THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412140158
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, Tab Reese was driving past a school when he spied two neighborhood boys throwing rocks at the windows. And to make matters worse, they were dressed in Boy Scout uniforms.
``Those kids didn't know what scouting was all about,'' said 31-year-old Reese, a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout. ``They were supposed to be at a Scout meeting and I talked to them about the importance of being there.''
Reese's first successful counseling experience encouraged him to volunteer to help ``at-risk'' students at John Yeates Middle School two years ago.
The manager of Pick N Pay at the Suffolk Shopping Center, Reese was in an office paying his car insurance when he overheard Betty Swain, the principal of John Yeates, talking about students who needed help.
``I told her I had helped with the Boy Scouts,'' Reese said, ``and I volunteered to help at the school. I've never had any training . . . I teach from the heart. There are some things a book can never teach you.''
Convinced that Reese would be an excellent role model for the students, Swain agreed to the idea.
In the beginning, Reese met with Swain and the teachers individually, who recommend students for counseling. So far, Reese has dealt with boys only.
``There's a mixture of behavior problems and academic problems and the students need guidance,'' he said. ``The teachers tell me every detail of what they're doing, so I can add to that. We give each other feedback.''
Reese arrives at the school at 7:30 a.m., meets with the students, and leaves in time to open the doors of Pick N Pay at 10 a.m. He is always dressed in a suit and tie.
``A suit and tie is a perfect example of what it's like in the real world,'' he said. ``Jeans and a T-shirt don't make it. A suit is professional and you can be professional at any age.''
Reese always accentuates the positive and gives motivational talks. His topics cover improving academic performance, working on acceptable conduct, and getting along with peers and teachers. And he often uses role models during his presentation.
``I had three guys who were terrible and I've seen a great change,'' Reese said. ``I bring them in on every session now because they're my role models.''
Originally, Reese planned to visit the school once a month, but now meets with the students once or twice a week.
`` I meet with the kids in the conference room or library depending on how tough I want to be.'' he said. It's the conference room when I want to get loud.''
Occasionally, Reese has one-on-one sessions with a student. He begins by asking the student what he's done wrong, why, and what he thinks he can do to improve his behavior.
``I go with the worst one first and he's usually sitting in the office waiting for me,'' Reese said. ``The kids are confused because they don't know what I'm going to do or say. I want them to feel at ease. I want them to know I'm not there as an officer, teacher, or bad guy. I want to be their friend.''
In addition to his counseling sessions, Reese will begin tutoring math students at John Yeates in the next few weeks.
A native of Newark, N.J., Reese moved to Franklin at 8 and graduated from Franklin High School. He has been an E-4 specialist in the Army Reserve for seven years.
Reese's first part-time job was at the Russell & Holmes shoe store in Franklin. Later, he was transferred to the Suffolk location and remained there until 1991 when he was hired as manager of Pick N Pay, which he says has been supportive of both his efforts at John Yeates and his military obligations.
Reese, whose hobby is roller skating, also worked part-time as a deejay and floor attendant for eight years at the Isle of Wight-Franklin Skating Rink. Now he transports his own equipment and works as an independent deejay at private, school, and alumni parties.
A member of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Reese credits his parents for his success.
``My dad was my leader,'' Reese said. ``He has always been one who wanted to see a kid grow up to be what he wanted to be. The major issue is to stay focused. When you can control yourself, everything around you will fall in place.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Tab Reese, manager of Pick N Pay at the Suffolk Shopping Center,
volunteered to help at-risk students at John Yeates Middle School.
``I've never had any training . . . I teach from the heart,'' said
Reese. ``There are some things a book can never teach you.''
by CNB