunteer events. Suzy is currently working on her master's of English at Depaul University and would like to continue working in the non-profit field.

Jennifer Little
Jennifer Little is currently a senior at Loyola University. She started as a tutor at Chase Park and now is the Site Coordinator at Willye White Park in Rogers Park. She is an Advertising and Public Relations major and Spanish minor. She enjoys working with kids and the community.

Meghan Bongartz
Meghan is a senior at DePaul University and is the site coordinator for our Chase Park tutoring site.