A Note from the Daughter of WITS Co-founder, Joanne Alter

Jennifer Alter WardenDecember 29, 2021Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes

As a current board member and the daughter of WITS co-founder, Joanne Alter, I am admittedly biased, but I am continually impressed with the organization’s welcoming approach to change. I … Read More

Happy Holidays from WITS!

Erin ToaleDecember 21, 2021Books, Diversity Initiatives, Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes, Programs

WITS is officially closed for Winter Break and will reopen on January 4, 2022. During the time off, we here at WITS do a lot of reading! We want to … Read More

WITS at 30: Rochelle Lee Teacher Award

Erin ToaleDecember 20, 2021Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes, Teachers

Working in the Schools (WITS) began in a single classroom in 1991. The founders’ intent: to provide in-person, one-on-one literacy mentoring to Chicago students. A second similarly-missioned commitment, spearheaded by Librarian … Read More

WITS – The largest provider of literacy programming

Tena LatonaDecember 10, 2021Mission & Outcomes, Support

WITS began in a single classroom in 1991. Today we are the largest provider of literacy programming to teachers and students in Chicago Public Schools. There was a moment over … Read More

Native American Heritage Month

Erin ToaleNovember 24, 2021Books, Diversity Initiatives, Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes

November is National Native American Heritage Month. The Library of Congress site is a great starting point for finding virtual events, online art exhibitions, and classroom resources. Native American Heritage … Read More

What Our Students Need Is Us

Tena LatonaSeptember 27, 2021In the Media, Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes

Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the third largest school district in the country, is just about one month into the 2021 – 2022 school year. Students have returned to classrooms after … Read More

Social Justice in the Classroom: How Teachers Inspire Students to be Heroes

Laurie BrooksSeptember 24, 2021Diversity Initiatives, Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes

Ask teachers to describe the impact they hope to have on their students, and most will say something along these lines: I want my students to grow into responsible citizens. … Read More

The Virtual Program Year

Delaney EarleyJuly 19, 2021Books, Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes, Programs

The 2020-2021 WITS Virtual Program year brought together students and volunteers for shared reading, mentorship, and community building. These are the staples of a traditional WITS program! Each week, students … Read More

Fiscal Year 2020 in Review

Tena LatonaJune 30, 2021Mission & Outcomes, Support

This fiscal year, we did it. That is the headline and the bottom line.  It came with some bumps and bruises, a lot of lessons, some new tricks up our … Read More

Juneteenth Community Programs, Teaching Guides, & Anti-Racism Resources

Erin ToaleJune 18, 2021Diversity Initiatives, Events, Inside WITS, Mission & Outcomes, Partnerships

Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19, which is the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas got word that they were free. President Joe Biden signed the … Read More