February 17, 2006
by Kelly Richardson
Local Education Columnist
In a poignant interview with ABC's program 20/20, Fantasia Barrino, star of American Idol, revealed that she is functionally illiterate. Dropping out of high school at age 17 as an unwed mother, Barrino never learned the skills she needed from her teacher to be able to read. According to Barrino, this has caused innumerable problems throughout her life that were reinforced when she achieved American Idol fame. Here are the details on this growing problem that Fantasia was forced to tackle head on.
Teacher Needed for Barrino
- Missing Out. Barrino revealed that not being able to read was keeping her from reading bedtime stories to her 4-year-old daughter, an extremely frustrating situation for a mother.
- The Trap. The American Idol star told 20/20 that being illiterate kept her "in a box" most of her life.
- Getting Help. Barrino is now learning to read through the help of a teacher and tutors. She would eventually like to earn her degree.
Fantasia Barrino is not the only American who is functionally illiterate and in need of a good reading teacher. There are millions of people who can't read. Become a teacher and you can be the saving grace for these people. Now that Fantasia lives and works in New York, she has brought the value of a good teacher into the spotlight in this thriving city.
New York, New York for a Teacher Degree
- Child Study Reading Center. This New York reading resource has trained teachers to be able to help children get ahead.
- New York City Teacher Center Consortium. This is another excellent resource to help you earn your teacher degree.
If you are concerned about the plight of millions of Americans who can't read or write, consider studying in New York, New York to earn your teaching degree.
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About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in a variety of respected educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.
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