What Kids, Tutors, Teachers, and Parents Say

Tutees' comments:

How do you know you're a better reader?

• "I know more words on spelling tests."
• "I can read a little faster and understand more words."
• "I can read harder books now."
• "Because it's easier for me to read now."

Would you like to do this again next year?

• "Yes, because it was fun and I learned a lot."
• "Yes, it will make me a better reader."
• "Yes, with Laura, 'cause she's the best tutor in the whole wide world!"

What are some things you did that made you proud?

• "Writing my last name."
• "Reading really hard books."
• "When I could read a Sunshine books all by myself and read it to Carrie."
• "When I beat my tutor in a game."

Teachers' comments:

• "Aislyn is very interested in books and having the tutors read and help with skills has increased her interest even more."
• "The students benefited from consistent ongoing individual help. I saw growth in fluency and comprehension."
• "Michelle was able to get Hayes excited about reading this year. He enjoyed having the one-on-one instruction for an extended period if time, and the benefits were obvious. He anxiously awaited her arrival for each of their sessions and was enthusiastic when sharing the writings and books that he'd made. I noticed his confidence increase when reading with small groups of students. Hayes now views himself as a reader."
• "Dillion has difficulty in articulating many sounds which affted his reading and writing and therefore often frustrated him. (But) he began to volunteer to read in his group, even though a challenge at times, which meant that his confidence had increased."
• "Besides spending time on literacy skills and reading to children, it is nice to see a relationship develop between the tutor and tutee. The children love to go to their sessions."
• "Mashari talks about going to her tutors often. She thrives on the one-on-one help."
• "There is a lot of good energy from these students (the tutors) and a lot of enthusiasm."
• "My tutor goes beyond his duties, both in the room and has been involved in activities after his time and on days that he isn't scheduled. This is more than just a job, it's a desire for their love of the job."
• "Cierra has always been very excited about seeing her tutor. She talks about some of the activities that she does and she seems to really enjoy the one-on-one relationship she has with her tutor."
• "Phil was an excellent tutor for Anthony. Anthony is a quiet boy and Phil helped to build Anthony's confidence. Anthony would show me his activities that he and Phil worked on with great pride."
• "Heather helped Kacie become a reader!"

Tutors' comments:

• "Teaching and working with children requires a lot of patience and the ability to motivate the students so they want to learn."
• "More important than following any lesson plan is communicating with the children and forming a relationship. -- I gained a lot of respect for the teachers who work with these kids every day -- all day."
• "There is no such thing as a dumb kids, just the inability of those around to nurture the child's potential."
• "It is difficult to learn to read and it can only work with teachers and parents working together."
• "I have decided to direct my career toward children and schools."
• "I have a great deal more admiration for teachers."
• "I learned that children help you when you think you are helping them."
• "Given the right environment, kids are really excited to learn."
• "Teaching is hard work, but I still want to do it."
• "It takes a lot of creativity and energy to teach."
• "Teaching is an important profession."
• "Every child deserves more than the best society can offer."
• "I can see the impact I have on the kids. They have definitely progressed since last year and that makes me feel good. This is also the only job I had at U of M that provides beneficial training. The pay is also great."
• "Very challenging, frustrating, draining, and rewarding."
• "This program provided me with one of my first long term commitment (service-wise) that I have loved, in a long while!"
• "I leave work feeling ten times better than when I came!"
• "My kids look forward to it each time, so you know something is being done right!"
• "I would carry their smiles from reading books they enjoy and their anecdotes around with me all day in my pocket."

Parents' comments:

• "All Rachel wanted this year was to read and she is very successfully! Thanks to everyone reading is a great enjoyment of hers." (from a parent who works with 6th graders with special needs).
• "Molly loves to read and she always looks forward to her sessions with Rebecca."
• "John has a good reading tutor and a friend in John" (the tutor).
• "Damarcus comes home and tries to read books now. Never before."
• "Darius enjoys the reading program very much. He prefers to see [the tutors] than to play with the other children."
• "India's writing skills greatly improved with each time she worked with Ebbin. Her confidence and method of approaching reading and writing have also significantly improved. My guess is that the one-on-one approach has been a major factor in her academic development. By the way, India loves Ebbin."