ACED and The Women of Ateneo bring "Helping Children Read" program to Dapitan and Dipolog City

The Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) brought the Helping Children Read program to Dapitan City and Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte through their local government units in partnership with The Women of Ateneo on 22 November 2025.

The partners gathered 66 teachers and volunteers for a session titled "Training in Helping Children Read." The session was guided by the book Guide for Helping Children Read, which serves as the primary resource during supplemental reading tutorials for struggling readers.

Participants consistently shared that the training strengthened their readiness to serve as reading facilitators. Many valued the new strategies, clear processes, and deeper understanding of how young learners develop reading skills. Several mentioned feeling more confident, equipped, and motivated to guide struggling readers, while others highlighted the structured approaches that make reading instruction more purposeful and effective.

In the post-session evaluation, the majority of participants provided highly positive feedback. They described the sessions as helpful, engaging, and practical, noting that they now feel equipped with strategies they can immediately apply in their schools. The overall sentiment reflected gratitude and satisfaction with the tools and insights gained.

Prior to the training, many thought helping children read simply meant giving materials, teaching letters and sounds, or providing encouragement. After the program, their understanding broadened significantly. Participants realized that helping children read requires intentional strategies, careful diagnosis, step-by-step teaching, and a deeper awareness of learners’ needs and differences. Several noted that it involves commitment, patience, and consistent support, not just basic instruction. Overall, the training reshaped their perspective toward a more holistic, compassionate, and structured approach to improving learners’ reading abilities. 

After the training, Hon Evelyn T Uy, Mayor of Dapitan City, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to ACED and The Women of Ateneo.

"Thank you Irma Cecilio (member of The Women of Ateneo) for introducing Ateneo Center for Educational Development to Dapitan and Dipolog City," Mayor Uy sad. "The most important message was delivered very well by nurturing the values of the teachers and their desire to become good teachers. Everyone participated and stayed until the program ended. I cannot express my admiration more to Rowena Andrada (retired AGS teacher and ACED’s Resource Speaker) and the group."