CTI volunteers read with second grade students at Wilder Elementary every Wednesday.
Columbus Tutoring Initiative (CTI) works in partnership with churches and organizations to recruit volunteers and tutors to lead programs in their local schools. Approximately 25 educational institutions in Central Ohio have benefited from this effort including Wilder Elementary in Westerville, where every Wednesday, 24 second graders are tutored in reading during lunch/recess.
Each week, 12 volunteers from Grace Polaris Church come to Wilder and work with two children for 30 minutes. The second graders and their tutors have formed incredible bonds during their visits and the students feel very privileged to think that a community person comes to their school for the sole purpose of reading with them.
“The children are making great gains in their reading,” says Kim Wickham, Instructional Coach. “Many of our second graders have learned about new authors and started reading their way through some great series. They have learned what a joy reading can be and treasure the time spent reading with their new friends.”