Each month we work to highlight another fabulous tutor within the N.D. Reading Corps program. This month we’d like to introduce Teresa Bachmeier, a veteran tutor who is back for her fourth year and is a K-3 tutor in Fargo’s Clara Barton and Hawthorne elementary schools.
Teresa, who previously worked for MeritCare (now Sanford) for 13 years until her son was born, chose to be a stay at home mother until her son reached second grade, but then wanted to become more involved. She began by helping her son’s class with various activities, but was soon given the opportunity for recess and lunch supervision and of course said yes!
I’m sure you can guess what the next step was. The principal and a few teachers shared information with Teresa about the Reading Corps program and the opportunity to become a tutor. They encouraged her to apply and she happily agreed.
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“It sounded like a good opportunity help kids while also getting me out of the house. I am so glad I said yes because it has turned out to be so much more than just that!”
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If you’re thinking of possibly getting involved with AmeriCorps and wanting to serve your community, N.D. Reading Corps could be the perfect place for you. Just take it from Teresa when she says, “Go for it! It’s a great opportunity to get to know some wonderful kids and help them become better readers. The first year may be overwhelming, but once I was in the school, became organized and started working with the kids, everything came together and it has been a very rewarding experience.”
Teresa, like a lot of other tutors, want to get involved in the community in one way or another, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right fit for you. AmeriCorps is a fantastic program and Reading Corps is a perfect fit for those of you who want to work with children and really make a huge impact in the lives of our community’s youth!
Today, statistics tell us two-thirds of North Dakota’s children are not proficient readers by 4th grade making them FOUR TIMES more likely to drop out of high school. We are working to make a difference and you can be a part of something big. The N.D. Reading Corps program has grown 166% over its five years in existence. There are many, many more children in our state that we want to reach and help succeed in their education.
Teresa’s experience has made a huge impact on her life and she has a new vision for herself.
“I have so enjoyed working with these kids that I am planning on taking some classes and would like to work in a preschool or pre-k program,” she says.
This year we are proud to say that we have filled all our tutor positions and are new serving children not only in Fargo, Jamestown and Fargo like we have in the past 4 years, but we have been able to expand west to Bismarck, Hazen and Mandan. With your help we can keep this program moving forward.
If you’d like to find out more about the N.D. Reading Corps program, visit our website at www.ndseec.com/readingcorps or contact Program Coordinator Jolene Garty at 701.446.3173 or gartyj@ndseec.com.
A big thank you to our cooperating school districts, the United Way of Cass-Clay and of course AmeriCorps.
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