Letter: Reading tutors are vital

While students in our area are enjoying summer break, I’m thinking ahead to the start of the new school year. I’d love every student to have one-on-one support, but school districts simply don’t have the resources. Fortunately, Cloquet, Barnum and Carlton all have partners with a literacy program called Minnesota Reading Corps. It helps our students get ready for kindergarten and on track to be successful readers by the end of third grade. To help our students succeed, we’re looking for 12 new tutors for the 2019-20 school year to fill openings in Barnum, Wrenshall, East Central in Finlayson and Willow River.

You may be wondering if you can really make a difference — you can. Reading Corps works. Tutors support teachers by providing extra help and daily practice to students who need a boost. They work on specific interventions such as letter identification, letter sounds, reading fluency and comprehension. Students are monitored weekly to check their growth over time.

As a Reading Corps tutor through Carlton Community Education, I work with the students and what I see is amazing growth.

Reading Corps tutors are AmeriCorps members who give their time for the duration of a school year. In return, they receive a number of perks including a stipend every two weeks, up to an additional $4,200 for college tuition or student loans and an incredible sense of satisfaction. Many tutors also qualify for individual health insurance and child care assistance at no cost to them.

Tutors come from a variety of backgrounds: recent graduates, parents, retirees and veterans. What they have in common is a desire to help children succeed. I’d encourage anyone to consider becoming a tutor at a school near them. We’re recruiting tutors to begin in August; learn more by visiting readingandmath.net or calling 866-859-2825.