R.E.A.L. life changes

By Miriam Heider


My prayer for the R.E.A.L. room has been that students would not only improve their reading scores, but develop a lifelong love for reading. I also pray that God would develop meaningful relationships between volunteers and students. Some of our students have only received 10 reading instruction sessions, and already I am seeing this happen. Volunteers come into the R.E.A.L. room anxious and excited to read with their student. Some have been amazed at the progress their student has made in the short work since they last met. It’s been exciting to see the volunteers realize what their investment means to a child.

The students are eager as well when they enter the R.E.A.L. room. I see genuine excitement when I remind them who they will be reading with that specific day. If by chance a volunteer is gone, the kids are disappointed they won’t be able to read that day. The students still have their struggles and frustrations, but they are approaching reading with a different mindset than before. Confidence is growing, and along with it their confidence, a love for reading.