Help 2nd graders develop a love of reading!
Partners in Reading and Compañeros en Lectura are second grade reading programs in English and bilingual classrooms. Weekly, a team of volunteers works with a small group of students and makes words come alive through stories, poems, and plays.
Fluent Spanish-speaking volunteers are in high need for the Compañeros en Lectura program.
Reading Classroom Coaches share
their joy of reading with students.
their joy of reading with students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I do as a Reading Classroom Coach in Partners in Reading / Compañeros en Lectura?
What is the difference between Partners in Reading and Compañeros en Lectura? Are they two different programs?
Where will I work with my students?
What level of Spanish is necessary to participate in Compañeros en Lectura?
How do I know if I am making a difference?
What volunteer training is offered?
What reading materials are provided?
How does APIE support volunteers?
At which schools can I volunteer?
How can I sign up to be a Reading Classroom Coach?
What will I do as a Reading Classroom Coach in Partners in Reading / Compañeros en Lectura?
Reading Classroom Coaches work with the same group of 2-4 students once a week for 45 minutes. During the session, volunteers and students use poems, plays, stories, and other texts to study vocabulary, improve fluency, and work on comprehension. Volunteering occurs during the class day in the classroom throughout the year for a total of approximately 24 sessions. Teachers tell us volunteers in the classroom provide both academic and social benefits to the students.
Volunteer training and materials are provided in advance. You will work with the same students each week to build important mentoring relationships.
The teacher is available for support throughout the class period. Every student in the class participates, so every student benefits.
The teacher is available for support throughout the class period. Every student in the class participates, so every student benefits.
What is the difference between Partners in Reading and Compañeros en Lectura? Are they two different programs?
The major difference between the two programs is that Compañeros en Lectura uses Spanish language materials in bilingual classrooms. The programs operate similarly in all other regards.
Where will I work with my students?
Classroom Coaching occurs in the classroom with the teacher present. Coaches work independently with their groups. Teachers provide support on curriculum or behavior management as needed.
What level of Spanish is needed for volunteers to participate?
Compañeros en Lectura volunteers need to have at least an intermediate level of Spanish so that they can meaningfully converse and discuss vocabulary and comprehension.
How do I know I am making a difference?
The joy on your students' faces when you walk in the room each week is the most obvious sign that your visit is meaningful and valued. Teachers report that their students regularly ask with great anticipation: "Is this the day my reading buddy is coming?"
Survey responses show that 100% of teachers feel Partners in Reading/Compañeros en Lectura has a positive impact on their students.
Quantitative measures provide further evidence of the positive impact volunteers have on students' reading abilities. Evaluation shows that show that 7% more Partners in Reading students were reading on grade level compared to demographically similar students. Program Successes
Survey responses show that 100% of teachers feel Partners in Reading/Compañeros en Lectura has a positive impact on their students.
Quantitative measures provide further evidence of the positive impact volunteers have on students' reading abilities. Evaluation shows that show that 7% more Partners in Reading students were reading on grade level compared to demographically similar students. Program Successes
What volunteer training is offered?
Reading Coaches learn to engage groups of second graders in reading to improve their reading fluency and comprehension, and to expand their knowledge.
Reading Training Agenda
During an initial 2 hour training, volunteers learn
• the role of fluency and vocabulary in helping with comprehension.
• how to model and guide students in fluent reading
• how to use the materials on a weekly basis, etc.
Trainings throughout the school year address more specific topics of volunteer interest.
• the role of fluency and vocabulary in helping with comprehension.
• how to model and guide students in fluent reading
• how to use the materials on a weekly basis, etc.
Trainings throughout the school year address more specific topics of volunteer interest.
What reading materials are provided?
Volunteers receive a binder to guide them through the weekly sessions with the students. Each session includes reading and discussion, a word study, and fluency practice. Students also receive a binder that includes all the poems, plays, stories, and other texts that students read during the year.
Sample Curriculum
How does APIE support volunteers?
Program Coordinators provide training, visit classrooms, and are available to answer questions and provide suggestions and tips between sessions via phone and email.
Classroom Coaches also support each other. Often, coaches meet for a few minutes before or after classes to share experiences, successes, and challenges.
Classroom Coaches also support each other. Often, coaches meet for a few minutes before or after classes to share experiences, successes, and challenges.
At which schools can I volunteer?
Allison Elementary: PIR & CEL (South East)
Barrington Elementary: PIR (North)
Becker Elementary: PIR & CEL (South Central)
Blackshear Elementary: PIR & CEL (East Central)
Brooke Elementary: PIR & CEL (East Central)
Dawson Elementary: PIR & CEL (South Central)
Norman Elementary: PIR (East)
Oak Springs Elementary: PIR (East)
Odom Elementary: PIR & CEL (South)
Pecan Springs Elementary: PIR & CEL (East)
Pillow Elementary: PIR & CEL (North)
St. Elmo Elementary: PIR (South)
Sanchez Elementary: PIR & CEL (East Central)
Travis Heights Elementary: PIR & CEL (South Central)
Wooldridge Elementary: PIR & CEL (North)
Wooten Elementary: PIR & CEL (North)
How can I sign up to be a Reading Classroom Coach?
Choose Partners in Reading or Compañeros en Lectura from the Program choice box and select a school or an area of town.
Program Contacts:
Partners in Reading
Sandy Bootz, Program Manager, sbootz@austinpartners.org, 512-637-0975
Compañeros en Lectura
Miriam Mendoza, Program Coordinator, mmendoza@austinpartners.org, 512.637.0973
Sandy Bootz, Program Manager, sbootz@austinpartners.org, 512-637-0975
Compañeros en Lectura
Miriam Mendoza, Program Coordinator, mmendoza@austinpartners.org, 512.637.0973
