An essential part of the WITS mission is to help students build at-home libraries and foster a love of reading outside of the classroom. Through the WITS Summer Books initiative, … Read More
Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Classroom
There are over 70,000 Chicago Public School students who are classified as English Learners (ELs), which categorizes students as those who come from non-English speaking homes and are actively learning … Read More
A Message from Ekta Panchal, 3rd Grade Teacher
Hello! My name is Ekta Panchal. I am an intermediate teacher on the West Side of Chicago. I grew up on the North Side, and have always seen myself contributing … Read More
The Power of Universal Design in Education
Often, equitable and accessible practices and structures are implemented reactively. When oversights and missed opportunities for inclusion are identified, upgrades and changes are made to address the issues. In the … Read More
How to be a WITS All-star Fundraiser
Every spring, the WITS community comes together to raise money in support of the WITSummer Books campaign. Our Board of Directors, Associates Board, and other community members create peer-to-peer fundraising … Read More
WITS Beginnings: A Story from Founding Volunteer Ginny Carlson
Editor’s note: Ginny and Roger Carlson are long-time WITS supporters and volunteers. As WITS CEO Tena Latona espoused in 2020, “As the CEO of an organization you hope for Board … Read More
WITS – The largest provider of literacy programming
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
2021 Alter & Stone Volunteer of the Year Award: WITS Associates Board
For WITS’ 30th Anniversary Gala, we are excited to present the Alter & Stone Volunteer of the Year Award to the WITS Associates Board (formerly Junior Board). This award is a … Read More
Support WITS 30th Anniversary this Giving Tuesday
Working in the Schools (WITS) was founded on the idea that in-person, one-on-one literacy mentorship shapes how K-8th grade Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students feel about school, themselves, and their future. We believe that connecting … Read More
WITS began in a single classroom in 1991
WITS began in a single classroom. When founders, Joanne Alter and Marion Stone, asked a neighborhood educator what they could do to most benefit her students, the answer was simple: … Read More
