The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Literacy Lab program is making a significant impact on the local community by empowering both young students and aspiring educators. This innovative program involves multiple cohorts of UWSP students traveling to local elementary schools to provide essential literacy instruction to elementary school students.
A Unique Partnership at Jefferson Elementary
One cohort of UWSP students currently collaborates with the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County to offer an after-school Literacy Lab at Jefferson Elementary School in Stevens Point. This partnership provides additional support to students who may need extra help outside of regular school hours, and recently won the Boys & Girls Club Community Award.
Angela Voss, Director of Operations for Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, emphasized the benefits of this partnership.
“Being able to have this extra time where students are getting this one-on-one attention from these college students is really helping make gains in their literacy performance,” Voss said. “It is just this perfect dual benefit where our students are benefiting, both elementary students and college students, and I don’t think you could ask for a better partnership.”
Molly Demrow, the principal of Jefferson Elementary, expressed her gratitude for the program.
“I think it’s great…our students benefit, our parents really appreciate having additional support for our students…and so having (UWSP) close by just means we benefit from that extra support,” she said.
Polly Manske, a School of Education professor at UWSP, highlighted the program’s positive impact on her students’ overall development as teachers.
“This is where theory meets practice,” Manske said. “This class is all about helping them gain confidence and self-efficacy to go out in the field and really be confident literacy instructors.”
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A Collaborative Effort at Washington Elementary
Two additional cohorts of students are stationed at Washington Elementary School, where they work closely with young learners to enhance their literacy skills.
Jacob Barth, a UWSP senior majoring in elementary education, praised the program, saying, “We are really lucky to have this program. We get to build those lesson plans and get to assess these kids and see their growth week after week, interacting with them as we are also learning as they are learning.”
Another UWSP student, Taylor Baehman, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the fun nature of the program and how it helps students prepare for the real world.
“From what I can tell, a lot of the kids really love it…and being able to learn in a fun and engaging way,” Baehman said. “It benefits us to be able to look at the bigger picture in real time with supervision so we know that we are on the right track.”
The UWSP Literacy Lab program is a shining example of how Wisconsin’s 13 public universities can collaborate — with local schools, community organizations, and businesses — to create learning opportunities with impact. By providing targeted literacy support and fostering a love of reading, this program is empowering young learners, while also preparing the next generation of teachers to make a positive difference in the lives of children.
Hear testimonials from program administrators, professors and student educators here:
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