Local Senior Gives The Gift of Reading
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: March 20, 2012
CG Gray is a retired professor who's now dedicated to teaching kids who to read.
"Once the kids learn that they can learn to read, they really take off," said Gray.
He leads an after school tutoring program for kids from Taylor Elementary, teaching them reading skills he says are essential for success.
"Success in school is just about essential and being a good reader is essential if you're going to graduate from high school," he said.
The self-taught reader uses a basic reading program designed to introduce kids to sounds and letters of in context.
Most of the kids have been able to reach grade level reading skills by the end of the year.
"Many of the children that we have in the after school program become successful in school," said Gray.
He works alongside teaching volunteers and students from Abilene christian university.
They spend one on one time with kids and have group reading sessions.
It's all part of what Dr. Gray says is a crucial part of making sure disadvantaged kids know how to read by third grade.
"Reading becomes a skill to use for all the other subjects," said the retired professor.
The 84 year-old is also on the board of directors for united way and has no plans of stopping .
"I guess as long as we can keep doing it we'll keep doing it," he said.







