Over 200 Mentors in Reader to Reader's Read, Think, Share Program

There are already more than 200 students from seven different colleges work as reading mentors in our Read, Think, Share program this year, helping students in middle school and high school become more confident readers and writers.

Here, eight of our newest mentors from Amherst College take part in a follow-up training to help them build their own skills at working with students.

The college students are working with 1,400 low-income adolescents in Massachusetts and New Mexico.

Read, Think, Share Results Presented at Literacy Essentials Conference

Last weekend, our Director of Mentoring Programs, Dennis Quinn, presented results from our Read, Think, Share mentoring program at the 9th annual Literacy Essentials Conference at Central Connecticut State University.

Students working with Read, Think, Share mentors report increases in reading persistence and comprehension, along with stronger writing skills.  Most importantly, the program makes reading and writing a daily habit.

One student Dennis featured in the poster said, “This class has improved my reading. It has made me more interested in books, and I've been reading a lot more because of this class. I've read about six books and am still reading more.”

It's all made possible by our amazing crew of mentors!

Reader to Reader helps charge up Holyoke's innovative Summer of Power

On July 8th, 22 Reader to Reader mentors started working with students at Holyoke Public Schools' groundbreaking summer academy called the ELL Summer of Power.

Combining academic discussions, project workshops, and afternoon internships and jobs, the ELL Summer of Power is providing a unique opportunity for English language learners.

Organizers chose Reader to Reader to implement the academic discussion piece, and Reader to Reader brought in college-age mentors from neighboring colleges and universities to work with the students on books like Call Me Maria, by Judith Ortiz Cofer; Mexican Whiteboy, by Matt de la Pena; and The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, by Sonia Manzano. One group is reading (and staging scenes from) Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Working with certified ELL teachers, the mentors lead small groups in developing skills that help students to read and talk about books successfully in a classroom setting.

We are truly excited to be working with Holyoke Public Schools on an empowering program that can truly serve as a model for other districts.

Read, Think, Share serving 400 students

In 2007, a small group of Navajo students in New Mexico and a handful of Amherst College students met online to read and discuss books – and Read, Think, Share was born.

It’s six years later now, and Read Think, Share is serving 400 students this academic year. That’s 400 students in daily contact with a college student who can be a discussion partner, an academic cheerleader, and a role model

Combining motivated college-age reading mentors with middle and high school students has proved a recipe for success: students are reading and writing – and reporting increased skills and confidence thanks to the program. Most importantly, we’ve seen students who start by declaring that they hate reading become enthusiastic readers.

We couldn’t be more proud of the students we’ve worked with, or more grateful for the fantastic mentors who have taken the journey with them!

College Students Gather for Launch of Fall Mentoring Program

More than 50 college student reading mentors gathered for the launch of the fall 2012 Read, Think, Share Mentoring Program.

Throughout the year college students will be reading books with hundreds of school children grades 5-10 and corresponding daily online.

This year marks the sixth year of the mentoring program, which works with low-income elementary, middle school, and high school students in Arizona, Massachusetts, and New Mexico.

Reader to Reader Donates Laptop Computers to Chicopee School

Students at Litwin Elementary in Chicopee, Massachusetts show off the new HP laptops donated by Reader to Reader.

The school is participating in Reader to Reader’s Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program. The program matches school children with college student reading mentors to read books and discuss them online in a specially designed forum.

The computer donation not only increased computer access for the students participating in the mentoring program, but also gave the school a resource they can use throughout the school day.

“We cannot thank you enough for the laptop donation to our school this week!” said Jordana Harper, principal at Litwin Elementary. “Our technology needs were preventing us from having enough workstations for students to access. Because of your very generous donation, we will be able to participate in the Reader to Reader mentoring program. Our teachers are eagerly looking forward to beginning the program, which is an excellent and engaging way of connecting our students with college students, and having authentic conversations around texts. Thank you again!!!”

The Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program provides online mentoring for over 300 students in Massachusetts, Arizona and New Mexico.

A Light We Can Count On

Dear Reader to Reader,

With all the pressure on teachers from cuts in budgets, your box of Twilight prizes was a very important boost here. It really means a lot to know Reader to Reader supports this school. Teachers are using Reader to Reader mentors daily. And, without prompting, all English teachers give your program credit for raising our reading scores on state tests. Thank you for your work. Most of all, thank you for sticking by us for all these years. The future for teaching seems bleak, but your donations and your positive influence are a light we can count on.

Thank you,

Carla Clauschee
Librarian
Navajo Pine High School
Navajo, NM

Mentoring: "It's Very Rewarding"

Spring semester Amherst College Reading Mentors gathered together for fresh-baked cookies and program orientation as they kick off their mentoring in the Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program.

"Reading books with these kids helps me to look at my own reading in a new way." notes Emmy Pierce, an Amherst College junior that is in her third year as a Reading Mentor. "When I'm thinking of ways to engage the students at Springfield High School or Navajo Pine High, I have to keep in mind that they're probably relating to the same book in a completely different way. It's a challenge, but when I do it right and get an engaged response, it's very rewarding."

Reader To Reader's Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program and Navajo Mentoring Program bring together over 300 children from low-income backgrounds and Amherst College student Reading Mentors to read books and discuss them online in a specially designed forum. The students not only receive positive feedback and academic support, but also much-needed role models.

Reading Mentors Hard at Work

Our Amherst College reading mentors have been hard at work corresponding with children across the United States. The energetic team of 40 college students manage to cover 81 books, all while juggling their own heavy class loads.

Reader To Reader’s Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program and Navajo Mentoring Program bring together children from low-income backgrounds and college student reading mentors to read books and discuss them online in a specially designed forum. The students not only receive positive feedback and academic support, but also much-needed role models.

Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program Doubles in Size

Enthusiastic Amherst College students from diverse backgrounds gathered together as Reader To Reader launched the third year of the Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program.

The Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program has more than doubled in size again for the 2009-2010 school year. The online mentoring program began in 2008 with 7 mentors. In 2009, 17 mentors were hired as three new schools joined the program, and for the 2009-2010 school year over 40 mentors will help students across the country explore books, build academic skills, and develop a love for reading.

The innovative mentoring program brings together children from low-income backgrounds and college student reading mentors to read books and discuss them online in a specially designed forum. The students not only receive positive feedback and academic support, but also much-needed role models.

Jim Trelease, noted literacy advocate and author of The Read-Aloud Handbook has been a strong supporter of the program.

"With online connections now present in most urban schools, we've got one half of the personal 'mentoring' program in place. David Mazor's Reader To Reader project now completes the formula, providing top-notch college students as mentors via the Web and email.” Trelease explains. “What the program accomplished with motivating Native-American youths while connecting them to college-age mentors 3,000 miles away is one of those unsung success stories that deserves national recognition. It begs the question: Why isn't it being adopted by other cities and rural districts across the nation?"

Visiting Navajo Pine High

Reading mentors Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder travelled to Navajo Pine High School in Navajo, New Mexico to meet the students that have been participating in the online reading program.

The mentors met outstanding shop teacher Robert Carrick, who by himself teaches welding, auto repair, woodworking and CAD drawing.

Mr. Carrick has the great idea to have his students build wind turbines and solar panels so they can be skilled in green technologies.



Reader To Reader has been supplying his shop with books on solar technologies to help launch the project.

Amherst College juniors Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in schools on the Navajo Reservation.

Gathering Together

On the last evening of their visit to St. Michael Indian School in St. Michael, Arizona, Reader To Reader’s executive director David Mazor and reading mentors Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder gathered with the students and their families for a celebratory dinner.

In addition to lots of great food the students prepared Navajo culture presentations on Navajo language, government and history.

The gathering was a special send-off for the mentors that will not be forgotten.


Reader to Reader Executive Director, David Mazor, and Amherst College juniors Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in schools on the Navajo Reservation.




Sad to say goodbye!

On Trial

The juniors of St. Michael Indian School staged a mock trial based on Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible with their visiting Amherst College reading mentors serving as the trial judges.

“The Amherst College student mentors really inspired our students to step up their game,” history teacher, Michelle Horrevorts, said.

St. Michael students engaged in extraordinary displays of extemporaneous speaking while serving as the prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Amherst College juniors Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in schools on the Navajo Reservation.

Enjoying Literature, Analyzing Text

Amherst College students Cait Scudder and Kathryn Libby lead a large group discussion with St. Michael Indian School's sophomores. The high level of their work drew raves from the students and their English teacher.

"As a teacher, observing these discussions is the reason I teach," St. Michael's English teacher, Joan Levitt, explains. "I see and hear students who are enjoying literature, analyzing text, and conversing with college students clearly and creatively. I love it."

The two Amherst College juniors are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in schools on the Navajo Reservation.

Ya'at' eeh Means Hello

Amherst College students Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder stand with Irene Silentman, Navajo language teacher at St. Michael Indian School in St. Michael, Arizona. The two Amherst College juniors are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in schools on the Navajo Reservation.

The students attended Ms. Silentman's first year Navajo language class. They not only observed how the Navajo language is taught but also participated along with St. Michael's high school students.

During the class they learned that Navajo is a tonal language, with the vowels rising and falling. The meaning of words also changes with the pitch of the voice. The four separate tones of voice used are low, high, rising, and falling. They also learned about various verb conjugations.

To Ms. Silentman we gratefully say Ahe'hee (thank you).

Small Group Discussion

Students at St. Michael Indian School in St. Michael, Arizona, engage in a small group book discussion with Amherst College reading mentors Cait Scudder and Kathryn Libby. The students explored the ethical questions at the heart of the Elie Wiesel's Holocaust memoir Night.

The two Amherst College juniors are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in schools on the Navajo Reservation.

At the Window Rock

Reading mentors Kathryn Libby and Cait Scudder pose before the Window Rock in Window Rock, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. The two Amherst College juniors are spending the week working for Reader To Reader in local schools.

After spending the weekend learning about Native-American history and culture with visits to Acoma Pueblo, Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelly, the mentors attended a Navajo language class at St. Michael Indian School in St. Michael, Arizona. They then led two groups of high school sophomores in an in-depth book discussion on Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night.

Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program Celebrates Successful Year

Amherst College student reading mentors participating on the Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program gathered for lunch at The Pub restaurant in Amherst to celebrate all their hard work doing online mentoring with students across the country.

“I can’t thank these students enough for all their hard work and dedication,” Reader To Reader executive director David Mazor said. “These exceptional students put in countless hours reading books and corresponding with high school and elementary school students. They had a lot of books to read and these were on top of their own demanding course loads. They provided invaluable support to the students in the program and were tremendous role models for academic achievement.

The Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program brings together children from low-income backgrounds and college student reading mentors to read books and discuss them online in a specially designed forum. The students not only receive positive feedback and academic support, but also much-needed role models

Author Transports the Kid of Tomorrow to Today

A special thank you to award-winning author Amy Zuckerman for donating signed copies of her exciting new children’s book, 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow's Kids (published by Dutton Juvenile).

Zuckerman will be participating as a guest author this fall in the Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program, where she will answer elementary students’ questions in the online forum.

Curious about the future? Here's the Booklist review:

For any librarian who’s been stumped by a child’s request for a book about the future, not science fiction—the real future, this nonfiction picture book comes riding to the rescue, at least for a couple of decades. On each page or spread, a clearly written paragraph or two explains what’s different in the year 2030, including the school constructed from large Lego-like blocks and the wristwatch that beams your temperature, blood pressure, and feelings to your doctor’s office.

Following a boy through his day, colorful, somewhat cartoonlike paintings create a strong sense of action within a convincing future cityscape, peopled by smiling folks enjoying advanced technology. Kids will want to show their friends features such as the skateboard park with its magnetically hovering smart boards. Appended bibliography and acknowledgments sections note dozens of books, articles, reports, and individuals consulted regarding technological innovations. With jacket art that’s sure to draw readers, this book will easily find its audience. Grades K-3. --Carolyn Phelan

Author Norton Juster Joins Mentoring Program

Children reading The Phantom Tollbooth in the Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program got a special treat recently when author Norton Juster signed on to answer their questions.

Juster answered questions from a 5th grade girl about what was real and what was imaginary about the trip Milo takes in the book.

“It's sometimes hard to tell whether a trip is real or imaginary--Some of the best trips I've ever taken have been imaginary,” Juster explained. “The trip Milo goes on is about real things, real ideas and real thoughts, but it is imaginary since it is a story. Often times the best way to think about and understand real things is through stories--Milo is really traveling in his mind and in his imagination in this story. You can see how far you can go without ever leaving your room.”

We are so pleased to welcome Norton Juster as the first of our guest authors, He has been a long-time supporter of Reader To Reader. More guest authors will be participating in the coming months.

The Doris Hiatt Mentoring Program brings together children from low-income backgrounds and college student reading mentors to read books and discuss them online in a specially designed forum. The students not only receive positive feedback and academic support, but also much-needed role models.