Winter aids students' support in Minnesota Reading Corps

Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC) is a program that is working to provide extra support for students with reading struggles. The MRC recruits and trains members of AmeriCorps who are available around the state, including in schools, to provide this support.

Members of the MRC will commit to a full year of service and are rewarded not only with valuable experience, but also with many other benefits as being a part of the organization.

Jess Winter, a 2007 graduate, is currently a part of this organization. While here at Augustana, Winter was involved in various clubs and organizations around campus, including acting as editor of Venture for two years, arts editor of Edda for a year, Writers Guild president for three years, founder and editor of Expression for two years and a KAUR DJ for four years.

"Working on Venture with Jess was one of the most enjoyable parts of my sophomore year here at Augie," said senior Paula  Lemar. "She is just one of the most enthusiastic and creative people I have ever worked with. I'm honored that she entrusted Venture and Writer's Guild to me. I hope I have done her proud."

Winter knew since high school that she wanted to be a part of a service organization. After looking at and deciding against the Peace Corps, she found AmeriCorps. After choosing this organization, she began searching its Web site for things she would be interested in doing. She, at the time, was mobile, and her only want was to go somewhere she hadn't lived, therefore choosing Minneapolis.

"I chose this program because I love books a lot, but more importantly, it is the foundation for all other education," Winter said. "If you are unable to read, one will continually struggle throughout life."

Winter is also one of the editors for Literacy Landscapes, which is a newsletter that discusses MRC services. She said there are many other obligations that she has as a member, such as fulfilling a certain amount of volunteer hours and being engaged in her community. This gives her the opportunity to volunteer with many great people.

Winter is currently a Big Sister, teaches poetry after school and teaches creative writing to the physically disabled. Also, she was able to take part in Lead Peace, which teaches compassion and creating social change with eighth graders which teaches compassion and creating social change. This is Winter's second year with the program, and she will be done in July 2009.

Winter's typical day begins at 7:30 a.m., as she enjoys getting to work before the rush. She will generally make some tea, listen to some Andrew Bird and plan what she will be doing for the day for each child.

The children begin to arrive at 8:30 a.m., and she will then wander around making sure they have all eaten breakfast. After this, she begins 20-minute tutoring sessions with the children that will last until about 3 p.m. After all of this, she enters all the student data work.

Winter said the best part of her job is the kids. "I love the kids I work with. They all have their own little personalities," she said. "The best part is seeing them get excited about reading and genuinely wanting to be tutored."

She says that because she works with kids in North Minneapolis, in the very inner city, it is evident that she is needed.

"When the kids I work with are reading two grade levels below, it really hurts watching them stuggle," Winter said. This is when you become creative, she said, making learning not like work and giving them rewards and endless amounts of encouragement.

"To watch them improve is an amazing thing to be able to witness," Winter said.