RETIRED Gooseberry Hill school teacher 86-year-old Beverley Morris has been a beacon of hope and support in City of Swan and Perth Hills communities since joining Read Write Now in 1993 where her passion for education has made a lasting impact over the past 32 years.

Mrs Morris’s dedication shines through in her work with numerous students and adult learners, and one of her most remarkable success stories involves a student recovering from a brain operation in 2017.

Although his reading comprehension was fine, he needed to regain the skill of reading again, so she started with phonics, using bigger print and less text on a page.

They chose Dr Seuss books, which he could later read to his four-year-old daughter, and starting with just a few pages at a time, they gradually increased the amount of text as his confidence and skills improved.

Even during the pandemic, they never missed a lesson, with Beverley adapting their sessions by leaving homework and exercises in the garage and conducting tutoring sessions over the phone.

They used a variety of reading materials, from Dr Seuss to Anh Doh’s Happiest Refugee.

Today, her student is employed again, thanks to her unwavering support.

Mrs Morris remains actively involved in various community activities and was one of the founding members of the Kalamunda Learning Centre, and her story is a testament to the power of volunteerism and community spirit.

Read Write Now is a free adult literacy service that has been helping Western Australians improve their literacy skills since 1977.

The program offers one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing, maths, study, and basic computer skills.

For more information about the free service contact 1800 018 807.