Volunteer With Heart: Cate Rogers

April 1, 2016

Cate Rogers has always considered math critically important. She spent more than 40 years in education starting as a secretary, then as a special education teacher, an elementary and middle school principal, a superintendent and then as a professor and graduate school dean. She worked tirelessly to help teachers overcome their own fears and biases in the teaching of math (and science, too) so they would be able to instill in their students a love of math. Cate tutors a third grader and a fourth grader each week at Piney Grove Elementary School through Heart Math Tutoring.

Why did you become a volunteer?
“After retiring, I wanted to be involved with children and their learning. My husband found this program and wanted to work with young children as well so we are doing this together. This is his first time tutoring and we are learning and growing together. Things change in education and it is important to keep up with the times. This program is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in helping a child improve his or her math skills.”

What its something you have in common with one of your students?
“The color purple! We both love it!”

What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer?
“Heart is a wonderful opportunity for someone who would like to make a difference in a child’s life. The program is well organized with extensive lesson plans. Seeing the gains made by the students is very rewarding. It’s only a few hours a week and it’s well worth your time and commitment. Give it a try!”

Cate’s students look forward to working with her each week. We can always count on her fourth grade student arriving early on Thursdays, eager to know if Cate is here for her tutoring session. Heart is fortunate and grateful that Cate and John Rogers have chosen to spend their time each week with the program at Piney Grove Elementary! The Rogers are new to North Carolina as of summer 2015, and we wish you a very warm welcome to Charlotte!

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