Augustine Literacy Project Update 2019
It has been a joy to be part of the Augustine Literacy Projectās first year here in Atlanta! Watching our tutors teach a child to read is watching Godās love in action. Carol, Jo, Kim, and Terri have spent countless hours training (in the Orton-Gillingham methodology), prepping lessons, and working with their students this past school year. They are changing the lives of students, who otherwise would not have access to this expensive teaching methodology. Our 2018-2019 students were: Noe, Kimberly, Brian, Payden, and Charlie.
The work of our tutors would not have been possible without support from the Kairos community. We are so grateful for:
- The Equipping Fund and Tyler and Katie Tidwell for covering the training costs for four trainees, including Kairos members Jo Ditzel and Carol Osner
- Joe Ryan for accounting help
- Cece Webster, Nathan Hedges, Katie Tidwell, and Christin Fejervary for providing lunches for our trainees during the seven day training
- Jan Williamson for constant logistical help and support during our training sessions
- Jane Wilkinson and her small group for making goodie bags for our tutors
- Drew Ditzel and Julia Pinkston for helping with the initiation of our local chapter
- Prayers from so many in our community
Collectively, we tutored five students at Lake Forest Elementary School (here in Sandy Springs) and in College Park for a total of 180 lessons. Privately, these lessons total a value exceeding $15,000, but were offered āfree of chargeā to our students ā all who qualify for free school lunch. This has been possible thanks to the contributions of money, time, and prayer from the Kairos Community.
Hereās an excerpt of a poem about our tutors, from last yearās training:
In all seriousness, you four blow me away,
You are giving a gift to your student that can never be taken away.
You will teach your children they are special and that they can read,
A glimpse of Godās love and a tool for them to succeed.
So thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
We could not have dreamed of a better group for Augustine Literacy Atlantaās start.
Know that when you are working with your student we are giving you many high-fives,
And hoping through your experience, you will experience our motto: Tutor one child, change two lives.
We are thrilled to have five people signed up to take our training class August 26th-September 5th, including Kairos member Beth Thompson. These five will expand our work during the 2019-2020 school year and continue to reach more students who desperately need this way of teaching. We know this work is made possible by Godās abundant gifts through the Kairos community and we are so appreciative.
If you are interested in supporting our mission, we are currently looking for folks to sign up to provide a lunch for one of seven days of training. You can reach me at arcornwell@gmail.com if you would lie to learn more or help in this capacity. Also, please let me know if you are interested in becoming a tutor!
– Anne-Ross Edwards