Lessons Go Both Ways for Horned Frogs Helping Young Readers Succeed

Very few college students got there without a mentor along the way. And none of them got there without learning to read.  

TCU has been working alongside Reading Partners North Texas, a nonprofit organization engaging community volunteers to provide elementary students with individualized reading support, since 2018. 

“Dozens of students give back each year to local kids, helping them to improve their reading skills as they grow in their education,” said Bryan Partika, coordinator of Leadership & Experiential Learning at TCU.  

“The TCU students love doing it, as it’s an opportunity where students can form mentoring relationships with local kids while also being a positive role model of Horned Frogs serving others,” he said.  

It turns out, the college students are learning just as much as the elementary students.  

“Conversations with these students have increased my awareness of aspects of my own life – such as stable housing, access to healthy food and reliable transportation – that I hadn’t thought deeply about before,” senior Cherokee Wooley said. 

“I learned that differences don’t divide us but rather create space for mutual growth and understanding,” said the biology major, who has been volunteering since 2023. “This experience has inspired me to continue engaging with my community.” 

Jennifer Quick, executive director of Reading Partners North Texas, explained that the TCU students work one-on-one with a student in kindergarten through fourth grade for the duration of the school year.

The TCU volunteers complete a 90-minute training in Reading Partners’ curriculum, delivered either in-person, on a self-study virtual module or in a live Zoom session. The tutors also have staff support from Reading Partners for their first several tutoring sessions and as needed.  

The tutoring is conducted in both in-person and virtual formats, which eliminates barriers for students who don’t have access to a car.  

“The kids are so jazzed to be working with the super cool college kids, the ice is broken pretty quickly and easily,” Quick said. “And so many of the volunteers are naturals. They’re really great at working with the kids.” 

Bailee Broadus, another senior biology major, has been volunteering for a year. Her favorite part of tutoring is getting to see the smile on a student’s face when they accomplish a new skill. 

“I loved seeing the week-to-week progress that my student made,” she said.  

Quick said she finds that the college students learn a lot about themselves in the process.  

“They’re navigating those interpersonal skills at that age when they’ll be transitioning to being able to do that in a workplace,” she said.  

Then there’s the benefit to the young students that goes beyond reading.  

“Very few kids get 45 minutes of undivided attention from an adult twice a week,” Quick said. “Having that attention and focus on them does wonders for their self-esteem and confidence.” 

For more information about getting involved in TCU’s service and volunteer programs, visit the TCU Volunteer Opportunities page or email b.partika@tcu.edu. To learn more about Reading Partners North Texas, visit their website.