When Zachary Furmanek arrived in Rockford, he thought it might just be a stop on his path to becoming a teacher. But after a summer spent tutoring children in literacy, the graduate student says he may have found not just a career—but a community to call home.
Furmanek, who is completing his Master of Arts in Teaching at Rockford University, was one of nine tutors who spent the summer working with students through a special literacy initiative. The program, made possible by a grant from United Way of Rock River Valley and in partnership with Rockford University, sent tutors into five community sites, from the Boys & Girls Clubs to the Northwest Community Center. Over seven weeks, the team logged more than 1,000 hours, reaching more than 120 children.
“It was about more than letters and sounds,” Furmanek said. “It was about building connections and helping kids see themselves as readers.”
At the Boys & Girls Club at Stenstrom, Furmanek worked with children as young as four years old. He recalls one student, Layla, who lit up every time she came to her tutoring sessions. By the end of summer, Layla had mastered all 26 letters—both uppercase and lowercase—and their sounds. Just as importantly, she had sparked excitement in her friend Keyarra, who began sounding out words alongside her. “Seeing their progress and their smiles when they got a word right could light up a room,” Furmanek said.
At Northwest Community Center, Furmanek met siblings Jamieka and Jamier. For Jamier, who had only recently begun speaking, the small group setting became a safe place to take risks. With encouragement from his sister and support from tutors, he began identifying letters, writing them, and even sounding out simple words. “His mom would stop in to check his progress,” Furmanek said. “The pride in her smile said everything.”
The summer experience, he added, changed his own outlook. “I came here thinking I’d return to Chicagoland after graduating,” Furmanek admitted. “But now, after getting to know the students and the city, I can see myself teaching in Rockford. This place feels like home.”
For Furmanek, the summer was proof that literacy work is about more than academic gains—it’s about nurturing confidence, joy, and opportunity. “We helped kids fall in love with reading,” he said. “That’s something that will carry with them far beyond the classroom.”