Other HAPPY Reading Programs and Services
Summer Day Camps that Focus on Reading
Private Tutoring Testimonials
"My son is adopted and spoke no English until he was almost 4. He has struggled with reading all through school, and I was more than frustrated with total stagnation in his progress as well as a lack of appropriate support from school. Then he began working with Ms. Miles. In just a few months, he advanced FIVE grade levels in reading. I love that he now considers himself a reader and chooses to participate in literacy activities at his middle school. Parents who have felt helpless, as I did, need to know that there IS quality teaching that can make the impossible possible. It's been so great to have someone tell me the truth about his issues and find creative ways to really help him." Parent of 8th Grade Student, Hanover, Virginia
"In our family, we embrace books and learning, so I was shocked when my son's test scores showed he was two grade levels behind in reading. After working intensively with Ms. Miles, he is on grade level and bringing home consistently high marks in reading for the first time in years. And she helped us to pinpoint the source of his challenges. I recommend her wholeheartedly." Parent of 5th Grade Student; Henrico, Virginia
"I don't know what you did with my child, but he is asking to read now. I had been trying unsuccessfully to get him to this point for years. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Parent of 2nd Grade Student; Henrico, Virginia
"She won't stop reading. I listen to her read those little books, and it just brings tears to my eyes, because I know what she's been through." Parent of 2nd Grade Student; Henrico, Virginia
"I am amazed by what your tutor accomplished in such a short period of time. I LOVE this program." Parent of 3rd Grade Student; Hampton, Virginia
"We've been really impressed with his progress. Working with HAPPY Reading and with a teacher at school, he's moved up in his reading and even got an award for reading the most books." Parent of 3rd Grade Student; Portsmouth, Virginia
Literacy Programming for Families in Temporary Homeless Shelters
"My son's teacher said he improved by TWO reading levels this nine weeks. I didn't know what could have made that difference. Then I thought about the reading program (in the shelter) and I'm really convinced it has a lot to do with his improvement." Parent of 1st Grade Student; Henrico, Virginia
"It seemed like my son and I just argued all the time. I really didn't even know what to talk with him about. But now, since we've been reading the stories together, it gives us things in common. We discuss the books and we actually enjoy talking to each other." Parent of 4th Grade Student; Henrico, Virginia
"She hated to read, but now she insists we have to go to the library at least once a week. She just wants to read all the time." Parent of 7th Grade Student; Henrico, Virginia
"I have always wanted to play games and do learning activities with my baby, but I've never known exactly what to do. The lessons help so much. Now I know what to do, and we have fun." Parent of 1 year-old; Henrico, Virginia
HAPPY Primary- Programming to Create a Positive Literacy Culture in Elementary School Settings
HAPPY is...
...why my son approaches reading more confidently..we have really discovered a new world with literature after receiving new books from you to start our own library at home. K. Harris, Parent...the most comprehensive and well-planned reading enhancement for any elementary school. B. Abdus-Sabur, Virginia Media Educator of the Year 2006
...an excellent use of Title I funds for family involvement and literacy. S. Scott, Retired Elementary Principal
...about turning children into readers, and I recommend it with enthusiasm. C. Burke, Retired Elementary Principal
Classroom Consulting and Instructional Intervention and Modeling
Ms. Miles' program of instruction helped virtually every student to meet or exceed the benchmarks. When I observed her classroom instruction, I saw students engaged and excited about learning. I was pleased to see students mastering sight words in a way they had not managed to do before. They were able to read sentences and even more importantly, construct and write their own sentences and re-read them for meaning. Their phonics skill improved and my young teachers were able to benefit from the expertise being modeled for them. I. Williams, Elementary Principal
Her heart is clearly in this for children, and just as important, she is using an instructional program that builds on student strengths and gets results. The more students she is able to serve, the better. J. Hall-Lane, Elementary Assistant Principal
I learned so much working with you last year, and I have been able to implement it with my new students. I see it making a difference, and they are all moving forward! E. Campbell, Kindergarten Teacher
Bibliotherapy (in partnership with trained counselors)
I appreciated the highly-organized, well thought-out, and easy-to-follow lesson plans. The counselors were able to take the materials and just run with them. And our clients were positively impacted, as well. When lessons focused on a passage rather than an entire story, we found the children wanted to read the whole book, so they were asking to go to the library. Bibliotherapy with HAPPY Reading was well worth the money. A.Haltom, LCSW
Workshops, Presentations, Professional Development and More
Angie Miles...has demonstrated tireless enthusiasm for the cause of promoting literacy among the poorest of our children. T. Reed, PBS
People really need to see the incredibly creative work you do. Your engaging materials and evidence-based methods are superb and foster a reading culture. Your programs need to be in every type of school and can benefit diverse learners everywhere. J. Roberts, Retired Reading Specialist, Retired Elementary Principal and Past President of Virginia State Reading Association
And one especially HAPPY story from Angie:
While working in several classrooms in the heart of the city, I was pleased to encounter a few kindergarten students with advanced reading skills and a surprisingly expansive knowledge of children's literature. One boy and one girl, in particular, stood out because of their extreme attentiveness, quick (and correct) answers to questions, and remarkable story recall from day to day.
One morning, I was presenting a workshop for kindergarten parents, when I recognized two sisters in the audience. I knew them from an adult education class. Three years earlier, I had provided weekly literacy training for these young parents as they were studying for the GED.
Truthfully, I thought the sisters had been sleeping more than they'd been listening to me during those sessions. But it was wonderful to see them here at school now, being involved parents for whomever their children were.
After the workshop that morning, I learned that the boy and girl with such stand-out skills were their children. I commended the moms on having such bright, capable kids and I playfully asked, "How'd they get so smart? What in the world have you been doing with them?" One of the moms calmly and matter-of-factly replied, "We did everything you told us to do, Ms. Miles. All we did is what you taught us to do." That was one of the most rewarding and affirming moments in my professional life, and it motivates me to keep going and keep working to empower many more families and all of our kids. Our possibilities are so much grander than most of us have imagined.
Please contact us for more information, including rates and scheduling opportunities.
Questions? Contact us: lovebooks@happyreading.org or 804-912-0896
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