Testimonials

Name: Bridgette Davis
Email Address: bdavis@lincoln.k12.ar.us
Your Story: Our 8th grade Literacy scores on the benchmark test were the highest our school has ever achieved, at 82% proficient and advanced! Literacy Lab had a major impact on that success. Nearly all of our teachers have been Lit Lab trained, and when the model is fully implemented, we see the most success. This is at a school where 70% of the students are in poverty. This is a school where kids move in and out like the wind. Thank you, Mr. Stamatis, and thank you to my district for investing in this program for our teachers and students.
Name: Jami Anne Balkman
Email Address: jbalkman@almasd.net
Your Story: This past year, I taught our summer CPEP course to help prepare our highschoolers for the ACT. As part of the course I incorporated Lit Lab philosophy by drowning them in print & novels in an effort to improve their engagement. I spent hours trying to match books to kids and getting them to read. While Christmas shopping later in the year, one of the kids stopped me to say hello in a store. She was shopping with her mother and very politely introduced us. Suddenly, her mother's eyes lit up and she said, "I want to thank you. My husband & I were talking just the other day about the miracle that happened last summer. We used to beg (her) to read, but she hated it. Now we catch her hiding a light under her covers so she can finish the novel she's reading. I don't know what you did, but we owe you a huge debt." It made my eyes mist over to know I'd made that kind of a difference for that family. Most importantly, that student's ACT score in reading increased 5 points, making her eligible for scholarships that had been out of reach. What a blessing! Thanks Kenny!
Name: Jimma Holder
Email Address: jimmaholder@yahoo.com
Your Story: Our high school began Lit Lab last summer. We instituted only the engagement piece this year. Our students have read this year like never before. Our 11th grade literacy scores went form 51% P&A to 66% Wow! Thanks!
Name: Mindy Emmert
Email Address: mindyerinn@yahoo.com
Your Story: This is my second year in Lit Lab. Last year at parent-teacher conferences, I had a parent start off our meeting by demanding, "What have you done to my daughter?" I tensed up, thinking, "Hoo boy, here we go..." However, the parent was thrilled because her daughter had always hated reading before, but now she can't get her to put books away. She said all she does is beg for books at the store now. Many other parents made similar comments. I'm still learning, so I don't know that I did the model exactly right, but hearing those parents (not to mention the kids themselves) was enough to let me know that something great was happening!
Name: Sarah Cowart
Email Address: scowart@hartford.wsc.k12.ar.us
Your Story: In my 7th and 8th grade Language Arts classroom, I began reading workshop with kids who hated to read at the beginning of the year. Within the first few weeks, my students were reading left and right! My biggest accomplishment was when my principal came up to me and complimented my teaching and said, "I don't know exactly what you've done, but my daughter is actually reading. We had to make her put her book up in church Sunday!" This was a student who despised reading but now enjoys it. She wasn't the only one. There were others who enjoyed it so much. Not to mention, our scores went up! Literacy Lab works. I now work with grades K-8 and I still go in to their classrooms as the Literacy Coach and do book talks with them. They get so excited when I enter the room, because they know I'm there to discuss an awesome book with them!
Name: Cynthia Harmon
Your Story: Literacy Lab has changed my classroom dramatically. Students want to read and can't wait to share good books with anyone who will listen. Lit Lab has made teaching reading fun again!