Every Tuesday and Thursday between work and classes, Theresa came to the reading center and diligently worked with Aaliyiah. Aaliyiah was shy and lacked motivation. Theresa, drawing on the nurturing part of herself she developed growing up with many siblings, demonstrated her care and belief in Aaliyiah's potential.

"Sometimes Theresa was strict with her high expectations and other times she was very playful," observed Lilly Green, Site Coordinator. "But the most important thing for Aaliyiah was having the consistency of Theresa showing up day after day no matter what," says Lilly.

Aaliyiah's teacher, Natalie, is pleased with the strategies Aaliyiah has learned and the relationship she has built with her tutor. "Aaliyiah looks at a word and knows how to break it down," she says. Aaliyiah's confidence and performance have turned around. "Now," says Natalie, "she raises her hand in class and turns in her homework."

As for Theresa, she is considering a career in teaching.