Ready Readers volunteer stories.

Regional Volunteer Awards.

“Sally Johns is a caring Ready Reader volunteer who can be depended upon to read with eight students every week.” Laidley District SS

“Desley Miller is a Ready Reader volunteer who has driven down the Toowoomba range once a week to support the students at Grantham State School with reading. She also spends time in the afternoon volunteering with other chores such as covering library books. We appreciate the time and dedication Desley has given to students and staff at Grantham State School.” Grantham SS

“Jack & Esme Burnie have been Ready Reader volunteers in our school since the commencement of the Ready Reader Program. During this time they have generously volunteered their time to support the growth of Literacy across our junior school. Jack & Esme regularly support reading tutoring in the junior classrooms and they do so in a very cheerful manner. They take their role seriously and enjoy fostering a love of learning with our juniors. The staff and students of Middle Ridge do appreciate all their efforts for improving learning outcomes at Middle Ridge!” Middle Ridge SS

Hervey Bay Ready Readers trained.

Volunteers from the Hervey Bay area have received training in the Ready Readers support package at a two day workshop at Hervey Bay Special School on 10-11 June.

The training was well received and nine volunteers received their Certificate of Completion. Participants are now undergoing the screening process before being placed in Hervey Bay State Schools in Semester 2.

Maryborough Ready Readers.

Maryborough’s Carol and Jocelyn have recently participated in a two day volunteer training workshop and are looking forward to being placed in local schools in Semester 2 to take up their Ready Readers role.

Both retired from busy professions and looking for community involvement, Carol and Jocelyn are keen to share and foster their love of reading with children.

Jocelyn reads to her grandchildren in the evenings on Webcam where she gets out books from the library to match the ones her grandchildren get from school. They love to practice their spelling and reading and I love to share their excitement as they discover this new skill, she said.

The volunteer training has given me an insight into current reading processes and strategies for assisting children with reading, Carol said.

Jocelyn and Carol are eager to put their training into practice to assist and encourage children to improve their confidence and enthusiasm for reading.

Toowoomba Ready Readers.

Jack & Esme Burnie taught in boarding schools in Charters Towers, Brisbane and Toowoomba for almost forty years. They are now in their sixteenth year of retirement.

They have four wonderful grandchildren aged from four to fifteen. Jack and Esme have enjoyed a close relationship with them and one of their pleasures has been seeing their love of reading develop through the interest shown to them by their parents and grandparents.

Unfortunately Jack and Esme do not see as much of their younger grandchildren as they live in Europe and contact with them is limited to once or twice a year. During visits they enjoy being able to read to and with them and feel that through the Queensland Ready Readers program they could extend this to other children.

Ready Reader interviews.

A new round of training was held in Toowoomba on the 17 and 18 of August. Toowoomba already has a number of Ready Readers in schools as it was one of the initial trial areas. Feedback from the volunteers already placed has been very positive, and the latest Ready Reader graduates are also looking forward to their placements.

Holly

Explain in your own words what you gained from the training.

The training was fantastic; it covered a wide range of different topics and provided us with great information. You learn everything you need to know to become a Ready Reader.

What motivated you to volunteer?

I really wanted to apart of a volunteer program that linked with my current studies. I wanted a program that would assist and expand my learning of becoming a teacher.

What do you hope to get out of being a Ready Reader?

I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Education and wanted to get more experience within the classroom environment. The Ready Readers program links nicely with my degree. I think that becoming a Ready Reader will also allow for me learn reading and teaching techniques that I can incorporate into my future teaching career, it will defiantly be invaluable experience.

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a Ready Reader?

DO IT! It is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in schools and give back to the community. It is a motivating and rewarding program. Plus the great thing is it doesn’t matter what age you are either, anyone can become a Ready Reader.

What do you hope young readers will gain from your involvement?

I really hope that young readers will become more involved in reading and find more enjoyment from reading experiences. I endeavour to make reading a more enjoyable experience for young readers.

Cindy

Explain in your own words what you gained from the training.
I learnt the correct techniques to assist others to improve their reading skills. This in turn engenders a joy for reading.

What motivated you to volunteer?
My husband is 45 and still struggles to read. He got lost in the system while attending school. I feel all children should have the opportunity to enjoy reading so that it is not a burden or scary to them.

What do you hope to get out of being a Ready Reader?
Enjoyment and feeling good about doing something for others. I also hope it helps me with my confidence and self esteem.

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a Ready Reader?
Give it a go! Reading shouldn’t be burden for anyone.

What do you hope young readers will gain from your involvement?
Confidence to read and not be afraid of it. This will then help them throughout their whole life as reading is used in every day life.

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