Why I’m a Freedom Readers Tutor

By Carolyn Jacobs

Whether you are celebrating or mourning the results of our recent presidential election,  I hope we can all agree that national reading test scores are atrocious and whether it’s the fault of social media, The Reading Wars, ill-informed instruction, disparate school funding, parenting stress, climate change, COVID, etc., there is a desperate need for supporting young struggling readers beyond their time in the classroom. Particularly low-income students. And we can’t wait for our government to fix the problem, regardless of which political party is in control. They’ve tried and failed miserably.

I am a volunteer literacy tutor in part because I believe the research. Almost 70% of low-income students are not proficient in reading and a “failure to read proficiently is linked to higher rates of school dropout and incarceration.” The more honest reasons for my tutoring are much more personal.  Several years ago, after my family experienced a profound tragedy, I became an adult literacy tutor in part as a way of healing. I worked with a 59-year-old retired firefighter whom the public school system had failed.  He received a high school diploma but couldn’t read. In retirement, he courageously showed up at the door of an adult literacy office and admitted he needed help.

As I approached retirement last year, I reflected on various jobs and volunteer activities that gave me the most pleasure.  It was no contest.  In retirement, I wanted to read more and help others read.  And, I wanted to work with children and perhaps help a child or two not become one of those dismal statistics.

From the Desk of the FR National Director

As I reflect on my first year of taking the Freedom Readers mission to a larger geographical area, my heart is filled with joy. It has been a tremendous pleasure and privilege to connect with people who share our desire to make the magic of reading more accessible to more young people, especially those living in low-income areas. You just read the first installment of Carolyn Jacobs’ new column, Why I’m a Freedom Readers Tutor.  Carolyn is one of the people I’ve met along the way whose passion for books has inspired me to grow the organization I first envisioned almost 15 years ago.

Carolyn is one of our first long term tutors living outside the state where Freedom Readers began, South Carolina. The Reading Lab allows tutors to join us from anywhere in the country. All that’s needed is a computer and access to Google Classroom. A  very simple online training program along with the support of the Freedom Readers staff make participating as a tutor an easy lift. You need only fill out a volunteer application to get the ball rolling.

Carolyn has spent about two hours each week working in The Reading Lab. She’s been paired with two students and has scheduled meetings that might last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour each week. Scheduling is a breeze since tutors and the families of scholars begin the session by agreeing on a weekly meeting time that’s convenient for all.

I’m pleased to share that Carolyn has accomplished all this from the comfort of her home in Rhode Island. The experience has been so rewarding that together we’re reaching out to potential tutors in more states. At this writing, several tutors are ready to engage at the start of our next session. The great states of Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Colorado are all represented.

I’d love to talk with you about being a tutor with The Reading Lab, regardless of where you live. It’s hard to express the impact you can make in the life of a child in just one hour per week or less. As Carolyn shared in her post, the National Assessment of Educational Progress has pointed out the disparity in reading between learners in low-income communities and their more affluent peers. You can help us bring new scholars into our program who will not only receive personalized reading help from you, but books in the mail from our office, and the chance to  improve their writing skills by exchanging letters with you throughout the session.

You don’t need to have a background in formal education. All you need is a love of books and desire to assist a child as she takes the first steps toward achieving her dreams.

Apply to be a volunteer tutor!

Thanks in advance and Happy Holidays!

Tracy S. Bailey, PhD

National Director