As a first generation immigrant to this country, my knowledge, pronunciation and accent was differerent than the majority. I had to learn the “correct way” thru trial, error and sometimes embarrassment. SMART has given me an opportunity to save the minority children that I read to from this setback.
stories from the SMART community:
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Story from:
Annie Thomas, Deschutes County
My worst moment with SMART came a few years ago when the program was no longer available in all Redmond schools. My best moment with SMART comes when I am able to connect with two children weekly for seven months. It is the joy of my week to listen to them read or cry because of Read More ›
Story from:
Pennie Burns, Hood River County
I moved to Oregon from San Diego, Calif. about three years ago. Soon after I began to hear about the SMART program and it really captured my interest. I was a high school teacher for 35 years in San Diego County, and I know about the effects of poor reading ability and low interest in reading. Read More ›
Story from:
Phylis Marsh, Umatilla County
1. One little girl so shy she would not look at me or talk at first, she did begin to read and about the middle of the year asked “can we have a sleep over at your house?” 2. One little girl would read “Silly Sally” with her eyes closed. 3. One of my first Read More ›
Story from:
Cheri
The twinkle in the student’s eyes as they share with me their new book makes my heart soar. Then there is the eagerness for those students who have been on the waiting list, “I want to go! Send me! Send me!” Such fun!!!
Story from:
Michelle Gilmore, Multnomah County
I had the PLEASURE of reading with one of the most dynamic kids I have ever met! Her name is Arianna and she seems to know everyone in her school-the older students, the cool kids, the younger students, all of the teachers, everyone. We read together when she was in 2nd and 3rd grades. Every Read More ›
Story from:
Darcie Esch, Multnomah County
Imagine no one read to you as a child. Not because your parents or caregivers couldn’t read, or didn’t think it was important. But because they were deaf. One of my first “SMART kids” was just that, a 2nd grader who had no one at home reading to him. I hope the way I read Read More ›
Story from:
Wyatt S. Miles, Lane County
I spent some time in the SMART program for about a year while I lived in Roseburg, Ore. It was so much fun to sit down and read with the kids. The program directors were so amazing and had a real love for reading and even more for the children. I’ve never done volunteer work Read More ›
Story from:
Cleve Twitchell, Jackson County
I have been a SMART reader for 17 years. About eight years ago I was walking at the Rogue Valley Mall in Medford when a young man about 13 years old emerged from a store and gave me a high-five. I had no idea who he was at the time. Later I figured I must Read More ›
Wainanwit Schroeder
My story begins with my daughter Laura and it is actually her story. In 2008 she was told by her doctors she would need a kidney transplant. So on January 30, 2009, she received her kidney transplant and the school, teachers and employees were kept informed of her status. A couple of weeks after her Read More ›