This story was published originally by ServeMinnesota.
When Daniel Winker’s test scores made it clear that the Burnsville fifth-grader was struggling with math last year, his mom, Talitha, didn’t waste a moment. “I was concerned that he’d fall farther behind and get further disconnected,” she said. “The pandemic meant that he’d miss the face-to-face assistance he was used to receiving.”
This story was published originally by ServeMinnesota.
Four years ago, school leaders and community partners at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School in North Minneapolis decided to take a new approach to boosting student achievement.
Susan Smith-Grier had been working as a freelance writer and copywriter when she joined Reading Corps in 2016. It was primarily her love of books and writing that drew her to the program. But she also was intrigued by the mission and wanted a chance to work with kids.
As a recent graduate with a degree in neuroscience, Maeghan Sullivan entered the workforce during a global pandemic and economic downturn. Serving with Reading Corps has enabled Maeghan to pivot with purpose.
We’re excited to share we’ve partnered with ServeMinnesota to launch a new initiative to help more kids build their skills and confidence! Scholar Squad offers one-on-one, online tutoring for Minnesota students in PreK-8th grade.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the school year, Reading and Math Corps tutors are needed more than ever to support our students. Kim Nelson, a reading tutor at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary in Grand Marais, is an example of one tutor working to change the lives of the students she works with. “Kim adds so much as a tutor,” says principal Megan Myers. “We’re so thankful to have her!”
Before becoming a tutor in October 2019, Kim’s own life was changed by cancer and autoimmune disease diagnosis a few years prior. After multiple battles overcoming what doctors said was a 38% chance to live, Kim returned to the professional world and eventually found out about the opportunity to tutor in Grand Marais through a Facebook ad.
With COVID-19 continuing to be a threat to public health and safety, AmeriCorps is stepping up to help slow the spread with a new case investigator/contact tracer position this September. “To slow the spread of COVID-19, we need to follow where the virus may be spreading in our communities,” says Sadie O’Connor, managing director of Reading & Math, Inc. “Case investigation and contact tracing is essential because it helps to quickly identify people who should stay home and away from others.”
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