Tutor profile: Kelly P.

How have libraries changed and what trends do you see coming in the future?

Well, libraries have certainly changed from when I was a child. Gone are the days of shushing librarians, quiet spaces, and micro-fiche machines. Libraries now are vibrant community spaces, offering many more things than books. Patrons of the library can get access to movies, computers, books on tape, digital books, 3D printers, STEM programming, storytimes, and escape rooms just to name a few. I look forward to the growth of libraries in the future. I always see libraries embracing the technological advances of our time. I bet there will be virtual reality head sets quite soon!

What are the 3 most important early literacy tips you can give parents to practice with their children at home?

Number one is to read aloud every day. Kids that hear more words throughout their primitive years go on to score better in testing, excel at school, and are provided greater opportunities in the long run. Number two: let the kids play! Play is so important to early childhood growth. Children learn best through play, so get out those toys and talk often! Number three: print awareness. Point out letters, words, sentences, punctuation on any and everything you see. This helps children start to recognize how words a formed and spoken, building on a crucial skill for early reading readiness.

Do you believe the education system should move towards a more growth-based assessment for students?

Yes, I believe that the current testing standards for students are wholly inadequate. Students are assessed the majority of the time on proficiency at the end of the school year. I believe if students were assessed on the growth they have made in subject areas throughout the school year that many more students would thrive. Many times students that excel in subjects are sort of left to their own devices, because teachers know they will pass the proficiency based test. And, students who fall well below the subjects often don't get the help they need either because they are essentially deemed "lost cases". So, you have many students on both ends of the spectrum being unfulfilled by the current education system as it is run. If their merit was based on the growth of each student, then the education system could be tailored to their individual needs and all students would move towards a system that provides the education they need and deserve.