When Karl Cole first stepped into a first-grade classroom at Ralston Elementary as a United Way IREAD volunteer, he wasn’t new to mentoring young students—but what he discovered over the course of the year deepened his appreciation for both the joys and the challenges of early literacy.
The Path to Becoming an IREAD Volunteer
Cole’s journey began a few years earlier through a literacy initiative supported by Rockford Rotary. “That experience really opened my eyes,” he said. “Not so much to working with kids—that’s always been comfortable for me—but to the wide range of reading abilities among them.” He recalls mentoring two third graders: one reading at a higher-grade level, and another still struggling with basic words. That range of skills, he learned, would become a defining feature of his IREAD experience as well.
In his small group IREAD sessions, Cole witnessed the power of personalized attention. “I had kids who couldn’t sound out three-letter words and others already reading chapter books. It amazed me that the teacher could even create lesson plans to support them all.”
That challenge didn’t discourage him—it inspired him. He worked closely with classroom teacher Sue Pfeiffer to ensure all students stayed engaged, especially those who needed extra help.
Making it Personal
Cole's natural storytelling flair quickly became one of his most impactful tools. He recalls reading aloud to the entire class, using animated voices and vivid imagery to bring the text to life. “I’d ask, ‘Can you hear the wind?’ or describe a creaky shutter banging in the breeze. I wanted them to paint a picture in their minds.” That approach kept the students glued to every word. “Sue even joked, ‘They’re never that quiet for me!’” he laughed.
But perhaps the most rewarding moments came not during reading, but in the relationships built around it. “A couple of boys I worked with every week became my little buddies. I even gave them nicknames. I called them ‘Nick and Nack.’ We joked around, and they’d run up for hugs. It’s those connections that stay with you.”
He didn’t shy away from fun either. One day, he showed up dressed head-to-toe as a Christmas elf, surprising the students and filling the classroom with laughter. “It was fun for me, and fun for them. That joy becomes part of how they experience reading and school.”
A Greater Appreciation for Teachers
Through it all, Cole says his understanding of the Harlem School District—and the complexities of early literacy—has grown. “It’s not just about teaching kids to read,” he said. “It’s about meeting them where they are, making it fun, and helping them believe in themselves.”
And for Cole, the biggest challenge? “Making sure no one falls through the cracks,” he said. “You want every child to feel seen, capable, and supported.”
Thanks to volunteers like Karl, the IREAD program continues to do just that.
United Way's Support
United Way deployed 26 volunteers in 2024 to three schools in the Harlem district:
- Parker Early Education Center
- Ralston Elementary School
- Olson Park Elementary School
This school year we anticipate a greater reach and an even greater impact on our community's children.