GAIL WHITE TCI workers make Ohio Reads a success story

When Gov. Taft began his Ohio Reads initiative two years ago, his hope was that local businessmen and women would inspire and mentor young children to achieve.
His dream has come true at Bascom Elementary School in Leavittsburg.
When the call for volunteers went out two years ago, workers at the Trumbull Correctional Institution in Warren answered.
More than 25 prison employees underwent Ohio Reads training and were assigned to Bascom, a prekindergarten-through-second-grade facility in the LaBrae School District.
"It's been wonderful," says Jean Morningstar, Bascom principal.
One on one: Working one on one, each Ohio Reads volunteer is assigned a child he will work with throughout the school year.
The program is structured in 30-minute segments, one session a week. However, the structure can be changed according to the volunteer's schedule. Some meet two times a week. Others, every other week for 45 minutes.
Although the structure is flexible, the commitment is not.
"We make sure our volunteers know this is a commitment," Jean explains. "The kids look forward them."
Actually, these children do more than look forward to their Ohio Reads volunteer time; they count the days and hours until their next session.
"They light up when they see their volunteer," says Linda Bailey, Title I teacher at Bascom and Ohio Reads coordinator. She smiles and adds, "The TCI volunteers look the same way."
Truly, these volunteers have found that in giving of their time, they receive much more.
Kathleen Machingo, a TCI volunteer, glows when she talks of her two pupils.
"They are so different. One likes to draw," she says, holding up a picture of flowers that one pupil made for her. "The other one loves to read -- just loves it," she shares, like a proud mother.
It is evident, sitting and talking with this group, that Ohio Reads has become more than a reading program at this school.
It has become a wonderful, powerful, exciting force shaping the lives of young children.
"I can remember every year when I was in school which teacher made the most impact," Kathleen says.
Today, she is making an impact.
"This is the future," Kathleen continues. "What if one of the children I tutor grows up to be a tutor -- or the president of the country."
The first year of the program, 25 pupils were referred by a few teachers at Bascom.
Fast results: Immediately, effects of the program began to show -- not only better grades, but better learning behaviors and self-esteem.
This year, 98 pupils were referred, with 100 percent of the teachers submitting names.
A child needing help with reading is only one aspect of referral.
"Teachers also refer children who just need somebody to see them as special," says Jean. "We believe that a child can't learn unless they are comfortable and happy."
The teachers are noticing these kinds of changes as a result of Ohio Reads as much as improved reading skills.
With these incredible results, Gov. Taft's Ohio Reads initiative can be deemed a rousing success.
Yet, Ohio Reads at Bascom Elementary has had a more profound impact than even the governor could have dreamed.
Inmates help: While the TCI workers volunteer with Ohio Reads, inmates of the high-security prison have found a way to contribute as well.
They have made seven wooden swings for the school's playground. Twenty wooden puzzles and a bookcase have been placed in the school library. A hand-made xylophone sits in the music room.
Most of these men arrived at the prison with less than a fourth-grade reading level. Some, perhaps, never felt "special" to anyone. They have made grave mistakes in their lives.
Now, along with Ohio Reads, they are working to ensure that the pupils at Bascom have every opportunity to achieve their dreams.
gwhite@vindy.com