Future Photographers!

Today I had some big fun. I worked with 8 fifth graders from our IPC Summer Learning Program at our Children's Fresh Air Farm. These kiddos were part of our STAIR reading program as second graders and are invited to attend the program every summer through their fifth grade year. It's six weeks of reading and math with wonderful teachers, in the mornings, nourishing breakfasts, lunches and snacks, and swimming and exciting enrichment activities in the afternoons. This year, the fifth graders were encouraged to choose some extra activities of interest,  and I was asked to do photography with this group. After a short discussion about taking better photos, each one took my camera and photographed their classmates. They took some terrific photographs. I"m so proud of them!

Read With Me

One of my favorite "jobs"( joys)  is visiting STAIR Birmingham sites all over the city and taking photographs. Today, I was right at home at my church, Independent Presbyterian Church. STAIR ( Start The Adventure In Reading) provides twice a week, one on one reading tutoring for second grade students from Birmingham City Schools. It's a wonderful program providing much needed reading mentoring along with a lot of love.

STAIR Birmingham now has 14 sites throughout the city and growing. Please visit their website to learn more. 

Back in the Water!

After a few weeks off to mend from an injury, today I'm back in the pool, figuratively.
 I visited a very special place, the Children's Fresh Air Farm. IPC's  STAIR of Birmingham graduates, grades 2-5, gather there for our Summer Learning Program. It's academics, and so much more. This special program bridges the summer gap when so many students lose ground during the summer. They get two hot meals, study hard on math and reading in the morning with certified teachers, and in the afternoons swim, have art and so many other wonderful activities. My church, Independent Presbyterian Church sponsors, and I"m just happy to be along to photograph the fun!

Welcome Senator and Mrs. Jones!

On Friday, the STAIR students and tutors at Oliver Elementary welcomed some very special guests. Senator and Mrs. Doug Jones came for a visit to see just how much these second graders in the STAIR of Birmingham program were learning. They greeted each and every student and tutor, then they shared the reading of Dr. Seuss' Oh The Places You Will Go. It was a great day for all of us!

Reading Buddies

This fine young man signed on to be a STAIR tutor at the Independent Presbyterian Church site last fall. Little did he know that he would be blessed with this boy, who didn't smile and struggled with reading. Yesterday I went by for photographs and witnessed the transformation. All smiles and these two are enjoying the adventure in reading. Birmingham is blessed to have STAIR tutors in 13 sites giving one on one reading instruction with Birmingham City School struggling second graders. I LOVE MY JOB!

Fresh New Face

Norwood School was built in 1925, but due to disrepair, the system closed the beautiful brick school in 2013. As the result of public protests, it was renovated and reopened in 2016. I was there this week photographing our STAIR of Birmingham site and fell in love with this bright orange stairwell. What a happy place to learn!

TRUTH!

I love making STAIR site visits with my friend Caroline. Yesterday we went to Norwood School's site and this sign caught my eye. I"m a former teacher, and I approve this message!

Do you have about 1 1/2 hours, one day a week,  to give to a second grader who needs extra help in reading after school? Visit the STAIR website and volunteer! It's a terrific program that makes such a difference. No experience necessary, just a willingness to help. 

WE LOVE READING!

The time has come for STAIR second graders to graduate from this wonderful reading program that spans this city. They have all made tremendous progress in reading due to the devoted one on one learning with committed tutors twice a week, all year long. Yesterday I made one last photo sweep at Independent Presbyterian's STAIR site for photos. This guy.....

The Joy of Learning!

I have the privilege of photographing STAIR (Start The Adventure in Reading) students and their tutors all over this city for STAIR Birmingham. Wednesday, I visited Booker T Washington Elementary and captured this sweet girl and her loving tutor. STAIR pairs second graders in Birmingham City Schools with tutors for after school,  one on one reading instruction twice a week. The results are amazing!

My Heart

I take many photos here and in Paris, but I love the STAIR (Start The Adventure In Reading) program. I am so fortunate to be able to not only photograph the program at IPC, but also the STAIR sites across this city. Such great work with loving tutors helping our struggling readers. The love the tutors and students share is amazing.

Start The Adventure in Reading

Oh many of you have learned about STAIR Birmingham from reading my blog these many years. Yesterday I made two STAIR site visits, Oliver Elementary and Avondale United Methodist Church, for photos. When I walked into the big hall at Avondale, from across the room I heard, "Hey Ms. Jones!".  Considering I've been retired over 7 years, I was thrilled she recognized me.  I taught her brother in third grade and he's a junior at Homewood High now, and she is a STAIR tutor. Filled my heart!

This student's tutor told me she is making terrific progress in her second language. I know how hard learning a new language is and so proud of this sweet girl.

Happiness Is...

...getting a brand new winter coat PLUS a hat and mittens!!!  This week, the STAIR students at
Independent Presbyterian are all receiving new winter coats thanks to the generosity of IPC and community friends and tutors who made it all possible. The happy smiles said it all!

  STAIR Birmingham Executive Director, Liz Edwards helps this student try her coat on for size.