Lessons across generations

Christine Carrillo

Retirees have the time and they want to share it.

Back Bay High students need the help and are looking for a place

to find it.

Both are coming together in a monitoring and mentoring program at

Back Bay Alternative High School in Costa Mesa, one that appears to

be the perfect blend of give and take.

“I think it’s a win-win [situation],” said Debbie Davis, principal

at Back Bay. “I think its excellent for them to be willing to share

their skills with us and for our students to get the extra help, one

on one.”

About three years ago, Syd Lucas of the Newport Beach Sunrise

Rotary Club helped organize a program with Back Bay to help its

students. The program now consists of about seven seniors from the

Rotary Club and the Oasis Senior Center who volunteer their time at

the school by tutoring students and assisting teachers.

“Our students have felt very positive about the tutors,” Davis

said. “I think it helps [the tutors] interact with the youth of

today. I think it bridges a generation gap for some of them.”

The school serves students who have struggled at traditional high

schools or are seeking an atmosphere that will allow them to work at

their own pace.

While the tutors come from very different backgrounds, they each

entered the program with a desire to reach out to the younger

generations.

“I just had time available and felt like I should give back to the

community what I got out of it,” said 79-year-old Joe Edberg, a

retired mechanical engineer who has been a part of the program since

the beginning. “I’ve gotten a lot of pleasure out of this. I give

them what I know ... I try to give them practical experience.”

Giving their time and sharing their expertise has its rewards and

its challenges.

“The program’s great, and Joe did help me out a lot,” 18-year-old

Luis Marcial said. “It means a lot that he’s giving up part of his

time. He’s showing me something better than being on the streets.”

Not only has intergenerational tutoring shown Marcial another

path, it has inspired him to consider participating in outreach

programs in the future.

From helping students with math to helping teachers grade papers,

the seniors involved in the program have found a niche in the

educational system that allows them to be a part of the educational

process.

“I think that, in general, there’s a lot of need in this country

... and while I don’t do much here, it gives me a good feeling,” said

73-year-old Bill Kull, whose teaching background is limited to his

stint as a weapons system instructor in the Marines. “This is

something I can do a little bit, maybe help out a little bit and

enjoy.”