Big Smiles and High Fives

by | Oct 29, 2024

Stacy Tinner, a staff civil engineer at Burns & McDonnell, has discovered a profound sense of purpose through volunteering with Lead to Read KC. Inspired by the impact of mentors in his own life, he joined the program in September 2023 and returned this year as a Reading Mentor at Benjamin Banneker Elementary in KCMO.

“Giving back is important to me,” Tinner shares. “These kids will be the next leaders in our community. It’s really in everyone’s best interests to pay it forward.” He likes having a consistent weekly role and being part of something big like literacy. 

As a Reading Mentor, Tinner believes patience and positivity are key to his interactions with students. “A hi-five and a big smile keep them focused.” He understands the importance of creating a fun and engaging learning environment, emphasizing the power of praise and repetition. “They get the satisfaction of getting something right while reading and hearing someone tell them ‘good job,’” he explains.

Beyond seeing the academic benefits for his reading buddy, Tinner also finds immense joy in the personal connections he forms with his students. “This experience softens me up a bit,” he admits. “The energy from a young child is such a change up in the pace of a work day. They remind me of the little things in life and the positivity that exists in the world.”

“I’m grateful to have Stacy back for a second year,” says Angie Koetting, Lead to Read KC Site Coordinator at Banneker. “It’s easy to tell how much he enjoys being with the kids. He’s a leader, dependable, caring, accepting, and a loyal friend to them. His reading buddies will remember him for a lifetime.”

Tinner encourages others to consider volunteering with Lead to Read KC. He says. “You can’t help but get excited when you think about all the potential good that can come from helping a child learn to read.”

There are so many ways for you to get involved like Stacy Tinner. Give your time as a Reading Mentor, donate money or resources, or help share our cause with your connections. Go to leadtoreadkc.org/ to get started.