America Reads program offers experience for tomorrow’s teachers

October 23, 2009

Students looking to discover the challenges and benefits of being an educator might be interested in America Reads, a program that offers a window into the life of a teacher. More than 100 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students are currently involved the program dedicated to the positive development of young students in all areas of general education.

America Reads involves UW-Whitewater volunteers from all majors, though most students involved are from the College of Education. A number of the grade school students don't speak English at home, opening the door for many volunteers with a foreign language minor to practice their language skills while helping a student.

"The program lets you know what you really want to do with your life," said Kimberly Clarksen, leadership adviser in the Career and Leadership Development office. "Students come back from working with kindergarteners with a better idea of whether or not it’s what they want to do."

Students attend classes at one of the five schools in the Whitewater Unified School District, working with students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Volunteers are expected to work at least one to two hours a week, working with an individual student or in small groups on reading comprehension or any other subjects in which a student may struggling.

Freshman special education major Meagan Jacklich works with students who have learning disabilities during an end-of-day study session at Washington Elementary School.

"I'm there to see how they're doing, help them and just support them," Jacklich said. "The kids treat you like a teacher. At the same time, you're younger. You have a different connection with the students."

"Through the America Reads program, volunteers work with less fortunate students and gain an appreciation for how difficult reading and the education process can be for some individuals," said Joan McGowan-Merlin, an eighth-grade teacher at Whitewater Middle School.

Any student looking for volunteer hours or experience working with young students through America Reads should contact Career and Leadership Development. The program is volunteer-based, with paying jobs available to those with work-study. While the majority of openings have been filled by this time, Clarksen said there are still openings for those looking for experience working in a middle-school setting.