Today we’d like to introduce you to Roslyn Taylor.
Roslyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Since 2005, Epiphany Education Center has been dedicated to raising the level of childhood literacy in Detroit. Epiphany Education Center provides accelerated academic intervention programs to low- income elementary and middle school students who are at-risk, have disabilities and/or I.E.P.’s, victims of trauma, below grade level readers and/or have been retained or in jeopardy of being retained. Epiphany’s mission is to increase elementary and middle school student’s academic proficiency in math & reading, promote self-confidence, encourage community activism and develop 21st Century competencies. Epiphany’s vision is rooted in the belief of a fully literate society for all, regardless of race, class or socioeconomic status. All of Epiphany’s programs including tutoring, book clubs, mini libraries and summer field trips, function to support, promote and maintain the availability & accessibility of literacy services and materials in high poverty areas. Our goals are to increase at-risk elementary & middle school student’s academic proficiency in math and reading, motivate readers, distribute free books &materials and provide equitable access to literacy materials in high poverty areas of Detroit. Our current programs include one-to-one tutoring, book clubs (virtual & in-person), mini libraries, summer book fairs, summer field trips and distribute books, backpacks and school supplies year-round.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles has been the extremely low literacy rates in Detroit. In our neighborhood we even see single digit proficiency rates. Detroit’s literacy rates are some of the worst in the nation, even lower than the state average.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Epiphany provides high quality, engaging, researched based literacy interventions for local at-risk elementary and middle school students living in Metro Detroit. Our supplemental literacy programs accelerate student achievement and maximize the impact of afterschool learning and summer programming. Epiphany’s programs motivate readers, develop literacy skills and increase proficiency before at-risk students reach high school. Our goal is to help students achieve academic proficiency before high school, which is a critical step needed to transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Additionally, we hope to reduce the number of retained 3rd graders due to the Michigan 3rd grade proficiency law.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Keep Going!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.epiphanyeducationcenter.org
- Facebook: Epiphany Education Center
- Other: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12cbmOULwtE9AIp8QOwWAbNvjTlEL0apt/view?pli=1
