Changing The Odds Pathway to Literacy for Kids
2020 – Present
The Changing the Odds (CTO) Pathway to Literacy for Kids program was launched in 2020 by Windsor Endowment for the Arts (WEA) in partnership with ARTS CAN TEACH and the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB)
This vital initiative pairs skilled artist-educators from ARTS CAN TEACH with Kindergarten teachers and language specialists to deliver arts-based English language learning lessons that incorporate Drama, Movement, and Puppetry to young learners performing below the provincial literacy standards and that are situated in high-priority neighbourhoods.
Local research from the United Way and ProsperUs Windsor has shown that children who meet Grade 3 reading standards are more likely to graduate from high school.
OUR ARTIST TEAM
The CTO program brings trained, experienced Dance and Drama Artist Educators from ARTS CAN TEACH to deliver arts-based English language learning (ELL) to Kindergarten classes in Windsor-Essex throughout the school year.
The Artist Team includes Ainslee Winter (Dance, Visual Arts), Laura Bird (Drama/Storytelling), Louise Paquette (Dance/Movement) and Matthew Romain (Drama/Puppetry).
The English Language Learning (ELL) program was inspired by a 7-year research project at the University of Southern California that demonstrated significant gains in language learning, speaking and confidence in Kindergarten – Grade 2 classes led by Drama and Movement artists.
CTO FOUNDATIONAL DONORS
We gratefully acknowledge the following donors who have provided a strong foundation for the CTO program to expand.
Morris & Beverly Baker Foundation
Jackman Foundation
WindsorEssex Community Foundation
Mark & Kelly Lynn Abraham
Mousseau DeLuca McPherson Prince LLP
Sho Art, Spirit, and Performance
Barry & Stephanie Zekelman Foundation
Carolyne Rourke
Juliana Cecchin
Carol Libby
Kirby O’Connor & Sandy McClellan
Katherine Roth
Scottish Rite Lodge
Lynn Teahan
Lynne Watts
Bill & Jean Wright
