It takes a village to learn: My tutoring story

By Susan Leonard, volunteer tutor with Reading Partners Tulsa

When I retired, I found myself with more time and wanted to use it meaningfully. I was deeply concerned about reading test scores in my community, so I joined Reading Partners to help kids get the one-on-one practice they need.

It didn’t take long to realize just how much support these students require—especially in a world where screens have largely replaced books. Every child is different in how they focus, learn, and engage, and I’ve found that staying with the same student all year makes a real difference. It allows me to not only help improve their reading skills but also boost their confidence and, hopefully, foster a love of reading.

One of the biggest challenges is focus. Depending on the time of day, how tired or hungry they are, or just what’s on their mind, students can struggle to stay engaged. Many want to share their personal stories before diving into a lesson, and sometimes, the best thing to do is simply listen before gently steering them back to reading.

Through this experience, I’ve come to appreciate just how much it truly takes a village to help a child learn. Every session is a small step toward a brighter future—for them and for our entire community.