Western Courier

Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Adam Sacasa Dr. H. Jon Jones, professor and Reading Center Director in the department of curriculum and instruction, and Kayla Murphy, second-year graduate student and on-site coordinator of Calvary Baptist and St. Paul Elememtary schools, organize assignments for selected tutors.

Difficulties with reading burden many elementary school children, but with the dedication of programs like America Reads, young people from local Macomb schools benefit from Western Illinois University's abundance of generous tutors.

Western students who participate in the America Reads program work with children from Lincoln Elementary, Edison School, St. Paul Elementary School and Calvary Baptist Christian ACAD. Undergraduate tutors travel to the schools, and a supervisor assigns them to children who need help. Tutors instruct any students present.

Applying to be a tutor is not complicated. Those who want to get involved first fill out an application indicating their interest. Once selected, they attend mandatory training sessions with the supervisors of the program to learn what is expected of them.

Alicia Pachla, one of the on-site coordinators for America Reads and first-year Western graduate student, has worked with students from Lincoln and said she enjoys the vivacious attitudes of the kids.

"Some of the kids are ecstatic to see you, and we develop great relationships with them," Pachla said.

Pachla added she loves working with kids, and being involved in America Reads is a great way to gain experience.

"Such experience can help a future teacher be more effective when he or she actually begins his or her teaching career," said Jon Jones, Western Reading Center Director.

According to Jones, the tutoring experience is equally beneficial to the tutor and student, and he strongly encourages parents of any child suffering in the area of reading to participate.

"The education majors gain valuable experience in teaching and working with (grade) school students," Jones said. "The students receive individualized reading assistance and attention that can have a very positive effect on their reading and learning."

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