Purdy Americorp reading program unique in SW Missouri
Americorp reading coach, Kindria Brown, above, helps sharpen the reading skills of a Purdy Elembentary third grade student.
March 31, 2021
Sheila Harris
The Americorp reading program, which offers one-on-one coaching to elementary students struggling to master reading skills, has proven to be a boon to both teachers and students in the Purdy R-II School District since its inception in 1999.
Often called the “Stateside Peace Corps,” Americorp is a federal program which provides a monthly living stipend to volunteers in a variety of fields. In the Purdy School District, that field happens to be helping children in grades Kindergarten through Fifth become better readers.
Purdy is one of the only school districts in southwest Missouri who host Americorps volunteers.
Raynel Schallert, of Purdy, the original director for the program, said it began with then elementary principal, Patty Laney, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013.
“Patty was passionate about teaching children to read,” said Schallert.
After obtaining a green light from the school board, a grant request for Americorp was written and later approved.
“Initially, we began with five volunteers,” Schallert said.
That number has since changed. Current director, Renae Neill, who has been in the position for 15 years, says the district currently has ten part-time volunteers who draw a monthly stipend designed to help defray their living expenses. Additionally, volunteers receive an annual education award of about $3,100 per each term of their annual contract, which can be renewed up to four times.
Current Purdy Elementary teacher, Julie Dalton, began her career with the Purdy district as an Americorp volunteer, where, she says, the program changed the course of not only her life, but the lives of the students who received the one-on-one attention.
“We had one student in particular who was struggling with her reading skills when I was a coach,” Dalton said. “That young lady is now an A+ student in high school and has become an Americorp coach herself.
“This program makes a difference,” she continued.
After serving as an Americorp volunteer, Dalton used her education award toward obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education.
Education awards can be used in multiple ways. They can be used to further a volunteer’s education, pay off student debt, or, if the volunteer is over age 55, it can be given to another individual to be used for their education.
There are currently five openings in the Purdy School District for Americorps volunteers for the 2021-2022 school year.
Applications will be accepted through April 5.
Interested individuals may contact Renae Neill at 417-840-0528 or [email protected].
Sheila Harris
The Americorp reading program, which offers one-on-one coaching to elementary students struggling to master reading skills, has proven to be a boon to both teachers and students in the Purdy R-II School District since its inception in 1999.
Often called the “Stateside Peace Corps,” Americorp is a federal program which provides a monthly living stipend to volunteers in a variety of fields. In the Purdy School District, that field happens to be helping children in grades Kindergarten through Fifth become better readers.
Purdy is one of the only school districts in southwest Missouri who host Americorps volunteers.
Raynel Schallert, of Purdy, the original director for the program, said it began with then elementary principal, Patty Laney, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013.
“Patty was passionate about teaching children to read,” said Schallert.
After obtaining a green light from the school board, a grant request for Americorp was written and later approved.
“Initially, we began with five volunteers,” Schallert said.
That number has since changed. Current director, Renae Neill, who has been in the position for 15 years, says the district currently has ten part-time volunteers who draw a monthly stipend designed to help defray their living expenses. Additionally, volunteers receive an annual education award of about $3,100 per each term of their annual contract, which can be renewed up to four times.
Current Purdy Elementary teacher, Julie Dalton, began her career with the Purdy district as an Americorp volunteer, where, she says, the program changed the course of not only her life, but the lives of the students who received the one-on-one attention.
“We had one student in particular who was struggling with her reading skills when I was a coach,” Dalton said. “That young lady is now an A+ student in high school and has become an Americorp coach herself.
“This program makes a difference,” she continued.
After serving as an Americorp volunteer, Dalton used her education award toward obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education.
Education awards can be used in multiple ways. They can be used to further a volunteer’s education, pay off student debt, or, if the volunteer is over age 55, it can be given to another individual to be used for their education.
There are currently five openings in the Purdy School District for Americorps volunteers for the 2021-2022 school year.
Applications will be accepted through April 5.
Interested individuals may contact Renae Neill at 417-840-0528 or [email protected].
