Centenary grad students provide summer reading tutoring to Allamuchy Township students
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — Graduate students enrolled in Centenary University’s Master of Education in Literacy Instruction program have dedicated hundreds of hours this summer to tutoring children in the Allamuchy Township School District, helping students in kindergarten through eighth grade build critical reading skills.
The initiative is a key component of Centenary’s Master of Arts in Literacy Instruction, which requires students to complete clinical hours similar to a medical residency. These hours culminate in a summer literacy program where graduate students take on the role of reading specialists, working directly with local children.
“This program strives for ‘books in hands and smiles on faces,’” said Lexis McCoy, Ed.D., director of the program. “Our goal is to cultivate a love of reading from the earliest years, so as children grow in proficiency they are motivated to continue reading widely. We can teach students how to read, but if they don’t enjoy reading, they will not continue. Our goal is to teach children the foundations so they know how to read well as we motivate them to want to read more.”
During tutoring sessions, the graduate students plan and deliver individualized lessons using evidence-based practices while forming strong relationships with the children to boost both literacy and self-confidence.
“This is a fine example of university and public school partnerships,” said Centenary University Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Robert Battistini, Ph.D. “We are appreciative of this school district, which also hosts many of our undergraduate student teachers. It’s a win/win, providing the children with tutoring and Centenary students with a consistent opportunity to work in a real-life setting. This program benefits the whole community: Future literacy instructors will be better able to reach young readers and area children will read better.”
Mountain Villa School Principal Jennifer Gallegly, Ed.D., added, “Centenary University has been a strong component of our summer enrichment and extended school year program for the past 10 years. I strongly believe in the value of school and university partnerships like the one we have maintained with Centenary and I am extremely proud of it.”
