As class sizes continue to increase, teachers have often found themselves struggling to grade student work and return it in a timely fashion. Conversely, students have sometimes been frustrated with the limited feedback or the delayed return of their completed work. The school has taken steps to take out both problems with one stone in the form of readers, individuals hired as part-time teachers’ assistants to work with teachers to help grade papers and lighten their workload.

The official duties of readers include assisting teachers in correcting assignments and offering students feedback on their work. According to Assistant Principal Morenike O’Neal, the district is looking to hire readers specializing in English, social studies and science.

Since the program only started this year, the district is still looking to fill 10 reader slots. Currently, there are only two readers who have begun working at the school, with a third scheduled to begin work in January.

Alex Lira is one of the hired readers and works as an English tutor in the Tutorial Center on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

He also grades objective assignments for teachers. Although readers will eventually be designated to specific departments, Lira has been filling in as a utility reader, grading work for chemistry and Spanish in addition to his tutoring duties.

“I help kids with English essays, college essays and help grade tests and objective assignments where there is a right or wrong answer,” Lira said.

Senior Li Pi is one of the beneficiaries of Lira’s presence.

“He read my UC application,” Li said. “He was really helpful because he corrected grammar mistakes and awkward sentences. And I was able to bounce ideas off him.”