From Struggle to Strength: A 7th Grader’s Perspective
In the spring of 2019, Evan, a 7th grader from KIPP Academy took the stage at the Annual Dinner for the Children's Literacy Project to share his story. CLP first met Evan when he was in 5th grade. At that time, he was reading well below grade level and often acted out in the classroom.
The words he shared that evening in 2019 to a room filled with volunteers, donors, and friends of the organization told the tale of his remarkable transformation. His speech, prepared with the help his CLP tutor, Susan Michaels, is transcribed below:
"At the beginning of fifth grade, I couldn't read at all. I worried a teacher would ask me to read aloud or answer questions. I used to think that kids would laugh at me. I never did my homework because I couldn't. I was always on the bench. At KIPP-Durham, that meant I was in trouble. I had to wear a white shirt or sweatshirt and couldn't talk in the hallway or at lunch. And I always got F's in all my classes.
In fifth grade, when Mrs. Michaels would ask me to read, I would tell her, 'I can't,' or 'I don't know.' She would tell me she would never ask me to read something I didn't know how to read and that I wasn't allowed to say, 'I can't,' or 'I don't know.’ In sixth grade, I would say, 'That's too long,' and she would tell me I wasn't allowed to say that either.
I am in seventh grade now, and I'm not worried that a teacher will pick me to read in class. I even volunteer to read aloud and raise my hand to answer questions. I can do my homework, so I do it every day. Now, I just need to remember to turn it in. I don't get in trouble very often anymore. And I can get A's and B's on my assignments.
When I'm not in school, I can read to my baby sister and help her with her homework. Using a map, I can read signs and directions on where I'm going. Knowing how to read helps me play video games and type on the computer. I can Google stuff now.
I have also learned to do things that kids in my class, and even my big sister, don't know how to do. I'm the only one in my class who can write in cursive. The first time I wrote my name in cursive in front of my big sister, she couldn't believe it. She asked me, 'How do you know how to do that?' This year, I showed her how to look up words in the dictionary to find out how to spell them.
Now that I can read, I feel more confident. I can give a speech in front of lots of people. I can be successful."
Certainly, a significant change has happened in Evan's life. His success, as shared in his speech, reflects not only his hard work, but the commitment of volunteer tutors like Susan, trained and supported by the Children's Literacy Project. Transformations like Evan's highlight how our work impacts the lives of many underserved children, giving them the chance to succeed in both school and life.
