By MEGAN GARNETT, Student Reporter
Beginning this semester, Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s education department will host an on campus literacy program.
After the graduate office moved to Fine Arts, an empty room was left behind.
Jennifer Oswald, who has a doctorate in education, created the program. She was asked if she wanted to use the room for the new program and with the opportunity, she decided to create the program she had always wanted.
The literacy center room has a fresh coat of paint, tables and chairs and some reading themed décor. Oswald said she would like to acquire computers, smart boards and smart board tables as the program continues. They are currently seeking additional funding for the technology.
Christee Jenlink, who holds a doctorate in educational administration, was also involved in early aspects of the program.
Jenlink said, “The Literacy Center is a winning combination, in that it assists young people who struggle in their ability to be proficient in their reading skills. It also provides a real context opportunity for NWOSU teacher candidates to further develop their teaching ability under the tutelage of an expert in the field, Dr. Oswald.”
Giving back to the community is important to Oswald. “It’s a service we provide to give back to our community,” Oswald said. “They give so much to us that it’s great to give back to them.”
The program offers one-on-one tutoring for local students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Within the Literacy Center, Northwestern undergraduate students who are education majors will be partnered with children in need of tutoring.
Oswald said parents can bring their children to Northwestern’s education building for tutoring once a week. The program is offered from Monday through Wednesday throughout the semester from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Each student is assigned to a teacher candidate in the education program. The teacher candidates are typically juniors or seniors who have completed their basic courses and have been admitted into the teacher education program. Oswald said most of the candidates will start student teaching within the next year.
She said the interaction would be helpful to Northwestern’s education students, who are currently required to participate in the program to fulfil their course requirements for field experience.
“They get that experience of assigned individualized instruction,” Oswald said
Jenlink said the literacy center would help both the community and the students involved.
“The NWOSU Literacy Center is an excellent opportunity for our teacher candidates and faculty to serve young people and their families in northwest Oklahoma,” Jenlink said.
Senior elementary education major, Rachel Cunningham said, “This experience will be incredibly useful for me as a future educator. Learning how to assess and diagnose reading problems will be beneficial for my students and myself.”
Cunningham said being involved would help her in her future teaching.
Each teacher candidate performs an assessment of their assigned student. The assessments are informal and can include testing for fluency, comprehension issues, vocabulary, word identification and spelling and phonics applications.
She said the assessments are an important factor because they can help pinpoint each student’s weaknesses and strengths to create the best learning plan possible.
Oswald said although the program was created primarily for p-12 students, adults in need of reading assistance would also be welcome.
The program was started this semester and already has a waiting list. The literacy center program will continue next semester.
Parents who are interested in having their child participate can contact Oswald through her phone (580)327-8451 or email jdoswald@nwosu.edu