WHO ARE WE? Our adult tutors are passionate about children and literacy!  We care about more than ABCs.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and stations in life.  We are: hard-working professionals, retirees, high school and college students, church, synagogue and mosque members, unaffiliated folks,  singles, parents and grandparents, mother-daughter teams, Texans, and residents of other states and countries. We are a melting pot of people of every race and creed who care deeply about our students and their families.  

WHAT WILL I DO? We partner you with a New Tutor Coach who will guide you through your first month or so of tutoring, and will provide you with roadmaps and resources developed by experienced educators to guide your lessons.  Our students range from those who do not know their letters to fluent readers performing well above grade level but who need vocabulary enrichment, and everyone in between.

We will match you to a student based on your experience, comfort level and availability. We tutor during and after school and even on the weekends. Some McShan students are tutored while they are in school. Some are at home.  All are tutored remotely at this time.  

DO YOU PROVIDE TEACHING MATERIALS? Yes. You will have access to a wide array of online books and teaching materials.  We have videos and how-to guides to get you started and answer questions along the way. 

You may (but are not required) to join one of our many online tutor circles (10 to 12 tutors). Our circles are led by experienced teachers so you can ask questions, share challenges and successes and receive tech support.  We provide periodic observations by experienced tutors to give you feedback. MRH has a dedicated team of volunteer leaders who are focused on helping you become the best tutor you can be.

WHAT DO WE DO? During the school year, we provide one-on-one tutoring for the students of McShan Elementary School, a public school located in Dallas, Texas populated with more than 90% refugee and immigrant students. Some are struggling, some need enrichment.  All benefit from knowing that we care about them. In short, we teach reading fundamentals and the joy of learning. 

McShan Reading Homeroom (MRH) and Saturday School partners with the McShan faculty to enhance the K – 3 classroom experience. We try to engage with our students in ways that make the kids want to come back. Success is when a student says “Can I read another book?”

During July each summer, we expand our reach to include students from throughout the Vickery Meadow area who are referred by their teachers and are needing continuing English immersion during the summer.  During normal times, Vickery Meadow Summer Reading Academy (VMSRA) is classroom style. During the pandemic, we are virtual and one-on-one.

HOW CAN I HELP? We like to say, “If you can read, you can help.”  But MRH is more than reading stories. 

  • One-on-One Tutoring: Our tutors commit to at least 45 minutes of tutoring per week plus lesson planning time.  We are alert to student challenges both in the classroom and at home. Our tutors are comfortable helping to develop reading skills and letting our leadership team know if you sense a child is experiencing learning or emotional difficulties.  
  • Co-Tutoring:  Pair with a friend and co-tutor 2 students.  Don’t have a partner, but want one?  We’ll try to pair you with one.
  • Become an Observer:  Learn our system and help us help our tutors by observing Zoom tutoring sessions and providing feedback. Time commitment is flexible.

HOW DO I TEACH ONLINE? Don’t worry!  We can teach you Zoom basics and provide tech support along the way. 

NOT SURE? Contact us! We can answer questions and arrange for you to observe a tutoring session. Email your questions to mcshanreads@gmail.com

Click here for the Tutor Application Link

McShan Reading Homeroom

McShan Reading Homeroom is delivered during the school year, and will be offered in a hybrid format going forward — that means both in-person (once pandemic recedes), and virtual. Sessions can be at school or at home. Sessions are 45-minutes in length, and follow a prescribed format, tailored to student skill level. All materials are provided.

Vickery Meadow Summer Reading Academy

Vickery Meadow Summer Reading Academy is delivered during the month of July each summer, beginning on the first Monday following Fourth of July through the last day of the month. Twelve prescribed lessons are provided, and when being offered virtually, can be delivered in 45-minutes to two hours segments spread throughout the month at tutor/student scheduling discretion. Once all lessons are completed, enrichment sessions in music, tours of world sites, dance, puppetry, magic, and art are offered for continued education. When in-person, Vickery Meadow Summer Reading Academy is offered classroom-style Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 7am to 12noon four weeks in July. Breakfast and lunch are provided, as well as bus transportation for students from a central location in Vickery Meadow. During class hours, curriculum is English Language immersion, augmented with art, music, magic, puppetry and dance.

Saturday School

On designated Saturdays, the students needing the greatest help are invited to attend four hours of learning, 8am to 12noon, working one-on-one or in groups with dedicated Youth Leaders and Adult tutors. All learning material is provided. Along with Reading and Math, students receive breakfast and 30 minutes of midmorning exercise.