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Since 1998, when the America Reads/America Counts Program began at Hancock, Hamline has been sending students across Snelling Avenue to work at the school as means of fulfilling their work-study. America Reads/America Counts runs two programs, Rainbow Readers and Reader’s Workshop.

The Rainbow Readers program consists of carts of books that are pushed from class to class throughout the day. Students can pick books from the cart to read by themselves, to the teacher, or the Hamline student who is responsible for the cart.

Hancock’s diversity provides a unique opportunity for university students who work there. Many of the children are not only struggling as beginning readers, but have the added obstacle of being English as a second language learners.

While sitting with students as they read, some become easily distracted and are quick to give up. As Schultz sat with a 1st grader, the boy became frustrated upon coming to a word he couldn’t read. He simply said, “I don’t know,” flicked the book shut and bounced off his chair to retrieve a new book. With Schultz’s presence, though, the boy grudgingly reopened the book and tackled the word he had struggled with.

The presence of Hamline students like Schultz in the classroom provides the students with not only another individual to read with, but a positive influence that can aid in keeping them focused and on track ča task that is easier said than done.