Ohio University Zanesville students help first graders grow as readers through new partnership

ZANEVILLE, OH- A partnership between Ohio University Zanesville and Zane Grey Elementary is giving future teachers hands-on experience and helping young readers build confidence along the way.

For the past four weeks, senior education majors at Ohio University Zanesville have been working directly with first graders at Zane Grey Elementary. The university students are assessing reading skills, tailoring instruction, and applying classroom lessons in real time. It’s all part of a six-week literacy initiative led by Ohio University Zanesville Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, Dr. Jen Lisy.

“It’s incredible to see just how much my students have grown just in a short period of time, and also the impact we’re having on the first graders, it’s amazing, and exactly what I wanted to happen is happening, and I love being able to watch the first graders figure things out, have those aha moments, and see my students have those aha moment, where they go, oh this is what they need next week I’m going to do this, and then they test it out and see how it goes just like you do in your own classroom,” said Dr. Lisy.

Backed by a grant from the Patton College of Education, the partnership gives undergraduates a unique graduate level teaching experience they wouldn’t typically receive until grad school. Hands-on learning helps them grow as educators while building strong connections with their first-grade students.

“The first graders are so excited when we get in the building, we sneak upstairs and grab the kiddos and as soon as the undergrads pop their head in the door, they’re like ‘Oh! It’s my time to go! I have to go!’ and they like run to the door, so the relationships between those first graders and the undergraduates are beautiful to see,” said Dr. Lisy.

The initiative will wrap up later this month, but everyone hopes to continue the partnership in future semesters.