Volunteer Spotlight: University of Saint Francis Students

The University of Saint Francis and Project Reads have collaborated for three years. University of Saint Francis (USF) education majors participate in a year-long experience working with Queen of Angels school students in the after-school Project Reads program. This opportunity provides a mutually beneficial experience for the elementary students and teacher candidates because it allows USF teacher candidates to support the students’ development while also applying strategies aligned with the Science of Reading they are learning as part of their literacy methods courses at the university. Teacher candidates work with the students to provide a differentiated reading experience and build upon the students’ literacy skills throughout the year. The students at the elementary and the teacher candidates look forward to working together each week and have built wonderful relationships!

USF Student Volunteers:

Noah Rice – special education major.
Kailey Rudd – elementary education major with a concentration in special education.
Lexi Shelton – elementary education major with a special education concentration.
Mia Troutner – elementary education major.
Olivia Doll – elementary education major, minoring in special education.
Adam Gerber – elementary education major.
Maggie Hare – elementary education major, minoring in psychology.

What has been the best part of your experience so far?

“I have loved watching my student grow from the beginning of the year to now. She has made so many huge jumps. Witnessing her grow and become confident in herself has been so cool.”– Lexi Shelton

“USF teaches with a sense of faith and with a Franciscan tradition, so I am learning in a calming, less hostile environment than I was used to. I am passionate about working with children, but going to USF has created a better patient version of me. I am more mindful of the way I speak to kids. I enjoy teaching with every bit of me now.”  -Noah Rice

“I have enjoyed seeing them progress. I worked with these students last year when they were in second grade on placement for a different college class. It has been great seeing them improve.” -Olivia Doll

Do you have a favorite volunteer role/task with our organization?  

“Reading- I really like it when they get excited to read, and we have built that connection where they can talk to me if they are struggling to read something. I enjoy them reading to me, helping them read, and reading to them.” – Mia Troutner

“Games- My student gets so excited about the games at the end. We have used them as a tool to help us get through the reading. She really looks forward to it, and we get to bond more during this time.” –  Kailey Rudd

“I like to see them grow. Not only with my student but with other students, too. We are seeing what we have learned in our class (USF) being put to work here (Queen of Angels). The students are improving in their comprehension, phonemic awareness, and phonics. Being able to see it in the classroom and then a glimpse of it at work while we are here is great.”  -Maggie Hare

Complete Assessment- For our final, we are to complete a final report, including grading and fluency checks on our student’s progress. I enjoy seeing her progress. I am the one doing the assessment, setting her goals, and feeling that the school is listening to our advice. I enjoy the responsibility of it.   -Noah Rice, Special Education

* USF candidates complete an interim progress report to be shared with the school in December. This report includes current strengths and skills the tutors are working on with the students. At the year’s close, the final report includes data from the year’s tutoring sessions and recommended strategies and activities to continue building on the student’s literacy skills.

What have you learned about yourself and/or about others through volunteering at The Literacy Alliance?     

“I have learned a lot of patience and how to break information down for students to understand. I try to put myself in their shoes, knowing it is a struggle sometimes.” – Mia Troutner

“I have learned to have patience when students are reading. They read at their own pace; they each have their own level of how they are reading. So, take your time and allow them to take their time.”- Adam Graber

Are there any aspects or tools from this experience that you see yourself using in your future classroom? 

“I like how the students know when a book is too hard for them. I think we have taught them that. I think that is a skill all kids need to learn so that they know how to grow. I think I will also try to incorporate a lot of the reading games that we do now. It’s not always the books that have contributed to my student’s progress but the bingo games where my student is required to read the cards. It is an activity that could be done in small groups.”– Lexi Shelton

“I think I will use many of the comprehension worksheets we use. I see a lot of growth from them. Having students follow along with their fingers and read aloud is another great tool. We have used many different things here that I can see using in my future classroom.” – Maggie Hare

If you were to encourage someone else to volunteer with our organization or to tutor students in reading, what would you say?

“Every student I have met so far has enjoyed reading. So, overall, your program and the school are getting kids interested in reading. They come in bright, shining faces every time. I would tell someone interested in getting into education or volunteering that they should go to a place where they feel welcomed and involved. Overall, it is a good experience, and they should come read to these kids. They love it and need it.” – Noah Rice

“Kids can read a book on their own, but that doesn’t mean they are doing it correctly or will understand everything. I think it helps when books are read to children when they are young. They learn and are asked questions to ensure they understand everything.” – Kailey Rudd

Do you see yourself using any aspects or tools from this program in your future classroom? 

“I like how the students know when a book is too hard for them. I think we have taught them that. I think that is a skill all kids need to learn so that they know how to grow. I think I will also try to incorporate a lot of the reading games that we do now. It’s not always the books that have contributed to her progress but the bingo games where my student is required to read the cards. It is an activity that could be done in small groups.” – Lexi Shelton

“I think I will use many of the comprehension worksheets we use. I see a lot of growth from them. Having students follow along with their fingers and read aloud is another great tool. We have used many different things here that I can see using in my future classroom.” – Maggie Hare

What are your thoughts on this being a required class?

“Even if this were not a requirement, I would still want to volunteer with Project Reads.” -Olivia Doll

“It is a requirement for my major, but I picture it as preparing me to help my students not only know how to read but also learn what I need to do to either move forward or backward in different reading levels. I think there is a lot of good information I am learning for my classroom one day when I can see it in all my students, not just one.” -Adam Gerber

 What is one of your favorite books you would suggest others to read?

Without Merit by Collen Hoover – Lexi Shelton
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han – Mia Troutner
Divergent Series by Veronica Roth- Adam Gerber
The Shack by William Paul Young – Noah Rice
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Kailey Rudd
Any of Collen Hoover’s Books – Maggie Hare