New Literacy Program ‘Mentor TOOMBS’ Helps Young Readers Thrive at Lyons Primary School
Courtesy of Toombs County Schools
A new literacy initiative at Lyons Primary School is making a meaningful difference in the lives of young students.
Launched earlier this year, the “Mentor TOOMBS” program has brought together 13 dedicated community volunteers with a shared mission: to help primary school students read on grade level by the time they enter third grade. This mission goes hand in hand with our Get Toombs Reading initiative that our Toombs Family Connection organization has been working on for the past few years in our community.
The program, developed in response to growing concerns about early literacy rates, pairs each mentor with one or more students for weekly reading sessions. These sessions focus on building foundational reading skills such as phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. By working in small groups, mentors provide personalized support that students may not receive during regular classroom instruction.
“Our goal is to ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed by third grade,” said Rhonda Benton, who helped spearhead the initiative. “Reading on grade level by third grade is one of the most important indicators of future academic success. With “Mentor TOOMBS,” we’re giving our students that crucial head start.”
The name 'Mentor TOOMBS' not only reflects the local community but also emphasizes the power of mentorship in shaping young learners' futures. Many of the mentors are retirees and local professionals who dedicate time out of their week to support literacy development.
One mentor, Stephanie Andrews from Altamaha EMC, shared their experience: “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch these children grow more confident each week. They light up when they recognize words they struggled with before. That kind of progress is priceless.”
While the program is still in its early stages, school staff and administrators are already seeing positive results. Teachers report increased engagement, better reading fluency, and greater enthusiasm for books among participating students.
As “Mentor TOOMBS” continues to grow, organizers hope to expand the program to reach even more students in need of reading support. Community members interested in becoming mentors or supporting the program in other ways are encouraged to contact either of the following: Paige Wardof, Toombs Family Connection (familyconnection9@gmail.com) Rhonda Benton of Toombs County Schools (rhonda.benton@toombs. k12.ga.us) Requirements to participate in “Mentor TOOMBS”: application, interview, 4 hour training, background check, weekly commitment of 1-2 hours With 13 members already making a difference, “Mentor TOOMBS” is proving that it takes just a little time and care to change a child’s future — one word at a time.
