10 Years of Reading Success: Clark Elementary
In 2010, United Way of Lake County developed the Reading Success program to help local students build literacy skills to ensure they can read at grade level by the end of the third grade. Reading Success targets first through third-grade students testing in the 20% – 40% in their class for reading and comprehension. Research shows that most students who are not proficient readers by the fourth grade will continue to remain behind throughout their educational careers. United Way brings trained volunteer reading tutors into Waukegan Public Schools weekly to tutor students, giving them individualized help to develop reading skills and improve performance. Over the last ten years, Reading Success has seen incredible results! First graders who received Reading Success tutors had improvement rates averaging 38% higher than their non-tutored peers at the same reading level!
To celebrate the success of our program over the last decade, we interviewed three advocates from Clark Elementary School in Waukegan, the most recent school to participate in Reading Success.
Teresa Hatten, Volunteer Tutor
What motivated you to become a Reading Success tutor?
Upon retirement and completing a 33-year career working in a corporate environment, I was very interested in spending my free time giving back and helping others. I had received a lot of support from mentors growing up during my schooling and working years that helped me to be more confident and successful. I wanted to do the same for others. I learned of the Reading Success program as I retired from Baxter Healthcare and thought it would be a great opportunity. I had always been interested in teaching as a secondary career, and knew I would enjoy working with elementary school students and find it very rewarding.
What are some of the most memorable experiences you have had with students?
There have been so many rewarding and memorable experiences over the last eight plus years I have been involved. One that stands out is the year I was working with two students in the third grade where I had them keep a journal of index cards summarizing the stories we read and reviewed over the full year. At the year’s end, the two students and I created a presentation for the whole class highlighting the key points of interest for them from these stories. Both students surprised me and the teacher by how excited and well done their presentations were. It displayed how much they learned and remembered from our time together. The whole class prepared “thank you” cards for me and the students. Both students took their book of index cards home to share with their families.
The second experience was two students from a second grade class that were quite below reading level for their grade. Both were at kindergarten or low first grade levels. Working one-on-one with each of them on letter recognition, flashcards, and entry-level reading, we saw significant progress over the year. By the end of the year, the teacher had shown me their progress reports, and both were at and within the second-grade reading levels. They both showed a lot more confidence by the end of the year, which was a very rewarding experience.
Why do you think other people should become involved with this program?
Through my experiences, I would share that United Way’s Reading Success program is a tremendous way to donate your time and energy, which both benefits our younger generation of students as well as yourself. The students seem to benefit significantly from the one-on-one attention, which helps support the teachers that have a number of students in their classrooms. Supporting this program helps the confidence and positive learning experiences of our children and, in turn, the community. The time you invest is minimal compared to the benefits you give and those you personally gain.
Ms. Vick, Second Grade Teacher at Clark Elementary
How does Reading Success help you in your role as a teacher?
The Reading Success program brings confidence and encouragement to my students who work with the tutor. The two students who have worked with the tutor have shown an increase in their comprehension and fluency abilities. As a teacher, I appreciate the one-on-one time these boys receive each week and having Mrs. Hatten here helps me to know they are receiving quality instruction and support.
How has Reading Success helped your students? What changes have you seen for students who take part in the program?
I have seen real success with one of the students who works with Mrs. Hatten. This student went up 5 reading levels based on the TRC assessment that is given to students 3 times a year. His MAP reading score also increased 10 RIT points, which has moved him closer to his end of the year goal.
Do you have specific stories/examples of how Reading Success has benefited your students?
The student’s confidence in class discussions and in answering questions has really been a shining light this school year!
Melissa Pankiewicz, Reading Support Specialist at Clark Elementary, Former Classroom Teacher
What value does Reading Success bring to your classroom? How does the program help you in your role as a teacher?
The Reading Success program helped me immensely when I was a classroom teacher. I was able to assign students to my tutor who needed a little bit more than just my regular Guided Reading sessions. These students were given the opportunity to not only read with an adult but they also (in many cases) built a bond that they otherwise might not have.
How has Reading Success helped your students? What changes have you seen for students who take part in the program?
Students that I have had in this program have shown to enjoy and look forward to their weekly “meetings” with their tutors. I have seen growth in their reading/fluency skills, and a greater desire to pick up a book to read “just for fun.”
To support more of United Way of Lake County’s education programs, like Reading Success, visit www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/give.
