Reading ASSIST Institute - Unlocking the written word... one sound at a time

Success Stories — Tutoring

Click each category to read what people are saying about RAI’s tutoring services:

> Principals
> Parents
> Tutor Volunteers
> Students

Principals:
“Reading ASSIST^®’s program is completely research based and provides a systematic approach to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding and fluency. The instructors are extremely well trained, professional, reliable and are truly committed to the success of the children they work with.”
- Peter Barry, Principal, Lancashire Elementary School

“During my two years at Brandywood I have had the pleasure of working with Reading ASSIST^® tutors who are who are dedicated individuals who genuinely love children and desire to see them succeed. Our three volunteers work diligently with students daily. I watched as some of our struggling readers met with success due in part to this wonderful team. They took these students and gave them not only the academic support they required but the emotional support as well. My hope is that Reading ASSIST^® will not only continue at Brandywood Elementary by will also be able to expand.”
- VeronicaWilkie, Principal, Brandywood Elementary School

“We can always count on the Reading ASSIST^® volunteers who are exceptionally well trained and professional in their approach. Tutoring, along with the work our teachers are doing in the classroom, allows students to receive the extra help they need to help them avoid more specialized and more costly education services. Beside academic gains, the students flourished with the individualized attention. The tutoring allowed the students to progress at their own pace and not be compared to others in the classroom. This improved their self esteem and overall attitude in school.”
- Jackqueline Lee, Principal, Bancroft Elementary School

“Having volunteers from Reading ASSIST^® in my building allows me to offer services to students who would not normally receive them. The Kindergarten Intervention Program has been well received by our staff, students and parents.”
- Dorothy S. Johnson, Principal, Richey Elementary School

Parents:
“As (my daughter) is a happy, social and active child, it was easy to detect a change in her behavior. She was unhappy, moody and angry. She was hesitant to say anything, but gradually started to make remarks of how she found everything difficult and how stupid and dumb she felt. Her self esteem was so low if affected everything she did. (She) moved to PS DuPont Elementary School and immediately started to work with a Reading ASSIST^® volunteer, and within a couple of days we noticed a change in her behavior. She started to smile, joke and be happy again. In Hebrew there is a saying, ‘Saving one soul is like saving a whole world’. In our opinion, you (RAI volunteers) are people who are going to save many souls and many worlds, as well as making this world a better place.”
- Cliff Narunsky, Parent of a VTP student, in a speech at the RAI Volunteer Luncheon, April, 2007.

“We just want to tell you THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. You have been so instrumental in helping our children become the successes that they are. And by the way, not just successful in material things. But in the way that matters most-having self confidence in their own abilities. Keep up the good work. The world is a much better place because of what you do.”
- Janna and Rich Vandegrift, Parents of VTP students

“My one son is in third grade now and without the help he gets through Reading ASSIST^® would still be struggling with reading. My other son repeated kindergarten-he just couldn’t recognize letters or sounds. He is now in the first grade and has been working with an RAI tutor since the end of last year and he is actually recognizing and sounding our letters and starting to put the pieces together to read words. What a wonderful thing! I felt I had to let you know what a wonderful institute you have and how grateful I am that your program is there to help my children and all the others that need that extra help.”
- Sherry Seace, Parent of VTP students and RAI Volunteer Tutor

Tutor Volunteers:
“The Reading ASSIST Institute gave us (volunteer tutors) training that allows children to have fun while learning. We include games as well as a structured learning regimen. It is most rewarding to see (children) grow in their abilities, and we greatly appreciate comments from their teachers that attest to their improvement in their regular classroom.”
- Gary Lippe, RAI Volunteer Tutor, Rehoboth, DE

“Three other volunteers and I work with a little boy each week. I’ll call him Jamal. Initial Reading ASSIST^® testing this year found he had none of the skills necessary to become a reader. (After tutoring) Jamal met benchmarks for his grade level in oral reading AND phonemic segmentation. About the same time, Jamal greeted me with the announcement that he was going to be a great reader and go to college. What made a difference in this little boy’s life? About forty-five minutes a day, four days a week with a team of four volunteers who have the knowledge and skills to help him succeed in becoming a literate participant in the world. Where did I and my fellow volunteers receive our training? Through Delaware’s Reading ASSIST^® Institute.”
- Barb Kanter, MS Ed, RAI Volunteer Tutor, Wilmington, DE

“Every day we meet with the students is rewarding as they greet us with warmth and an eagerness to learn. Our time together is exciting, sometimes frustrating, but at the end of the day incredibly fulfilling. One day I was introducing a beginning blend concept which in prior sessions had been a struggle. On this day the student got it! His pride in his accomplishment and his expressions of joy are the essence of my reward.”
- Gary Reddick, RAI Volunteer Tutor, Lewes, DE

Students:
“Dyslexia has taught me a lot about myself. I know that if I work hard I can achieve many great things. Thank you, Reading ASSIST^®, for giving me that confidence to know that I can do it and that I will succeed with a little extra effort. I am currently a junior at Salesianum High School, on the honor roll, and I was recently inducted into the National Honor Society.”
- Thomas Reid, RAI student in a speech at the RAI Volunteer Luncheon, April 2006

“My parents had me tested in the first grade and found out I had Dyslexia. When I was in third grade I was lucky to join the Reading ASSIST^® team and was pulled out of classes three days a week during school and two days a week after school. I am now entering my senior year in college, and last semester I made the Dean’s List. I am majoring in Early Childhoood Education. Through my struggles in school and the progress I made through Reading ASSIST^® is the reason why I want to be a teacher. I feel as though I can relate to the student and hopefully will be able to help other children like you and me.”
- Carly Papp, RAI student in a speech at the Student Recognition Party, May 2009