
Innovations for Learning (IFL) is partnering with Newton County School
System to bring the unique online reading program, TutorMate, to local
first-grade classrooms. TutorMate is the nation’s preeminent virtual
volunteer program that helps thousands of students learn to read. More
than 200 of the country’s most prominent corporations and organizations
partner with IFL to recruit an army of volunteers who help young
students learn to read.
The 2018-2019 school year is the first year that TutorMate will partner
local corporate and community tutors with Newton County first-graders.
Tutors will help their students learn to read through weekly, 30 minute
online sessions. Samantha Fuhrey, Newton County School System
Superintendent, shares in the excitement; “We know that reading on or
above grade-level before exiting grade 3 is critical to our students’
future successes, and I am excited about this innovative approach to
purposefully connect our business, industry, and community partners to
our students through reading. Pairing first grade students with a caring
adult who provides additional reading practice and support will
certainly enable our students to develop their reading skills and build
their confidence. I cannot wait to get started!”
Deena Sams, Director of Afterschool and Community Affairs for the
district is promoting the launch of TutorMate with this call to action:
“Literacy lays the foundation for a child's success in school and in
life. There must be an investment from the whole community to shape our
future leaders. We need businesses, churches, civic groups, non-profits,
local government, and others to join us making sure students are
reading on grade level before they reach 3rd grade.”
TutorMate is currently seeking corporate and community partners to help
build early literacy in Newton County. To learn more, contact Sandy
Harper at
[email protected] or 770-828-5481. Please click
here to hear more about TutorMate from our corporate partners.
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Innovations for Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed
to improving literacy outcomes of primary grade students in
under-resourced schools. Their flagship program, TutorMate, offers a
unique opportunity for local volunteers to help students practice
reading through weekly, online tutor sessions. The consistent connection
with a nurturing and friendly tutor not only helps students reach
grade-level literacy, but also fosters self-esteem, confidence, and a
joy for reading. TutorMate is changing the literacy landscape in 30
major metropolitan school districts in the United States and, as of
2018, in London, UK and Toronto, Canada. To get your company involved or
to learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor, visit
https://www.innovationsforlearning.org.