Wilmington University is a valued partner in AmeriCorps’ Reading Assist program, an early intervention program for children who face barriers to literacy.

Megan Schnetzer, chair of Special Education graduate programs in the College of Education and Liberal Arts, attended a recent Reading Assist recognition event with Gov. John Carney, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, and Delaware Secretary of Education Dr. Mark Holodick. Schnetzer is a former elementary school teacher and a certified trauma-informed coach.

WilmU was recognized for its expanded partnership with the Reading Assist Fellowship program, where special education graduate students are trained to become high-impact tutors.

Based in Wilmington, Reading Assist serves more than 1,100 students in more than 30 public and charter schools across Delaware and Chester, Pennsylvania, with year-round programming. Reading Assist works with schools to identify and serve children in grades K-3 who have the lowest 25% reading proficiency.

Reading Assist fellows tutor students with various challenges, including low-income backgrounds, dyslexia, and English as a second language, achieving literacy that will make a positive, lifelong impact.