Kellie Carter is getting ready to host and lead a free summer session for rising first-graders.When you walk into the Eastdale Youth and Family Development Center you may notice that there’s a different kind of wallpaper.
Instead of floral prints or patterns, dozens of computer printed certificates are taped from end to end. The certificates represent kids and adults from the neighborhood who have successfully participated in the citywide Lexia Reading program.
One area resident, Kellie Carter, noticed those achievements and decided to build on the momentum with a summer program for rising first-graders. The free program will help students develop grade-level math and reading skills along with strategies for learning, she explained.
Carter, who has a master’s degree in education policy and leadership, said at that age it can be difficult for students to express that they are having trouble. So in addition to learning things like days of the week, money values and sight words for reading, students will learn when and how to express that they don’t understand a concept or that they need something repeated.
“I want these students to enter the classroom ready to learn,” Carter said. “Education is power. What I know, I want to share with people so they can do better for themselves.”