The Gift of Reading
In a borrowed room at a local school, Miss Kendra waits for her student. There’s a bean bag chair to sit on, a trampoline to bounce on, and supplies set out for writing or drawing. Venus* enters the room and smiles. She and Miss Kendra have been working together for years.
Kendra leads Urban Ventures’ Reading Plus, a program that provides intensive literacy intervention for students who are behind grade level in reading. With over 80% of low-income students in Minneapolis measuring below proficiency, there is a great need for tutors like Kendra and her team.
The reading never starts right away. Part of the success of Reading Plus is the rapport that the teachers build with their students. Trust is an important part of working together, especially when the work is around something the student finds extra challenging.
The intentional time at the beginning is effective. Even Venus notices it, “We play games and I can draw, and then we take a break and we just read. I kind of relax after playing and stuff.”
Venus was recently diagnosed with dyslexia. An official assessment can cost thousands of dollars, so learning difficulties often go undiagnosed. Through Reading Plus, a referral for an assessment was given, and with it, a diagnosis received.
“Do you remember when we learned about your dyslexia?” Kendra asks. The “we” is more than just inclusive; it was Kendra that shared the diagnosis with Venus. When it was time to explain the diagnosis, Kendra brought pictures of famous people who also had learning differences. Among them were Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Robin Williams, and Octavia Spencer. Even Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland, received a diagnosis as a child.
Venus was surprised, “I was like, whoa, all these famous people have dyslexia? It really helped me realize that I wasn’t stupid, it’s just that I learn in a different way.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Kendra adds, “In fact, people who have dyslexia have to work really hard. Then they take the ability to work really hard into other parts of their life. You’re a hard worker.” Venus looks at the floor, but she smiles.
The four years of working together have included many forms of connection. During the pandemic, lessons took place over Zoom, or sometimes sitting on yoga mats in the front yard. Kendra has worked with Venus through changes in school, in living situations, and through other significant life challenges. Kendra has remained a constant during the ups and downs of life, and the relationship shows it.
“I want you to follow me around,” Venus tells Kendra when asked about the years ahead. Getting to work with the same students year after year is one of the great benefits of the Reading Plus program. And it allows teachers in the program to measure success more closely.
Reading Plus uses the Orton-Gillingham approach to develop reading ability. When Venus began in the program, she had to sound out each word. In her time with Kendra, she has caught up to grade level in reading and has doubled her spelling ability.
Venus can tell she is improving, pointing out “Now I know how to read words without stopping for every single word. Now it’s only the big words.”
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Programs like Reading Plus, and connections like Kendra and Venus, are only possible when you support the work of Urban Ventures. This season, Urban Ventures hopes to raise $1 Million to continue the fight against learning loss.
With your support, we can increase the number of students we serve. Your gift can help teachers like Kendra connect with even more students, getting them the support they need and deserve. Donate today.
