Detroit Reading Corps Needs YOU!

As a volunteer initative through my former employer, I chose to be a part of the Detroit Public School Reading Corps. For those unaware, the Detroit Reading Corps is the DPS initative to help kindergarten age children to read and correct the dismal test scores that made Detroit a national buzzword for failed public education.  I was spurred to action by the newspaper reports of the astonishingly low scores and the outrage the parents displayed.  

What an experience! The initial crop of tutors all met for an organized training session at Renaissance High School led by the DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb. To see people of all age and race coming together to be a positive part of a child's future was truly humbling. I had no idea that so many people were "all in" to make a difference in Detroit. We received our training packets, our first few lessons, and our school assignments. Leaving Renaissance High, I was bouncing around with excitement as well as questions: would I be an effective tutor? Would the children warm to me? Would I have any effect on their lives? Would they look forward to our tutoring sessions?  

My fear and nervousness was put to rest on the first day. I was assigned to Marquette Elementary here on the east side. I was welcomed with open arms and big smiles by both the staff and students. The kids I was charged with helping were nothing but bright eyed and eager to have extra time reading their favorite books and learning new words. I overcame my fear of being effective by just letting the kids read at their own pace and giving guidance where necessary. We had such a good time picking out books to read and writing letters and coloring. After my first visit, one of my students even drew me a picture that I still have on my refridgerator. Though the school year came to end after only 7 or 8 one hour sessions, I saw marked progress in my kids ability to read and write letters and numbers.  Despite being just a short one hour blip in these kids average day, the change I saw very encouraging! Talk about the satisfaction by seeing the results of your work...wow!

Sadly, I've had to since end my tutoring duties at Marquette with the adoption of my son.  I'm sad that I had to leave my kids, but excited for their future if this program ever acheives its worthy goals. Which I why I would recommend getting involved in the DPS Reading Corps if you have a couple of hours a day to spare.  No matter what I was going through that week at work or at home, seeing those kids faces light up when we started reading and writing changed my entire outlook and mood. What a great feeling it was to know I was making a small difference in the lives and futures of these kids, and by extension, the lives and futures of all of us in Metro Detroit.  So, go "all in" for the DPS Reading Corps...you won't regret it!