After teaching for over 25 years and being a school principal for nearly ten, Barbara is no stranger to working with students. In fact, she advocated for individualized reading instruction and helped develop reading curriculum during her career! When she retired in 2020, she wasn’t quite ready to leave education entirely, so she taught online a bit before finding Reading Corps. Excited at the opportunity to get back to working one-on-one with students, she became a Reading Tutor last year and has been “thoroughly impressed” by the experience.
We spoke with Barb about her perspective as an educator and as a tutor. Read to learn all about her background and how she’s continuing to pursue her passion for evidence-based tutoring with Reading Corps!
How did you get involved with Reading Corps?
As a retiree seeking ways to give back to the community, I came across a Reading Tutor job posting on Indeed.com. My background as a former principal and director of instruction equipped me with knowledge about effective reading instruction and progress monitoring systems. However, I had never personally implemented these interventions. Becoming a reading tutor allowed me to put theory into practice and witness the positive impact on students.
As a past principal, how do you think Reading Corps supports schools?
I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the training, interventions, data collection, and decision-making processes employed by Reading Corps. I value the dual coaching structure, with both an coaching specialist from Reading Corps and an internal coach within the school. Reflecting on my tenure as a principal, I wish Reading Corps had been available— I would have eagerly welcomed a Reading Corps tutor into my school. The fact that this high-quality service is offered at no cost to schools continues to amaze me.
As someone with a background in reading instruction, what makes Reading Corps special?
What sets Reading Corps apart is its evidence-based reading approaches, specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of each learner. Students become actively engaged and make consistent progress by offering 20 minutes of focused reading instruction daily. My students have shared that attending tutoring sessions made reading enjoyable for them. They felt a sense of importance and excitement as they witnessed their growth. I often liken our work to honing the skills needed for reading in the classroom, much like a basketball player practices drills in preparation for the big game.
What’s a part of your day do you really look forward to?
The highlight of my day is working with the students. Their enthusiasm is contagious, whether we’re practicing letter sounds, blending words, or working on fluency. I eagerly anticipate the excitement on their faces when I arrive to pick them up. These kids make me feel like a rockstar!
After all your years in the school system and developing reading curriculum, have you learned anything new since you started tutoring?
Every student is unique, and I continually learn something new by working with each individual. I enjoy discovering their interests and making them feel valued for who they are. Additionally, I’ve learned the importance of adhering to the intervention scripts. Whenever I felt concerned about a student’s slow progress or waning engagement, I revisited the intervention script or re-watched the training video. Invariably, I would uncover a detail I had missed initially, apply it faithfully, and witness the positive changes I was seeking.
What’s something you’d like to tell other retired people who are looking for a way to give back?
If you’re retired and seeking a way to give back, consider joining Reading Corps. Being a Reading Tutor offers the best part of education: working directly with students and witnessing their growth, free from the distractions that sometimes accompany a teaching career. Each morning, I wake up with a sense of purpose. Tutoring keeps my mind and body active, allowing me to put my skills to good use. The teachers express immense gratitude when they witness the positive impact tutoring has on their students. I cherish the connections I make with both students and fellow educators, knowing that I’m making a real difference. What greater gift is there than helping a child learn to read and thrive in their educational journey? Reading Tutors truly change lives.
You can help more students succeed through reading! Learn more and find positions in your community at join.readingandmath.org. Or if you’re a principal interested in bringing high-impact tutoring to your school, partner with us by visiting readingandmath.org/get-involved/schools.