Growing Readers creates lasting impact for grads, parents say

Kids once struggling are now thriving. They’re reading above their grade level, and they’re getting higher scores on IREAD tests.  

The impact of Growing Readers carries on long after the lessons, parents say. 

Since Elkhart Public Library started the reading tutoring program in 2022, more than 150 students have worked with certified educators. 

Sonya Overman, program coordinator, developed Growing Readers after years of teaching in classrooms. The tutoring sessions include parents to reinforce the learning at home. The certified teachers working as tutors meet students where they are and work with them to read at grade level. 

Parents brought their kids because they had concerns or simply wanted to set their students up to be as confident as possible before heading into the classroom. 

We caught up with some of the earliest graduates to see how they are doing three years later. The stories have been edited for clarity and length, but they demonstrate the impact Growing Readers makes for young learners in the Elkhart area. 

Find out if Growing Readers is right for your child by clicking here.

“I found Growing Readers through Explore magazine. I wanted to help Elizabeth have a more solid foundation going into kindergarten. She did it for about six months or so. It set her up to be as successful as she is now. It reinforced everything that someone needs to have skills to be a reader. It gave her confidence.  
“Sonya is so kind and knowledgeable, she learned Elizabeth’s strengths. Lesson plans that kept Elizabeth so motivated and excited. She didn’t realize it was like another school. The way Sonya does the program is so much fun. It reinforced the things that Elizabeth needed to work on. Every single week it was something different and new. Sonya is so incredible with those kids. She find that spark in them that lights up, connects and helps them get it. I couldn’t recommend it more to any parent.  
“Elizabeth is above her grade level in reading. She’s reading all the time. We are reading Harry Potter together, she’s reading chapter books and I love that for her. It set her up for success for now and for years to come.”  
– Jessica Bailey 

“Just being a mom and I wanted to get my kids in the best position to learn. It was me being proactive, let’s go and have fun. Overall, it did help. I was able to be around while they were doing the lessons. They were giving me tips and tricks to help the kids at home. It’s easier for us (as parents) to get impatient and Sonya is so patient.  
“It was well worth it. All my kids did well on the IREAD and we still love coming up to the library and getting graphic novels and things.”  
– Keonshay Brown, mom of graduates Christon, 8, Keshay, 9 and Kmira, 11 

“Mario went through Growing Readers when he was in kindergarten, at age 5. Now he will be in third grade this fall. He likes to read and is reading at a fifth-grade level. His younger brother Dylan (age 7) has been going for two months. You see the difference. It’s individual help, they focus on the kid and make it in the best way to help the individual.”  
– Mireya Adame