This local reading program has helped kids fall in love with books for over 30 years

When local students’ summer of fun ends, one nonprofit is looking to continue the joy with its reading program this school year.

Literacy Connects’ Reading Seed program has helped thousands of Tucson students find joy in reading over the last 30 years.

Now, the volunteer-based program is seeking 200 volunteers, known as reading coaches, for over 20 local schools this upcoming academic year.

Reading coaches have one-on-one sessions with three students in kindergarten through second grade for 30 minutes each, one day per week of the academic year.

But the coaches aren’t teaching the students how to read, they’re showing them that reading can be fun.

“It's neat to see that kids are recognizing that we're centering their interests,” said Dianette Placido, who is the director of the children's literacy program at Literacy Connects. “One child said, ‘I love my coach because they bring me books and smiles.’ It's just so pure and innocent. And it's nice to be part of that really early interest in reading and learning.”

During each 30-minute session, the volunteer's assigned student will choose from a selection of books that pique their interest from the Literacy Connects library — whether that’s learning about sea animals or keeping up with New York City’s favorite superhero, Spider-Man.

While the volunteers read the story, they encourage critical thinking by asking the students questions — What do you think will happen next? What do you think the characters could've done differently?

If the students feel confident enough, they can read along with their reading coach or give it a shot themselves. But there’s never any pressure for them to read aloud because the session is supposed to be a fun experience rather than a strenuous task.

Plus, students can take home a free book that they can enjoy, practice with and share with their family. Literacy Connects has also added more bilingual and multicultural books to their expansive library, according to Placido.

The one-on-one sessions can make a difference in students' academic and home lives, according to reading coach Linda Johnson, a retired social worker who began volunteering with the program three years ago after learning about it from a friend at church.

“We ask so much of our schools these days, including office staff and teachers and health aides,” Johnson said. “Schools have to be everything to so many kids because the need is so great and a lot of these students don't have the resources at home. And parents definitely want to be there for their kids, but quite often, with their job situation being what it is, they come home exhausted at the end of the day and maybe they just can't muster up that energy.

“And so that's part of what it is — it's offering kids a thoroughly enjoyable experience because we do seek to make it fun for the kids, but it's also just supplementing their lives. It's one more adult person saying to the child, ‘Hey, you are so incredible. I'm going to spend my time just with you, not with a group of kids, but just with you. And here are books I picked out just for you.’ Aside from our presence or that type of thing, who else does that for kids?”

One of Johnson’s favorite parts of working with kids is seeing their confidence grow, not only with reading but in general, and watching as they become successful in school. She also enjoys doing extra activities with her assigned students such as making cards for holidays and creating crafty items like beaded bracelets.

“It's just a wonderful example of a community coming together to accomplish something good and important, and it's inspirational to work with these people, to work with these children,” she said. “And I'll tell you, I admire these teachers so much. ... They're just so positive, encouraging and energetic, and I just feel like it's important (because) they're in such tough positions these days and it's just important for all of us to give them their support and their respect as they're doing a very tough job that they love. This is one thing that we as a community can do to help them and, in turn, that also helps the kids.”

While reading comprehension scores aren’t the exact goal of Reading Seed, Placido says they look at standardized test scores to see how the program impacts students on paper.

“We see growth in these children and their actual literacy skills, comprehension, fluency, those types of skills, even though that isn't the direct goal of the program,” she said. “And then the feedback from teachers is really, really interesting to read. Every time we collect their responses, they say not only are they (the kids) excited about reading during our reading block, but (teachers) can also see (students') skills transferring in other areas and their excitement, engagement and learning in other areas. Because as they're gaining skills and competence in reading, that's really transferring over because literacy is the foundation for all future learning.”

Those interested in volunteering with Reading Seed can fill out an online form and attend an information session with Literacy Connects. Reading coaches are required to undergo a background check and get fingerprinted through their designated school district. After that, coaches go through a training period. Those who complete training soon will be able to start coaching by September.

“I think, ultimately, we have a lot of really generous folks that want to give their time to something that will have a lasting impact,” Placido said. “Starting so early with young children, young learners, and helping them get that little spark about gaining information from text is going to stay with them for a really, really long time.”