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Public Schoolchildren Improve Reading with Church Partners
Schoolchildren and their grandparents dotted the landscapes I traveled last Monday, a school holiday.
"I painted my fingernails bright red," one storyteller offered her apparent granddaughter, "because I used my hands so much when I taught, and my students paid much greater attention when my nails were red." This caused one of those head-thrown-back fits of laughter from the listener. And her clever grandmother's large, oversized glasses had the same spellbinding effect as her red nails.
Throughout our time within earshot, the elder found fun and relevant ways to compliment and teach her granddaughter. The ten-year-old paid close, relaxed attention.
Many want to mentor, and when offered judiciously and in good humor, children can receive the wisdom in the same spirit it's extended.
With this in mind for ministry, Spirit in the Hills Lutheran Church in Spicewood has grown grateful for the Central Texas church/public school partnership known as "Literacy Partners." The program operates through the nonprofit Education Connection who trains and pairs volunteers with children to improve each child's reading, and share brief moments of care.
The solution grew out of pastors meeting with superintendents from Central Texas school districts to discuss the biggest challenges facing their schools. Now 15 years later, more than 1,300 volunteers are reading with over 3,000 students across 16 school districts.
Each week, a volunteer spends 30 minutes reading with two elementary students, reading one-on-one for 15 minutes per child. The program scales well for congregations both large and small, and all feel blessed.
"The relationship that is built between student and volunteer is the best gift to all participants," says Lisa Baker, coordinator of the program for Spirit in the Hills.
"I went to an information meeting nine years ago, and loved the message/scope/heart of it," says Lisa. "A year later the volunteer coordinator there stepped away from that role and suggested me as her replacement... I said yes! and got the OK from our pastor."
"Reading is a most necessary skill in our world and can be such a joy. We read to learn and be informed as well as to imagine and 'see' new places/things; perhaps as real or fantastical experiences," she adds. "Watching students light up as they master new sounds or words or catch a joke/pun as we read together is amazing!
"Literacy Partners is a wonderful way to contribute to my community, through the gift of my time. Helping youth is so incredibly gratifying," she continues. "I love sharing my time reading with kiddos who are learning to read and/or struggling to read...I'm trusting the time spent helping these students will vastly improve their chances to become better learners and community members.
"My heart grows as I give my time to these students, my volunteers, and the teachers as well as other folks we interact with on campus. It feels meaningful."
--by Becky Rische
Future issues of this e-newsletter will curate stories about churches' effective efforts to study and address neighborhood needs through "holy curiosity." Send your ideas to info@swtsynod.org.
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