Reading Coaches for Kids

It only takes an hour a week to make a difference to a child!

Research shows that third graders who have proficient reading skills are nearly five times more likely to graduate high school than their peers who do not; yet in many of our area schools, 70% of third graders test below proficient for on-track readiness in English Language Arts.

Reading Coaches for Kids is a volunteer tutoring program designed to increase students’ reading abilities and academic success. Dedicated, caring volunteers provide consistency and educational support by working individually with students during the school day in K-5 classrooms throughout Brown County, helping them improve their reading skills.

Our program is currently serving the Pulaski Community School District, Green Bay Area Public School District and The Unified School District of De Pere (after school program Redbird Ready).

Reading Coaches must pass a background check and are asked to commit to a minimum of one hour per week over the course of a school year. No educational background is needed; training and ongoing support are provided.

The Reading Coaches for Kids program is coordinated through the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the Volunteer Center of Brown County, but our tutors range in age from 18 to 90 years old. They’re connected by their desire to see kids succeed.

The Reading Coaches for Kids volunteer description can be found here.

Reflections from Reading Coaches

Reading Coaches for Kids is a perfect way to bridge generations! The relationships that I made with the children and staff enhanced my quality of life, as well as the students’. We all learned so much together!
Connie

It’s such a wonderful feeling to see the improvement and to work with a caring teacher.
Sue

It’s very rewarding to me as a volunteer Reading Coach to observe the student’s progress in their reading skills and to see them gain self-confidence.
Karen

After teaching middle school students science and language arts for over 20 years, coaching reading with first-graders was definitely a cultural shift. However, it was such a positive shift that I found myself looking forward to Thursday afternoons every week! I felt entirely embraced by the students, the teacher, and the learning environment at the school I was assigned. No matter the baseline abilities of the students I worked with, I was able to see growth in the time I spent with them, which made coaching reading a worthwhile and rewarding experience!
Mary

Reflections from Teachers

The students looked forward to their weekly visits and it was a huge benefit to have them give some of the students who needed that extra support a little more one-on-one time each week.
Katie

I LOVED my reading coaches this year! The volunteer especially works so well with the students. She was consistent and dependable.
Kori

The volunteer is very easy to connect with for adults and children. She always came in with a smile and left with “see you next week.”
Karen

The volunteers are a great asset to a school. They build positive relationships with the students they are working with, in addition to building their reading skills.
Cheri

It’s great to involve community members in their neighborhood school.
Beth

Interested in Being a Reading Coach?

Volunteers spend a minimum of one hour, one day a week in a school classroom. We do ask for a commitment of one school year (remainder of the school year or summer school).

Volunteers must pass a background check and attend a two-hour Initial Reading Coaches Training. Reading Coaches for Kids Initial Trainings are scheduled monthly (except April, May, July).

Upcoming Trainings:

Wednesday, June 3, 1:00-3:00 pm (Green Bay)

Steps to Attend Reading Coaches for Kids Initial Training:

Complete and return the volunteer application one week prior to the training date.
- Click on the appropriate box below, download the form, and save it to your computer (the desktop is a good place).
- Open it from the saved location, complete all fields, and again save to your computer (replace the original one you downloaded).
- Email the completed application to Reading Coaches Coordinator Eileen Metzler or print it out and mail to:
  - Volunteer Center of Brown County
    Attn: Eileen Metzler
    984 9th Street
    Green Bay, WI 54304
Less than a week before training? No worries! Contact Eileen Metzler, Reading Coaches Coordinator, at 920.600.0184 or eileen@volunteergb.org.
Once we receive your volunteer application, you will be contacted with further details about the training.

Under age 55 Enrollment Form

55 and Older Enrollment Form

Donate Books to the Reading Coaches for Kids Program

We are always looking for donations of new or gently used children’s books to share with the children of our community. Contact Reading Coaches Coordinator Eileen Metzler if you would like to donate new or gently used children’s books. You can also visit our Amazon Wishlist to directly purchase children’s books to donate to our program and know that your gifts are greatly appreciated!