10 years and 1,000 tutoring sessions

Originally published on Minnesota Good Age

When Dixie Grace first stepped into Ascension Catholic School in North Minneapolis nearly a decade ago, she couldn’t have imagined the impact she would have on hundreds of young readers, or the impact they would have on her.

This year, the Shoreview resident will participate in her 1,000th tutoring session with Reading Partners Minnesota, a milestone that represents not just countless hours of dedication but also the joy of seeing children grow into stronger, more confident readers.

Dixie spent 25 years as a psychologist, working in private practice, at the VA, and briefly at a university counseling center. “As I looked at retirement looming, I wanted to find things to do that were meaningful,” the 76-year-old explains. “I put out a very thorough search of what kind of volunteer opportunities were out there… I was invited by Reading Partners to come and join, and I haven’t looked back. I plan to stay as long as I’m able.”

A decade of impact across Minnesota

Reading Partners Minnesota celebrates its 10th anniversary this fall. The organization has grown from a local initiative into a statewide solution for literacy. Over the past decade, 3,847 volunteers like Dixie have provided more than 131,000 tutoring sessions to 2,870 students, helping them build the foundational skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.

The program operates in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and first-ring suburbs, and has recently expanding into Greater Minnesota through a new partnership with Faribault Public Schools. Reading Partners’ reach continues to grow, with both in-person tutoring and an innovative online option called Reading Partners Connects.

The impact is clear: in the 2024–25 school year alone, 85 percent of students in the program met or exceeded their literacy growth goals, and among K–2 students, 88 percent mastered the foundational skills needed to read at grade level. Beyond the classroom, Reading Partners Minnesota has distributed nearly 15,000 books to help children build their personal libraries, ensuring that reading doesn’t stop when the school day ends.

Encouragement at the core

For Dixie, the reason she keeps returning year after year is simple: the kids. “For me, the main thing is to have an ongoing relationship with at least some of the kids that I tutor,” she says. “I just love the one-on-one time. And the leaders are always in the room to answer questions. If something seems wrong or one of the kids seems upset, they’re there to help right away… It’s a great atmosphere for learning from each other.”

When asked about her personal philosophy, Dixie doesn’t hesitate: “I think our main goal is to encourage the kids. And as they show some progress, and they’re given encouragement by the tutors and by everyone else, they really blossom.”

She sees her students becoming more confident. They open up more. They talk more readily and ask more questions.

Why Minnesota needs more tutors

As Reading Partners celebrates a decade of service in the state, the need for volunteers is greater than ever. Reading scores across Minnesota have largely declined in recent years, and with federal tutoring funds ending, schools are searching for sustainable ways to support struggling readers.

Dixie wants Minnesotans to know that everyone can help. “Volunteering depends on what you’re looking for, but for me—and for a lot of others—we want to do something meaningful. And this is so meaningful. It’s so apparent. You can see the kids become more confident. You can see them learning. And you know you’re helping children who have somehow gotten behind. It’s just a wonderfully validating experience to work as a reading tutor.”

Looking ahead

This year, Dixie will celebrate her 1,000th tutoring session, a number that speaks to the power of small, consistent acts of service. One hour at a time, she has helped countless students take steps toward a brighter academic future.

But she insists the milestone isn’t really about her. “It’s about the kids,” she says simply. “They’re the reason I keep coming back. I just hope more people will give it a try. Once you see a child’s face light up when they realize they can read, you’ll be hooked.”

As Reading Partners Minnesota looks to the next decade, the organization is inviting Minnesotans of all ages to follow Dixie’s lead. By volunteering an hour a week, community members can help close opportunity gaps, strengthen local schools, and inspire the next generation of readers.

As Dixie knows, every session matters and every student deserves the chance to feel the joy of reading.

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Brooke Rivers, Executive Director of Reading Partners Minnesota. To learn more and volunteer.