Findlay, Ohio, Dec. 14, 2004 – Students in the Teaching as a Profession courses at The University of Findlay served as reading mentors this semester for second graders at Van Buren Elementary School.

The coaching is part of Hancock County’s Literacy and Mentoring Partners (LAMP) program. LAMP is based on the premise that partnering a child with an adult reader for the purpose of increasing the child’s literacy skills will ultimately lead to the child’s increased desire to read and write independently.

Participation in the program is required of UF students taking beginning education classes.

UF students were partnered with children in three classrooms at Van Buren Elementary School. The pairs read together in Van Buren on three school days in October and November.

By participating in LAMP, UF’s education students gain field experience early in their studies. The experience teaches future educators about what goes on in a public school classroom, gives them exposure to working with a child over a period of time and trains them in what level of commitment is necessary to meet the needs of their students, teachers, professors and school administrators.

After the UF students and the Van Buren students had had three reading sessions together, the Van Buren students visited the University Dec. 2, eating breakfast with their reading partners, touring the campus and attending a show in the University planetarium.