Spring 2007 Connections.indd - Concordia University

Leadership in Education
Students practice leadership through a special tutoring program
Students in Dr. Lorna Idol’s Diagnosis and Remedial Reading Practicum class are making a difference in the
lives of at-risk children at Wooten Elementary School in Austin, Texas. Using a program designed by Dr. Idol called
Reading Success, 19 Concordia students preparing to be early childhood and elementary school teachers provide
one-on-one reading tutoring to third through fifth graders. Through this program and their work with Concordia
students, these young children have taken tremendous steps towards growth and improvement.
“As we work with the children, we are analyzing their reading level and helping them progress to a higher
level,” junior Emily Eastwood said. Senior Amy Willis added, “After we have deduced their reading level, we’re learning
to work out a method that works for our individual students. It’s helping us become better teachers even as
we’re helping them become better readers.”
Since February, each child has already experienced a huge improvement in both reading and social skills. Many
students have improved at least one reading level, and all of them are much more comfortable interacting with
their tutors and each other. The Concordia tutors have found that the students they are working with have
grown in confidence, as well.
“Working with the students one-on-one, we’re able to share our personal experiences in both education and
growing up. By doing that, our students are able to better relate to us,” senior J.D. Fralicker (pictured with Trovone
Lewis) said. “My student has already gained both responsibility
and confidence. We’re not just
there for reading.”
“We’re role models,” senior Rebekah
House said. “Most of our students
don’t come from families of college
graduates, but they see
us succeeding and realize
that it’s something they
can do, too. A lot of them
are now talking about
going to college themselves.”
All of the Concordia
students agree
that they have
grown, as well. “They
are learning teaching
and assessment
strategies that they
can take into their
own classroom some
day,” Dr. Lorna Idol said.
“And working with atrisk
students who aren’t
always interested in school
or learning has taught them
flexibility and patience. It has
been a wonderful experience for
both our Concordia students and the
Wooten Elementary School students.”
By Sherrah Holobaugh ‘00, Director of University Communications
Connections/Spring 2007/19