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BRIGHAM CITY -- How else would a career educator spend retirement? Teaching, of course!
Former State Superintendent Steve Laing used to oversee all Utah schools. Now he's enjoying retirement by tutoring students at his neighborhood school.
"It feels like the natural thing to do from the point of a career educator," he says.
Two days a week, Laing and his wife Debbie, along with a few dozen other tutors, work one on one with struggling readers at Foothill Elementary in Brigham City. Their involvement lends credibility to the belief that students can progress with plenty of practice.
"It's critically important that every student have the opportunity to be read to and to read to someone, and so many times that's not the case," said Laing.
I can see a lot of growth. It works like magic.
–Debbie Laing
Foothill is one of 72 Utah schools taking part in Read Today's Project Tutor. Community members tutor kids who could be their neighbors. The goal is to boost reading scores and build relationships. And though the Laing's know the research behind this tutoring model better than most, even they are impressed with how well it's working.
"There is growth. I can see a lot of growth," says Debbie Laing. "It works like magic. You just do it."
To thank participants, Chopper 5 landed for a recognition ceremony with students, educators, tutors, district and school board leaders. Clearly the community has rallied around the program.
Local business leaders from Big O Tires purchased and presented the Reader Reward -- $1,000 worth of books to support the program.
"We really push reading at home with our own children," said Big O representative Matt Krager. "So we know how important it is to read."
Colleague Aaron Walker added, "The more that you can be part of the community, the better off everybody else is. And reading is just the building block to start that."
Kids dove into a huge box of books placed near the podium, grabbing at the selection. It was a heartwarming sight for Principal Paulette Roberts.
"We use whatever it takes to make these kids feel confident about being readers," she said.
AmeriCorps coordinators manage the program. In a few weeks, they will conduct testing to determine progress throughout the program.
Laurie Maddock is confident students have progressed in reading. She also notices changes not apparent in test scores.
"I'm seeing great progress, not only academically, but socially," said Maddock. "We have several behavior students and we have no behavior problems in the program."
Every week, Chopper 5 delivers "Reader Rewards Driven by Big O Tires. To learn more about the program and Project Tutor, go to Readtoday.com.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com
