Walking through the doors of The Literacy Center, you are instantly attracted to the wall of windows allowing the sunlight to illuminate the room. The first sight is the many students, some sitting at tables, some walking around, and others waiting eagerly in line to claim a student.
Then you listen closely to all that is going on. Student tutors are talking to their tutees about a piece of work they brought in that they need help on. The Literacy Center offers expertise in all subjects: English, history, math, science, languages, writing, and anything else a student may need help with.
This year, there is a new face in the Lit Center: John Przekota, the assistant director of humanities, who has replaced Andrew Jeter as the Lit Center director.
Before becoming director of the Lit Center, Pzrekota taught students for 12 years in three different schools, with Niles West being his fourth.
“I spent my first seven years at St. Patrick’s High School in Chicago,” Pzrekota said. “I then spent two years in two different Chicago Public Schools. This will be my third year here at Niles West where I have taught Global Studies and ALCUSH. I still teach ALCUSH first and second period,” he explained. “Periods three through nine I spend down in The Lit Center.”
With almost 200 student tutors, Pzrekota says the hardest part of his job is learning everyone’s names.
“Jeter knew everyone,” Przekota said. “I am just learning the names of all the tutors, and it may take a little while before I can get them all right.”
There are not many changes in The Lit Center except for different tutors and what they are able to bring to the table. This year, there are a few new interactive activities that are taking place.
“This year we have tutor leaders who basically work with Mr. Pzrekota to make sure that things are running smoothly,” senior tutor Julia O’Neil said.
“We tried something new called speed tutoring,” senior tutor Susie Lee said. “It’s almost like speed dating, but it’s a way for tutors and tutees to get to know each other.”
This year, 13 tutor leaders will be attending and presenting at The National Conference on Peer Tutoring and Writing in Tampa, Florida Nov. 1-3. These students will prepare a presentation on what they do here in The Lit Center. It is a conference where different schools are represented by a few select students to share thoughts and ideas.
If asked who else could be the face of the Lit Center, most students would answer with Kelly Adamovic. Adamovic sits at the desk and greets everyone that walks through the doors with a friendly smile.
“It was really good to have the summer to start working on things with Przekota because it gave me a head start at getting to know what things he will be doing the same or differently,” she said. “He definitely has many good things he wants to add into The Lit Center community.”
The Lit Center is constantly growing. Students from all grades find it a resourceful place where they are able to get help from their fellow classmates.
“Students who are thinking about coming into The Lit Center but are hesitant should just do it,” Pzrekota said. “Don’t be afraid, I promise you will find the experience amazing.”
Przekota’s advice to students: “come early and come often. We are always here to help you out in every way we can.”
Besides finding Przekota at his desk in The Lit Center or teaching his ALCUSH class, you will find him on the pool deck. Przekota is the boys’ head water polo coach, and also coached swimming last year.
