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Troy University senior Emily Ward of Springfield is the Troy Public Library’s 2019 Tutor of the Year.

Shanlie Wolter, TPL children’s librarian, presented a plaque to Ward on Thursday in recognition of her dedicated and valued community service and in celebration of her contributions to the library’s tutor program.

“Emily is an outstanding young woman, an outstanding student and a dedicated tutor,” Wolter said. “I’ve said often that I wish I could grow up and be like Emily Ward.”

Ward expressed appreciation for the recognition.

“I didn’t expect any recognition,” Ward said and added with a smile, “to me, being a tutor is an opportunity to hang out with kids and do fractions.”

Ward joined the library’s tutoring program in August and tutors two students.

“We work on whatever is giving them difficulty in school during that particular week,” she said. “Some days, we work on math, other days it might be reading or vocabulary. I enjoy every day because I need a daily dose of kids. It’s a nice break from the academic world.”

However, Ward’s future plans include yet a number of years in the academic world.

She is currently studying Biomedical Science at Troy University and will enter medical school at UAB following graduation in August. She is looking forward to six more years of study and training before she achieves her career goal, either in family medicine or as an emergency room physician.

Her motivation and inspiration to become a doctor was through her dad, a Birmingham fire fighter and paramedic.

“I’ve always been goal focused,” Ward said. “I got it and I’ve kept it. I want to be a doctor. It will be six more years before I can say that I’m a doctor. But, even then, it will be a life-long learning experience. I’m looking forward to it all because the medical field includes everything I like.”

Wolter said the Troy Public Library’s tutor program was started more than 10 years ago by TPL staffer Teresa Colvin, who was, at the time and during those years, the children’s librarian. The program has provided opportunities for university students to work one-on-one with children and for children to receive the help they need to be successful in the classroom.

Anyone with questions about the TPL tutor program and student enrollment are encouraged to call Wolter at the TPL 334-566-1314.