Success Stories …
Non Readers: Jeffrey, Lindsay, Matthew, Sam and Harry
Adult Non-reader: Jeff
Non-Reader and Physically Disabled: Raymond
Physically Disabled College Graduate: Tammy
Poor Study Skills: Ann
Exceptional Teachers: Gayle, Judy, Eileen
Matthew is 15 years old with a learning disability. Matthew is very, very angry young man, frustrated and often acts out in class. The school decided that Matthew should be placed in a classroom for students with behavior problems.
Matthew attends a suburban school and cannot read. His parents decided to take action to address his reading ability. Matthew began using RICHARDS READ Systematic Language with his North Coast Tutoring Services tutor. In just ten short weeks Matthew has started to read. In eleven years of school, Matthew had not learned to read.
For the first time in Matthew’s life, he's willing to do his homework independently, without encouragement or urging from his parents. He's become an enthusiastic learner. He participates in sessions with his tutor. Matthew’s tutor noted, “He read particularly loud, so his grandmother in the next room could hear him. He was so proud of his accomplishment.” Matthew has an average intelligence. Matthew is certainly capable of learning provided we teach him using a method that complements his learning style.return-to-top.
Jeff, a 23-year old man, struggled through school with a learning disability. Jeff graduated from high school, yet could not recite the alphabet!
Trapped and tired of living in his private hell -- the inability to read -- Jeff found North Coast Tutoring Services. Just one short year later, Jeff began to read. RICHARDS READ Systematic Phonics was the key. Jeff now reads words with more than one syllable -- words like "combat" or "helmet", and even bigger words. It's quite an accomplishment for a man who attended school for 13 years and was unable to learn the alphabet. Jeff is a man with average intelligence and has a goal to become a cross-country truck driver. Jeff plans to attend classes at a truck driving school in the near future. With some assistance, North Coast Tutoring Services believes Jeff will accomplish his goal and happily drive a big rig cross-country.
When twins, Sam and Harry, were six years old, their mother knew the boys were bright, articulate, and enthusiastic. She recognized their great capacity to learn, but this belief was not shared by their primary school teacher. The teacher believed the boys were not very intelligent and suggested they repeat the first grade.
This teacher had basically given up trying to teach Sam and Harry, telling the mother there was no use trying to get them through the first grade. They were not ready to progress to the second grade.
With great determination, the mother sought help for her boys from North Coast Tutoring Services. When Sam and Harry first started learning RICHARDS READ Systematic Phonics, neither knew the alphabet or the letter sounds. By the end of their first grade school year, both boys passed first grade. At the beginning of second grade, the teacher couldn't believe the boys previously had a reading problem. Sam and Harry were reading at the same level as their classmates.
Believing in Sam and Harry’s potential to learn, the mother observed and worked with her boys. That first grade teacher appeared quite angry and resentful that the mother didn't believe her boys were failures. Thank goodness Mother didn't.
Brenda's son, 12 year old Jeffrey, was unable to read in the 6th grade. Jeffrey’s learning disability teacher tested him, reporting Jeffrey reading at a first grade level. Brenda, astute and seeking a way to help her son, contacted North Coast Tutoring Services. Jeffrey proved he was a ready learner. Eager to participate and learn things like never before – Jeffrey wanted to learn to read.
The tutor recalls, “I vividly remember the first time I met Jeffrey. He was very cooperative and willing to let me figure out how to help him learn. Tears began to stream down his face when I asked him to read simple words like ‘pat’ or ‘dog’ or ‘hop’. He couldn’t… at 12 years old.”
Jeffrey’s family was committed to his success. Driving 40 miles each way to attend North Coast Tutoring Services reading classes, they shared in Jeffrey’s accomplishment. Within, three short years, Jeffrey attended 9th grade and successfully completed history class without assistance. Knowing of Jeffrey’s learning disability, his teacher did not award Jeffrey that wonderful "B" he worked so hard to earn. Jeffrey missed a “B” by 1/10th of a point. Some teachers lack compassion.
Ann, a college student, desperately wanted to complete her education and become a teacher for students with learning disabilities. Ann could read the textbooks well, but was unable to sort through the volumes of information required for college level coursework. Ann devoted a few hours to working with her North Coast Education Services tutor to learn organization and the structure of her textbooks enabling Ann to study more effectively. Learning study skills made a dramatic difference in Ann’s ability to succeed in her studies.
Now 30 years old, Raymond suffered a spinal cord injury in the third grade that left him quadriplegic and unable to continue attending school. When North Coast Tutoring Services met Raymond two years ago, he was reading below the third grade level. With great determination, enthusiasm and energy, Raymond decided to earn a GED. He knew improving his reading skills and facing the complex and complicated GED Test would require hours of study and test preparation. He worked long and hard with his tutor. Raymond’s situation was challenging, overcoming the frustrations of quadriplegia, and building his reading level were no small feat.
Raymond now can read and is anxiously awaiting his opportunity to take the GED test. Raymond wants to tell the world about his success. He is proud of his achievements, and rightly so!
“Gayle is one of the most loving, caring, and enthusiastic teachers I've ever known”, says the President of North Coast Tutoring Services. Gayle’s teaching experience spans 26 years in the Cleveland public schools and illustrates her love for her students and passion for teaching. Gayle often expressed her frustration as many of her students had not learned to read well during the first grade - a very critical time in a child's education. The school district did not support Gayle’s efforts by providing her with the tools, curriculum or skills that proved effective for teaching inner-city students.
A young girl sleeps quietly in the back of Gayle’s classroom. Gayle explained each day this child was permitted to nap during her class. A chaotic home situation made it impossible for her to rest at home. Gentle Gayle provided a little corner in the back of the room to give the child some peace and quiet. Each morning, Gayle would do her best to provide this child’s education, knowing that by afternoon learning would be impossible and exhaustion would overtake the child.
Another student, a young man transferred in mid-year, was extremely angry with whites. Through Gayle's love and compassion, he began to change, prejudice waning, and by year's end he created a tremendous bond with Gayle.
Gayle found RICHARDS READ Systematic Language very effective in her classroom. It gave her renewed passion and enthusiasm because her students were all learning to read, something she desperately wanted and for which she didn't have the tools. Gayle has since retired from the school district, but continues to tutor for North Coast Tutoring Services. Her work with young children and retarded adults, alike, is filled with passion and joy. Gayle’s ability to truly make a difference in student’s lives is her driving force. Gayle credits RICHARDS READ Systematic Language as an effective method to teach reading and give renewed success to her students.
Recently Gayle and a 40 year old male student and his wife were seated together. All three sat with tear-stained eyes as this man spelled one word aloud ... for the first time in his life.
Judy’s enthusiasm, creativity and patience are true gifts of an outstanding teacher. Judy often tutors the toughest situations at North Coast Education Services with great passion. Judy continues working with little Jamie, a child experiencing some severe learning disabilities. Jamie was often unwilling to try, and required constant encouragement and motivation. Judy’s innovations included items like the sequined glove – an effective tool to encourage Jamie. Judy’s reinforcements for Jamie to continue to keep progressing were ongoing. Her determination and drive for Jamie’s success fueled her need to constantly seek news ways, new avenues to reach this young girl.
Eileen, another truly gifted teacher, spent a great deal of energy working with young Diante. The schools had failed tremendously with Diante’s education. Diante spent three years in the 7th grade after being expelled many times. This was no shock as Diante was less than respectful of his teachers. With Eileen, Diante always showed true respect and a quiet sort of love. He recognized that Eileen respected him and cared about him.
Eileen and Diante spent weeks studying how a ruler worked, so one day Diante could understand fractions and measurement. Diante ultimately realized the spaces on the ruler were what indicated units of measurement, not the lines. This was a true revelation for this young man and his face beamed with pride. Eileen also taught Diante to read -- another skill he never learned, even though he was 16 years old.
As a 13-year old retarded young girl, Lindsay's one goal in life was to learn to read. Her tutor remembers Lindsay coming to the session with great determination. “When I tried to identify her skills, I realized that poor Lindsay didn't know a single letter of the alphabet or a single word.” Her tutor, Gayle, patiently began to work with Lindsay and day by day and hour by hour Lindsay began to accomplish her goal.
One may assume teaching Lindsay to read would take hours and hours of Lindsay's life, but with tutoring just three hours a month Lindsay began to read words. Tears streamed down her mother's face as Lindsay was proudly able to read 40 words after only a few sessions with the tutor. Lindsay may never read War and Peace, however she is developing life skills. During one exciting lesson with her tutor, they created a menu to prepare Lindsay for her next visit to a restaurant. Finally, Lindsay would be able to read some of the words on the menu on her own. What a gift!
Tammy was referred to North Coast Education Services by her counselor at ORSC/BVR for Job Placement Services. During the NCES intake interview, it was evident immediately that Tammy was a special person.
A pretty, 28 year old woman, Tammy was in a nasty accident about 10 years previously. Sadly, the accident left her paralyzed (quadriplegic) with limited use of her left hand. In spite of this tremendous handicap, Tammy graduated from Ursuline College in Cleveland, Magna Cum Laude with a 3.86 average and a degree in Business Administration.
When NCES began job development activities for Tammy, it proved to be a difficult task … results were less than encouraging. With determination, NCES discovered a California company looking for a degreed tutor to instruct Korean children in conversational English, by phone in Korea.
This job sounded perfect for Tammy and NCES contacted this job prospect. After several interviews, Tammy was tested on a sample lesson plan… and then hired!
Tammy’s job is to talk with young Korean students to refine their conversational English skills and learn about our country and our culture. This is Tammy’s first job, she loves it and she works hard. After over a year with her employer, the company is delighted with Tammy’s performance, and the children enjoy the conversation with Tammy.
Before working with NCES, Tammy used her desk-top computer and voice recognition software provided with help of RSC/BVR and other Ohio agencies.
After Tammy explained that a laptop computer would provide more flexibility and increase her effectiveness on the job, NCES brainstormed solutions with our business contacts. After several days, a very special contact donated an IBM laptop computer for Tammy. To enhance the performance of the laptop, NCES engaged BVR to fund a special trackball and touch pad. The laptop enables Tammy to work from bed, as well as from her wheel chair. Tammy can only tolerate sitting upright each day for a few hours. These accommodations enable Tammy to be more productive and more self-sufficient.
After learning Tammy had never been to see the Cleveland Indians baseball game or any professional sports event, a NCES friend on the Indians’ staff came to the front. “Pick a date” he said. The Indians were delighted to have Tammy as their guest and treated her like a queen for the late August game. It was a fabulous day for Tammy in every way: the Indians won, beating Tampa Bay; the weather was perfect; Tammy was on the field during batting practice; then seated behind home plate; rookie pitcher Cliff Lee talked with Tammy; Indian’s star, Omar Vizquel, stopped for a long chat, even Slider, the Indian’s mascot, came around to say hello.
