Looking for more reading mentors: MENTOR Marburg-Biedenkopf was founded a year ago

Those who can read have a clear advantage! This often flippant remark—made when someone hasn’t looked closely enough—is absolutely justified in terms of its meaning. If someone can’t grasp a text and doesn’t understand its content, they can’t participate in the conversation and are excluded. With nearly 60 volunteer mentors, the MENTOR association —the Marburg-Biedenkopf Region Reading Tutors—aims to improve the alarming statistic that, by the end of fourth grade, 20 out of 100 children cannot read properly and 30 out of 100 cannot write according to the rules. The association was founded at the district level one year ago at the Steinmühle and recently celebrated its first anniversary there.

A special guest provided entertainment at the event in the Steinmühlenforum: children’s and young adult author Andreas Steinhöfel. By reading excerpts from his works, he not only brought a few smiles to people’s faces but also elicited the occasional laugh. The “MENTOR” initiative is important to him and something he takes very seriously; he supports it as a patron and states: “Those who cannot read have a very hard time navigating life with dignity.”

Working as a mentor is fulfilling. This volunteer position—which requires an extended police background check and participation in a training seminar—demands patience, but it’s very rewarding. At the Steinmühlenforum, four mentors spoke about their work, in which they introduce students—often from educationally disadvantaged and socially vulnerable backgrounds—to the world of letters and words. The district is still urgently seeking 15 to 20 additional reading mentors for this work.

“The situation hasn’t exactly improved during the pandemic,” reported Chairwoman Inge Maisch. She is the point of contact for people who might be interested in taking on the role of a mentor (info@mentor-marburg-biedenkopf.de). She is encouraged by the fact that nearly all of the reading mentors from the previous school year are continuing their work. It’s wonderful to see children develop a love of reading.

It was also a pleasure to listen to those who provided the artistic entertainment for the anniversary celebration. The Steinmühle Jazz Ensemble, led by Frank Wemme, was among them, as was Talea Funk with a contemplative composition.

The administration of Steinmühle Elementary and High School, as well as the school’s management team, consider MENTOR’s mission to be important. After all, reading is the fundamental skill underpinning the entire spectrum of school education. Steinmühle therefore hopes that as many people as possible will come forward and express interest in becoming a reading mentor.