Volunteer Spotlight: Doug

How long have you been involved with The Literacy Alliance?

Just finishing up my second year.

How did you come to be a volunteer?

My daughter-in-law Anna, a former ELL teacher, talked to me about tutoring. I had just recently retired and thought that if I could help a little kid improve their reading skills, that would be great.

What has been the most meaningful or rewarding part of your experience so far?

I enjoy working with my student and helping him grow as a reader. He’s starting to catch himself and notice his own progress, which is really rewarding. And then there is game time, which is always fun.

Is there a particular moment, student, or experience that has stayed with you?

With my current student, he didn’t like to read, didn’t want anything to do with it. It was a confidence thing. Then he created a game and started keeping score: if he read a paragraph without a mistake, he would get a point; if he got a word wrong, I got a point. Then one day, it was time to stop reading and switch to game time, but he wanted to keep reading.

What have you learned about yourself or others through your time with TLA?

I know there are many qualified individuals, but I also recognize the difference I can make. I have a great respect for teachers and the way they support and guide students. I’ve learned a great deal from my fellow volunteers, especially those who are former teachers.

If you were encouraging someone to get involved—whether as a volunteer or board member—what would you say?

I would tell them there are so many students we may not realize are struggling with reading, and if someone like me, a non-teacher, can make a difference, so can they. The kids genuinely enjoy that dedicated time each week and having someone there just for them. Someone is focusing on them once a week.

What is a favorite book you would recommend to others, and why?

There are so many, but one that has always stuck with me is See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar. It taught me the power of a positive attitude and how shifting your perspective can make all the difference.

Anything else you would like to share?

When I think about the difference reading makes. I think about an interview I watched with Ben Carson, Neurosurgeon and former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, once, and it has always stuck with me. He shared how his mother pushed him and his brother to read, wanting them to gain the knowledge and opportunities she saw while cleaning others’ homes. He carried that with him and went on to become incredibly successful. It was a powerful video that everyone should see.