Thursday, February 28, 2019

Literacy Grant Spotlight: iHeart


Bethanie Pletcher (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) wants to get children reading. Her program, iHeart, which stands for Islanders Helping the Early Acceleration of Readers Together, is a program for kindergarten, first- and second-grade students who struggle with reading. And it’s the recipient of Phi Kappa Phi’s Literacy Grant program, which gives $2,500 to chapters and members for literacy projects.

iHeart’s students go to Kennedy Elementary School, a majority minority school in Corpus Christi, Texas. The program serves about 20 students chosen by classroom teachers. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi undergrads volunteer as tutors to work with the children under Pletcher’s supervision.

“The children enjoy working with their tutors since they are engaged in interesting activities and read books together in a relaxed environment,” she said. The Society’s grant will buy books for iHeart readers.

“The students are in need of high-quality guided reading books that contain bright photos and interesting stories and topics,” Pletcher said. “Having access to these materials would also be an extra incentive for undergraduate teacher candidates to serve as tutors at this school and will provide them with the experience of using these materials in classrooms.”

Phi Kappa Phi awards almost $1 million yearly to deserving students and professionals. Interested in applying for a Literacy Grant? Click here to learn more and apply by April 1.

Photo provided by Bethanie Pletcher – Bethanie Pletcher (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) was 2018 Literacy Grant recipient. Her program serves students at Kennedy Elementary School in Corpus Christi, Texas.

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