April 2, 2020
Tutors remain committed to young readers from a distance
While sessions are postponed and schools are closed, our volunteers remain committed as ever to their young readers. Our community engagement team recently called each of our 900+ volunteers to check in on their well-being and collect their heartfelt thoughts during this unplanned hiatus.
Tutors’ hope and dedication serve as a bright spot and reinforce the strength of our community. Here are some of the thoughts and feelings our volunteers shared with us.
“The [Reading Partners] program gives us all a community. The people that have had this experience with Reading Partners have a ‘we can do this’ attitude, and for that I think we will get through.”
“I love what Reading Partners does and I am committed to helping you recruit in my new neighborhood in the fall.”
“I will never forget the moment that my student discovered his ability to read! The light went off, he sat up a little straighter and expressed a desire to do all of the reading for the remainder of our session.”
“I miss my student and volunteering each week. I plan to donate a backpack to continue to support her learning.”
“Whatever you need, count on me!”
“[I] miss my student so much. It has been a wonderful experience – everything I thought it would be. [I] can’t wait to get back into the classroom.”
“My student is now much more of an independent reader after completing the AR2 word analysis parts of the lesson.”
“I am missing my student greatly, and wondering how he is doing [at] this time. I am mourning the whole semester but especially the books we left unfinished.”
“I’m honored to be able to serve my community through the Reading Partners program. The one-on-one time with my student is very special and I can’t wait to get back into the classroom.”
Tutors are also going above and beyond during their time at home. One Frierson Elementary volunteer is looking for great books with multicultural characters to add to their reading center’s Read Aloud Library. Another Mitchell Elementary volunteer has written notes to her student to be delivered when schools are reopened. Our tutors serve as a reminder that the relationships built during Reading Partners extend beyond the classroom, providing both students and volunteers hope through challenging times.
