The Chimacum Creek Literacy Program is interested in adding 20 reading tutors to its existing team of 25, assisting pre-kindergarten through first-grade classroom teachers at the Chimacum Creek Primary School, and the American Association of University Women is asking members of the surrounding community if they can help out.

The AAUW has sponsored this program since 2006, and Katherine DeForest Evans, who handles publicity for the AAUW of Port Townsend, touted it as an opportunity  to obtain “a fresh outlook” in the New Year, by sitting alongside Chimacum kindergarteners “as they discover the magic of reading,” which she said might remind volunteers of “your own youthful excitement.”

DeForest Evans explained that volunteers are asked to commit to just one hour per week, working with individuals or small groups of readers, which she touted as yielding a “profound” collective impact, totaling hundreds of hours per year towards local literacy.  

“Teachers face a broad range of skill levels amongst their students, especially after the pandemic,” DeForest Evans said. “Some children are already voracious readers, while others are just learning the alphabet.”

Chimacum Creek Primary School kindergarten teachers Devon Beckham and Courtney Mosher agreed with DeForest Evans about the benefits of the volunteers’ presence and efforts.

“The volunteers enrich the learning experience,” Beckham said. “They provide one-on-one tutoring, so that children can engage at their own levels.”

“The reading tutors play an important role, by giving special attention and support to help students succeed,” Mosher said.

Patrick Murphy started out as an AAUW reading volunteer, and discovered a love of teaching that took his career in a whole new direction, as he’s now a first-grade teacher.

“Volunteers help kids find and develop new connections, and make their efforts to read more meaningful and purposeful,” Murphy said.

“It is amazing to see the progress children make in just one year,” volunteer Judith Bloch said. “They start with learning their alphabet, and by the end of the year, many are writing full sentences. They are so proud of their achievements.”

Volunteer Marcey Szablya added, “Watching the kids just lifts my day.”

Although AAUW membership is open to everyone, you do not need to be an AAUW member to participate in this program.

“The only requirements are a love of children and a love of reading,” AAUW Port Townsend Volunteer Coordinator Christine de Vries said.

For more information, you may call de Vries at 201-290-4761, or visit aauwpt.org online.