Sharon Duncan is on a mission to help children in Athens learn to read. An educator with more than thirty years of experience in both private and public Montessori schools, she has used her vast experience to develop the Waseca Reading Program, a comprehensive, phonetic program designed for grades K-12 that has been used successfully in thousands of Montessori schools nationwide. In the face of a growing literacy crisis, Sharon has found an ally in Latasha Sheats, founder of Sheats Social Services, and together they've spent the last two years developing the Rainbow Reading Collective at Broadacres Community Center.
This venture was essential in demonstrating the effectiveness of the program with children from a traditional classroom setting. Despite only meeting twice a week, the students of Broadacres were empowered to decode the English language using the phonetic elements. Each student was given the reading program as a self-directed tool and taught how to use it. Upon realizing they could learn independently, students became the authors of their own progress. With the success of the Broadacres venture, Sharon has decided to expand the reach of the Rainbow Reading Collective through a combination of individual and group tutoring services for the Athens community at large, focusing on a new location on Tallassee Road. Starting with free introductory sessions, children are observed to determine their starting position in the color-coded program, meeting them at their individual level. After the initial session, students are oriented to a series of exercises that are repeated with only the phonetic element changing, building confidence and leading them towards reading independence.
The Rainbow Reading Collective has been designed so that parents can gradually take over the tutoring process once their children have reached a certain level of independence. A lending library has been created to provide them with the materials they need along the way. Parents are given the option of enrolling their child in a mini-classroom with a tutor and up to three children that meet weekly. Sharon is excited to continue pursuing her mission and to empower children to read.
“The cabinets allow the child to see their path to reading. We give them the tools and show children how to use them. Given the opportunity to learn on their own, readers are naturally motivated and confident.”
Book an Appointment
Tutoring sessions are scheduled through appointments only. All students will complete a free 45-minute introductory session before booking individual tutoring with an instructor.
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Learn more about our organization and how you can support this effort below.
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New Campus Location
580 Tallassee Road, Athens, GA 30606
info@rainbowreadingcollective.com
Broadacres Community Center
1 Broadacres Court, Athens, GA 30606
sheatssocialservices@gmail.com
