July 29, 2015

“I actually like to learn,” says Luis

We know some students struggle to learn in traditional classroom environments, and fourth grader Luis was one of those students. He was consistently sent to the principal’s office for disruptive behavior and Luis had developed a negative reputation among his teachers. By the time he started Reading Partners he had lost much of his confidence in learning. But, it didn’t take long for Luis to form a different reputation at Reading Partners.

At Reading Partners, Luis was an engaged student and active listener. He loved coming to the reading center twice a week to work with his reading partner, and he steadily became a more proficient and voracious reader. He quickly made connections to the text and showed he was a bright student with big ideas.

Luis thrived with individual attention and targeted lessons. This is one of the key areas that sets Reading Partners apart. One-on-one time with a consistent and supportive tutor provides students with an opportunity to experience education in a new light.

At his final session Luis announced that he had changed his mind about something. He told his tutor, “I actually like to learn.” She asked him what had changed his mind. He replied, “Being here. I will miss coming here.”

Although fourth grade was a challenging year for Luis, with the right support he was able to shift to a more positive educational experience. He also made tremendous strides in his reading skills. Having started the program reading a full year behind grade level, Luis ended the year nearly caught up to his peers in reading achievement. This is thanks to his hard work and perseverance, and the opportunity Reading Partners gives students to learn at their own pace in a safe and supportive environment.