Reading Progress Celebrations Quotes

Michael

I’m writing about how my tutor Suzanne helped prepare me for the G.E.D. test. Suzanne is a volunteer through BoulderReads!, a program of the Boulder Public Library. I’m currently incarcerated in the Boulder County Jail. I never obtained my high school diploma and wanted to get my G.E.D. When I first got to the jail I took a G.E.D. pretest. The results of that pretest indicated I needed to refresh my memory on several different subjects. After a month of working with Suzanne I felt I was ready to take the official Graduate Equivalency Diploma test. On April 18th, 2007 I passed that test and now have my G.E.D. It feels great and has opened doors for my future. That’s my greatest accomplishment while working on my studies with my tutor Suzanne. I thank Suzanne for her help and think the program is great. Now if I hear of anyone that needs help preparing for their Graduate Equivalency Diploma test, I will inform them of the program.

Norma

I read some books to my 8 year old daughter. She liked the story called “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie”, especially when the mouse cut his mustache with small scissors.

Pam

I have been in Boulder Reads! for a little over a year. When I started I could not read or spell. I knew very few words. We started with vowels and 1st grade books. Now I am reading 3rd grade books. Now I can read thousands of words. I am so excited for my progress that I have made. Now I can read to my daughter. My goal is to get my G.E.D. I am so happy with my teacher. She has helped a lot.
I have been in the Boulder Reads program for 7 years. I am proud that I have learned to read more clearly and that I enjoy reading in English. I like to read mysteries and I also like to read funny stories and romances.

Concepcion

This past year I have learned to write better and learned to speak better English. I am happy that I can now figure out what a word means by reading it in a sentence even if I didn’t know it before. I love to come to the book club and discuss the books we have read. I like to hear the views and opinions the other students have about the books. Thanks to my tutor Pat and the program for assisting me.

Lee

I have been in the program since April of ’05. BoulderReads! has given me the tools to start reading again for the first time since a bad car accident in 1990. Things were pretty rough for awhile and I started getting in trouble. I lost confidence in myself and spent some time in jail. I have faith in myself now that I am beginning to understand my mail and important papers, and am making better choices. I thank the good Lord that I began coming to BoulderReads!

Lorena

This program helps me because when my daughter was growing up she went to Crestview School. She needed help with her homework. I couldn’t help her because I didn’t speak, read or write English. Now I am learning a lot in BoulderReads! with my tutor Tom for five months. He is an excellent person. My tutor Tom helps me with reading, cursive writing and speaking English. Before I met Tom I was a very timid person. Now my life is different because my English has improved. Now sometimes I can help my daughter with her homework.

Sadija

Four of my accomplishments are: 1) Getting a job at Macy’s this March 2) Speaking at the tutor training this February 3) Speaking with my sons’ teachers without an interpreter 4) Becoming a citizen last year. I have made much progress since last September. Thank you Boulder Reads!

Mebrat

I came from Eritrea. I’ve been with tutor about two and a half years. I am doing much better with my reading and writing. Now if I drive my car, I can read the signs no problem. I was so surprised when I started 3rd and 4th grade math. I am still doing well. I read some books with my tutor this year. My favorites were Martin Luther King Junior and Ben Carson, Pioneering Surgeon, Lifesaver. Thank you BoulderReads! for the opportunity to learn.

Dana

I’ve been working on the computer and I completed the Reading Horizons Program. And I passed all four tests. And I feel great that I completed the whole program. This year we have read three books. They were Hatchet, Charlottes’s Web and Timothy of the Cay.

Maputo

I am from Ghana. As my son learned how to walk, I learned how to read to him. I am proud to be able to respond to my co-workers’ and friends’ emails. I feel very confident writing a story for Discoveries. Thanks to BoulderReads! and my tutor, Steve.

Jin-young

I’d like to emphasize BoulderReads! is doing a great job and I deeply appreciate it. I have learned how to pronounce English words correctly and how to express my opinions through reading and writing. I’d like to thank my tutor, Ruth Becker, for her passion and integrity. And dear Patrons! I can never thank you enough; I’m receiving your generosity and love. I’m also learning an important lesson through your support –joy of giving back to the community.

Suzette

I have been with Boulder Reads! about four years. I am working with my two tutors on getting my GED. Last August I started classes at Front Range Community College. Over the last year, I have been teaching my daughter Jennifer how to do fractions in math. Also, I have been teaching my daughter Thatsany how to sound out words when reading. Right before spring break I went to three parent/teacher conferences for my children. I felt more comfortable at the meetings than before. Recently, I took classes on buying my first home. I am so proud of myself! Thanks to BoulderReads!

Lee

My biggest accomplishment has been learning phonics so I can read books more easily. I can help children at my daughter’s school for reading. I read books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to my sons, and they remember the sounds and read with me. I’m so happy with BoulderReads! It made me more challenging to read and study English. I appreciate those who are volunteering (like Arlene), supporting (like the library), working at this program (like Eleanor and like Diana). This is my best education in my whole life. If I didn’t find this program, I couldn’t know how to read English yet, even though I have been in America for 10 years! I learned about how to share and live with other people because of you Americans. Thanks again! God bless you.

David

The Book Club -- We read a book called The Giver, a science fiction book and then we read Charlotte’s Web about a pig on a farm. Now we are reading The Royal Park Murder, a mystery. I like the book club because I like the people we are with and you’re learning how to read better. It’s interesting to hear what other people think about books and what I think about it.

Sherab

Tashi Deliek! My name is Sherab. I am from Tibet. I came to the U.S.A. almost year and half ago. Before I came to BoulderReads!, my reading and pronunciation gave me a hard time. But now, I’m getting BoulderReads!’ and my tutor Gloria’s help. My English is getting better. I’ll study hard. I’ll do the GED exam, and my dream is to go to college. Finally, I want to say ‘Thank you’ to BoulderReads! and my tutor.

Amanda

My name is Amanda and here is my tutor, Anne Shanahan. We have been working together for 2 ½ years. When I first started with BoulderReads!, I only read when I was working with my tutor or doing my homework. Reading was not part of my daily life. Now I read whereever I go! I can learn from the outside world – not just during tutor time. Learning is a big part of my life.
  • I always read up on what there is to see when I travel.
  • I check the newspaper ads to see what’s on sale.
  • I follow directions and read signs when I go new places to meet friends and family.
Math used to be really hard for me. I’ve done lots of math workbooks and learned my flashcards. Now, I find myself doing problems in my head when I am shopping. Sometimes I help other people figure out the right change!
  • This helps me manage my money.
  • Now I have a budget and know how much I can spend.
  • Paying bills is still difficult, but I feel satisfied knowing how much money I am spending and saving.
  • I am saving money for furniture for my house and for a trip.
My life has changed. I can walk around with my head up high. I feel self-confident and I can do so many more things on my own.

Corinthia

Moving here to Colorado I knew I had 3 months to take the drivers license test. I picked up a booklet to study for my license but I was having a difficult time reading and understanding it. When I moved to a new town, I always got a library card. As I parked at the Boulder Library I saw a banner. It said something about a reading program. So I called them for help. Since then I passed my drivers test. Then I passed my cosmetology test and barber’s test. I now read books that interest me. I have taken basic computer classes and now I am studying for an insurance license.

Mauwuenyega

I’ve been in Boulder Reads! for four years. This program means a lot to me because I can communicate better with my daughter Zoya. I can help her to read something when she asks me. Spending time reading together is really fun. Spending time with your daughter creates a good relationship with her. I would like to thank BoulderReads! for giving me the opportunity.

Mayra

I enrolled in Boulder Reads in October 2006. I decided to attend this program because I noticed that in my regular school classes I was not doing well enough to get good grades. I felt so behind in all my courses that at some point a negative thought to quit school passed through my head. But since I started attending BoulderReads! my grades are improving every day. I know I still have to work more to improve my writing, reading and pronunciation. But with my enthusiasm, the help of my tutor and the support of BoulderReads! I know I’m going to get my associate’s degree and have a better future for me and my loved ones. Thanks for giving me the opportunity of being part of this team, making me feel much more confident with myself, and making me believe that I can write and read anything I want.