Jorge Cortez

Cortez's "Learning is Fun, Entirely (LIFE)" program provides additional literacy instruction for students in need of academic intervention. Teachers work with these students for at least an hour after school and help the students work on projects based on identified skill and language needs. Students are challenged to create projects including a newspaper of school and community events, writing and directing a theater production, and Socratic discussions of selected readings. Parent workshops teach strategies for working at home with students and build a family learning focus. Participating parents receive gift certificates to educational stores so they can continue literacy games and projects at home.