Category: News

Published: 23 February 2023

Read Time: 1 min

Our February Success Story (also featured in our e-mail newsletter) highlights the progress of Read Together learner James and his tutor, Barbara Sonia.

When James started 3rd grade in person after remote school during COVID, his mother Katie realized right away that he needed some additional support with spelling and reading. “I searched all over for a support that I could afford and would be outside of the school hours,” said Katie. “Then along came Midcoast Literacy. I wish I had known about this place sooner! I couldn’t believe that my son would have the opportunity to meet with an invested tutor twice per week at no cost to me.”

James, now a 4th grader, has been working with Barbara, a Read Together tutor, for a year-and-a-half now. Barbara’s tutoring sessions with James are fueled by his interest in specific subjects. When his focus was on the Middle Ages, he and Barbara spent several months reading books about knights and Robin Hood. More recently, James has gotten interested in world maps and flags. Whatever the subject matter, Barbara finds books and activities that engage James’ inquisitive mind and help him master the basics from phonetic skills to spelling patterns. “James is a truly amazing young person,” said Barbara. “I know he will be successful throughout his school career and beyond.”

With support from Barbara, James is making “leaps forward” at school. In his mother Katie’s, words: “James’ reading skills have really blown me away, and he is more confident with schoolwork in general. I am so proud of him, his attitude, and the work he puts into his sessions with Miss Barbara. I truly have no idea where he would be academically if we were not matched with support from Midcoast Literacy.” Congratulations to James and Barbara on this exciting progress, and keep following us for more success stories from our tutors throughout the year!