As a long-time resident of Canton, you’ll see Jeanine Gillikin’s smiling face from time to time behind our very own Check Out Desk. But increasingly, Gillikin finds ways to take her love of literacy and reading into the community.
Gillikin is a long-time supporter and board member of Magic Carpet Theatre, and after nearly two decades working with PBJ Outreach to bring books to the kids of Detroit, she has most recently found her way to Farmington-based nonprofit We Shall Read and its Brain Friendly Reading Program.
This 11-week training program qualifies her as a certified reading interventionist. The Brain Friendly Reading Program is designed to help students who struggle with reading. However, the program doesn’t just help those with dyslexia or diagnosed learning disabilities; the phonics-based sensory approach assists any struggling reader and offers additional support to students with challenges outside the classroom.
Equipped with knowledge and a bag of tools, Gillikin shapes sessions to the needs of the students she tutors, both as a private tutor and—more recently—as a volunteer at a Detroit area charter school. Aiming to make her sessions fun, games and sensory learning act as the foundation of her work, and she sees good progress in her students. Building literacy skills creates a foundation for her students’ academic success and also contributes to their overall self-esteem.
One of the challenges of this tutoring work comes in focusing on the individual progress of her students and not being sidetracked into comparing them with their peers. This can be a trap for parents and caregivers keen to see their children succeed.
Still, Gillikin emphasizes the need to make reading a positive experience and not just score-oriented: “When I think about the kids learning to read, it’s not just the mechanics of reading; it’s a holistic approach. There are so many factors that go into being a good reader. Having good training, but also having support at home and having fun, it all goes into it.”
Driven by the intersection of her faith, skills and knowledge, a passion for the importance of literacy, and a joyfully service-oriented personality, Gillikin steadily makes a difference in our community—one reader at a time.
National Reading Month
The United States has celebrated March as National Reading Month for over 30 years. Originally scheduled to honor Dr. Seuss, the celebration widened its focus over the decades.
Reading is Fundamental offers ideas on how to highlight reading during the month of March, and Read Across America now includes diverse reading suggestions for the entire year. There are many ways to enjoy National Reading Month, on your own or at the library.
While March marks the official celebration of National Reading Month, Jeanine Gillikin celebrates and promotes literacy all year round. If you are interested in joining her, you will find more information on the Brain Friendly Reading Program, including a list of tutors or how to become a reading interventionist, at WeShallRead.org.
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