St. Augustine High School (SAHS) was very excited when Janet Hutson, the Executive Director of Learn to Read of St. Johns County, contacted the school about starting a volunteer program with educated, retired professionals from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). SAHS Literacy Coach Melissa Binninger and P.E. teacher and assistant football coach, Mark Shelley coordinated the project with Ann Bostwick, president of AAUW’s St. Augustine Branch, and Janet. By working together, they believed they could create a successful program.

In January, Melissa provided training for interested members of AAUW. The training focused on reading strategies, how to work with small groups, and test-taking tips for the FCAT. The following week, the volunteers were in the classroom working with more than 40 ninth grade students. Nine volunteers from AAUW (including Ann Bostwick) visited St. Augustine High School four times a week to tutor.

According to Melissa, “We feel the program is successful because it supplements the teaching methodologies incorporated by the intensive reading class. The comfortable setting of small group instruction allows students the opportunity to read with peers and discuss questions relating to the passage. In addition to the small group setting, we have placed a strong emphasis on vocabulary instruction. Students also benefit by reading a variety of informative text that addresses the topics discussed in the content areas.”

St. Augustine High School is dedicated to the continuation of the program. They look forward to continuing the program at the beginning of the next school year and hope to extend the program to tenth grade students. By doing so, they can continue to monitor the success of the program. St. Augustine High School, Learn to Read, and AAUW have created a successful program that will hopefully continue throughout the years.