DEARBORN, MI – Local non-profit We Shall Read invites Dearborn area residents who have a strong desire to learn how to help children with literacy skills, and are interested in starting a tutoring business, to apply for the opportunity to attend Mentor Me! tutor training for the Brain Friendly Reading approach, free of charge.

Starting Jan. 23, 2023, the training will run for 11 weeks from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday. It will be hosted at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, located at 16301 Michigan Ave, Dearborn.

Thirty fully funded scholarships are available for participants provided by the Pathways Foundation, The Dearborn Library Foundation, and private donors. The Library is generously providing meeting space and additional programming.

Over the past year, We Shall Read has provided professional development seminars in Dearborn Public Schools. Teachers in the special education department for grades pre-kindergarten through 8th grade have been instructed in the Brain Friendly Reading approach that is a systematic, structured reading program based on the science of reading.

Kristin Dwyer, executive director of We Shall Read, stated “After seeing the incredibly positive response from Dearborn teachers, we decided the best way to scaffold this work in Dearborn is to bring our Mentor Me! tutor training program to the community, to provide additional out-of-school support."

The Mentor Me! tutor training program is a 30 hour, in-person program that equips tutors to use the tools and strategies in the Brain Friendly Reading curriculum. Coupled with small business skills training, participants are prepared to start their own small business. Additional ongoing support for long-term success includes a personal mentor, weekly group coaching calls and social media groups. Also, Library staff will provide presentations on various library resources that can enrich the tutors’ support of their students.

Julie Schaefer, Interim Library Director, stated, "Dearborn Public Library is happy to partner with We Shall Read in their efforts to train tutors and assist in the improvement of literacy skills in our community. In addition, we look forward to connecting these tutors with families so that students can obtain support and have fun working together.”

Ideal participants are adults who enjoy working with children and have a desire to start their own small tutoring business. Former teachers, paraprofessionals, and community members with experience in schools, daycare centers, after school or summer programs, scouting, youth groups and more, are welcome to apply. Extra consideration will be given to those with ties to the Dearborn community. Applicants should be library cardholders wherever they reside. The training will be limited to 30 participants.

The application period is now open at weshallread.org/become-a-tutor. Applicants can also contact Kristin Dwyer at [email protected]. 

We Shall Read welcomes new community partnerships that broaden access to literacy programming. Registration for a Saturday tutor training in Southfield, as well as the fully asynchronous program are available through www.weshallread.org.

About We Shall Read

We Shall Read is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Kristin Dwyer of Farmington Hills. Several years ago, Kristin, an educator and reading specialist, developed a curriculum called Brain Friendly Reading based on the science of reading. We Shall Read’s mission is to provide training and mentoring for teachers, tutors, parents and volunteers to utilize brain-friendly programs and strategies that will improve children’s reading, spelling, and writing regardless of their age, ability or background. For additional information, visit weshallread.org or call 734-812-9136.