Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings;--Proverbs 22:29, NIV 

I have many hours towards a Masters of Arts in Education, and over 30 years' experience teaching. But you don't have to have these to help your students be a P.O.W.E.R.* Reader!

What is a P.O.W.E.R.* Reader? It is a reader who knows strategies for success in "Purposeful Operations With Eternal Rewards"! (This is a term the LORD gave me years ago for my book series, The Adventures of Princess Pearl, P.O.W.E.R.* Girl!) 

1. Start them reading on positive things, not just educational things, and preferably openly inspiring about God. Take all the liberty you have--and make some! "The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, and all the peoples therein," states Psalm 24:1 in God's Word.

Do not fear to use Christian works to share with your students. For instance, when I taught Piano Lab to about 350 5 and 6 graders (averaging 85 or so every 9 weeks) at a large public middle school, I added plenty of hymns to the sheet music mix. They were allowed to choose what they wanted to learn to play, and most of them chose at least one hymn! 

I also use a large percentage of Christian works when I teach English Language Arts (ELA) to my online students. The platforms for which I teach explicitly state in the contract(s) that, as a tutor, I have complete freedom to use whatever materials I deem appropriate. The LORD opened my eyes to this one day, and inspired me to use more blatantly Christian materials. After all, this world is crazy, the kids are often at a disadvantage, and we true Believers have the Answer--Jesus Christ, the Living Word!

I often use poems, stories, articles, songs, etc., about God when I teach small groups (1:10) online as I go into public schools, which I'm doing through June this year. I even have them read some of my works, and tell them how the LORD inspired me to write the poem, or story, etc. I remind them that, if I can write a poem at age 10 and have it published and even earn money (True--in 1976, for Grit Magazine!)

So go for it! The LORD's got your back, and He will guide you. 

2. Have your students write three or more positive sentences about themselves, then read them out loud. If they can’t think of anything, you help them, i.e., “Mara learns quickly. She is very respectful. She is creative and helpful!” Have them read those things out loud.

Not only will the physical and psyiological act of writing benefit them, but focusing on positive things about themselves and reading them out loud will affirm their identity and confidence. 

When I taught fourth grade math and English--where the lunches were 100% free, because of the rate of poverty in the area--I would have the students say 7 short affirmations out loud as a group (in unison, which is very powerful for many reasons), first thing every morning. The students were eager to lead. When my electronic whiteboard went out (and the school refused to repair it, for some reason!), I was so blessed! The kids had memorized these affirmations in their hearts, and they continued to take turns leading their peers to say them every morning, even without seeing them on the board. Hallelujah!

3. Teach them to look for a tiny real word in the big unfamiliar word. Make it a treasure hunt! Often, they will find one, like "cat" in "categorize," and "our" in "devoured," and the smaller word hidden in the big one will help them with the pronunciation; sometimes, with the meaning. One example of the latter is "repeatedly," where it's easy for the students to spot "repeat" as the root word, and then infer what "repeatedly" means. 

4. Remember that almost every word in English must have at least one vowel in every syllable/beat. (A couple of exceptions, as my dear, detail-oriented husband pointed out, are “schism” and “prism".) To help the students understand the number of syllables/beats in words, especially unfamiliar, longer words, I clap my hands so they can hear and see it, and have them repeat the word untill they get it right, in pronunciation--including the right stress on the right syllable(s). 

As Harry Wong is often quoted, "Teachers are the sculptors of the human race."

I agree, but God said it first: "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it."--Proverbs 22:6, AMPC

Go for it. The kids need you, and God will help you! You can do this!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.