Fun Run for Reading!

After the color powder has settled and everyone has crossed the finish line, the Color Me United 5K continues to impact lives in our community.

Literacy is a fundamental part of learning. Iowa Reading Corps (IRC) is a statewide initiative that helps ensure children struggling with reading get the extra help they need to succeed.

IRC is funded largely by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. Locally, that funding is matched by United Way of Mahaska County (UWMC). Starting in 2016, UWMC’s Color Me United 5K became a fundraiser for the Oskaloosa chapter of IRC. Last year’s event raised $3K through sponsorships and registrations.

Ashley Smith is one of two Iowa Reading Corps members who work with K-3 students at Oskaloosa Elementary School. When a student needs a little extra support in reading, Ashley spends time every day working on literacy skills to get them back on track. Each day, Ashley sees about 16 students for a 15-20 minute session.

“I really liked the idea of working one-on-one with the kids,” Smith said.

Ashley had her education degree, and was having second thoughts about being a teacher when she heard about the opportunity to work with IRC. She knew she wanted to work with children, but wasn’t sure if teaching entire classes was a good fit for her.

One of the major goals of the IRC program is to ensure students are reading at grade level by the time they finish third grade. In the beginning, tutoring sessions consist mostly of foundational skills.

"In Kindergarten, they're learning the alphabet, the sounds the letters make, and then small words. In first grade they're really learning all the rules of the English language. Once they're in second and third grade, [they've] already learned it, so with them we just read."

Ashley believes that one-on-one tutoring is a key factor in the program’s effectiveness.

“One-on-one tutoring is extremely beneficial for students because classroom learning is mostly done in a whole group or small group setting. [One-on-one] tutoring allows for personal time with students to focus on specific skills that might not get much attention elsewhere.”

Students enter and exit the program at different times based on performance. Once a student is in the program, their test scores are tracked through the end of third grade. This tracking helps ensure the program continues to be effective.

​During the summer, Ashley spends her time helping to coordinate activities for the Oskaloosa Summer Lunch program. The literacy and learning activities give kids a chance for fun after they eat. This summer, Ashley and fellow IRC member Jenna will continue to help with Oskaloosa Summer Lunch.

Ashley’s favorite part of being an IRC member is working with the students.

“I love my kids. I wish I could stay with [IRC] forever.”

For more information about Reading Corps and other Americorps programs, visit Americorps.gov. For more information about Iowa Reading Corps, visit www.UWIowa.org/IowaReadingCorps.